Miramar

Tucked into the westernmost edge of Miramar, you can find peace and quiet in the guard-gated suburbs of Harbour Lake Estates.<br> <br>Residents here are welcomed home every day by the community's beautifully landscaped entry and exit way, where lush medians boast towering palm trees that divide opposing lanes of traffic, letting deep hues of the green flora and blue sky blur by the car window before residents are waved in by the neighborhood's friendly security guards. There's only one way in and out of Harbour Lake Estates, limiting street traffic and noise. Privacy and serenity are taken seriously by the folks and families that live here.<br> <br>Harbour Lake's glittering waters lie at the heart of this neighborhood, loosely looped by Harbour Lake Estate's single road, providing the majority of houses with gorgeous waterfront views from the backyard. Many homeowners have installed pools, creating lovely entertainment spaces further enriched by the lakeside ambiance and tropical flora. Like most subdivisions located this far west in South Florida, Harbour Lake Estates was originally built in the early 2000s, making these houses much newer than those farther east. Harbour Lake Estates proper is not a community for those looking for two- or three-bedroom ranch-style homes — although, those can be found due north in the adjacent Encantada community. Instead, Harbour Lake Estates predominately comprises grand bilevel Spanish Revivals with arches, stucco siding and terracotta barrel roof tiles. Typically, these properties have at least four bedrooms and at most six. Prices range from the mid-$800,000s to around $1.3 million. While the Encantada community also features similar estate-style homes, they have smaller ranch-style residences as well, allowing prices there to start in the low $700,000s.<br> <br>Aside from gorgeous homes, safety and a relaxing environment, one more thing consistently draws people to this side of Miramar: excellent schooling options. Local students can embark on their academic career just over a mile from home at the nearby Sunset Lakes Elementary School, rated with an A-minus on Niche. Alternatively, students may attend the City of Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School, also rated with an A-minus on Niche. From there, they can enroll at Glades Middle, rated with a B-plus on Niche, or the City of Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School, rated with an A-minus on Niche. Finally, students may graduate from the last stop of their K-12 journey: Everglades High. This high school has an A-minus rating on Niche and offers enrollment to the FBI Youth Academy, which educates students on the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and allows them to connect with special agents from the Miami Division field office.<br> <br>As for green space, Harbour Lake Park sits right outside Harbour Lake Estates proper; there's even a paved pathway connecting it to the neighborhood. Perfect for playdates, picnics and breaking a sweat, this pocket park has a playground and exercise trail. <br> <br>Down the street from the park and just past Sunset Lakes Elementary, the Shops at Sunset Lakes are home to convenient retailers, like Publix, and delectable local eateries, such as Marbella's Pizza — which surprisingly features a killer Philly cheesesteak — and the Bean Jar.<br> <br>Not too far from major highway Interstate 75 and main thoroughfare Miramar Parkway, Harbour Lake Estates offers quiet suburban living with gorgeous landscaping and stunning lakeside views.

Miramar Isles began as a small development designed to be a “bedroom community” for nearby Miami and Fort Lauderdale in the early 1950s. Miramar itself would later become a city, expanding its boundaries west as folks opted for its central location. As the city’s original neighborhood, Miramar Isles continues to represent all that is great about the era in which this community was born. Traffic is light, houses are mostly one-story ranchers and lawns are neatly trimmed. While the city has grown up and out, Miramar Isles remains a shining example of how one classic suburban neighborhood continues to impress. According to Victor Cruz, the ranch-style homes of Miramar Isles were “built to last.” The Realtor and broker is a Miami local, operating out of Miami Home Brokers Realty. Many homes he shows boast Spanish Revival features, including stucco archways or small verandas, ideal for residents looking to bask in the Miami heat. These properties were among the first to use backyards as additional living space with patio furniture and kidney-shaped pools. Many have carports or attached garages, too. Single-family homes list for between $400,000 and $600,000. “Compare that to million-dollar properties in newer gated communities, and you must admire the ingenuity and economy that went into the neighborhood’s development,” Cruz says. Potential buyers can also peruse a handful of townhome communities, including Woodscape and Positano. Cleveland Smith has been making homemade ice cream for more than 40 years, a Jamaican native who opened his shop in the Miramar Shopping Center just a few years back. Cleveland’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream offers unique flavors inspired by global cultures, each personally mixed by Cleveland himself. Next door, residents of Miramar Isles can find daily provisions at Key Food Supermarket or head across the parkway to find a Publix and Family Dollar. The area is also packed with Haitian and soul food joints, like La Paix Bakery. This family-owned and operated Haitian bakery crafts authentic Caribbean pastries with a true customer-first mindset. Poohchello’s is situated just outside the Woodscape townhome community, serving up southern favorites like fried snapper, conch and collard greens. Located just 6 miles east, the city of Miramar plays host to various internationally-inspired events throughout the year. The Afro Carib Festival “is where Black History Month meets Reggae Month,” inviting guests to experience musical genres from the Caribbean and African Diaspora. The Latin Music Festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Grammy-nominated musicians and some of South Florida’s most delicious Latin food vendors. In June, Taste of the Caribbean Islands features Caribbean food, music, local artists and highlighted authors. Meanwhile, the July 4th Celebration occurs each year at Miramar Regional Park with a DJ, food trucks and novelty vendors. Local families have options when it comes to schooling in Miramar. Students can begin at Miramar Elementary, which earns a B-minus on Niche or head to Annabel C. Perry School, which earns a C and enrolls prekindergarten through eighth grade. Miramar High houses two magnet programs: an Aviation program with courses ranging from airport management to drone technology, and an International Baccalaureate program. Outside of the standard public school pipeline, Somerset Academy East Prep is a charter school with a B-minus on Niche, and St. Bartholomew Catholic School is unrated but provides low student-to-teacher ratios and hands-on service-learning projects. After school, there are plenty of opportunities for recreation around Miramar Isles. Wellman Field offers ball fields, though additional fees may apply to sports leagues looking to rent out the space. The Historic Miramar Aquatic Center is a hub for local swim meets, flaunting a large outdoor pool and children’s play area with interactive water features. Shirley Branca Park is famously home to the Pop ‘N Shop at Branca, where local vendors gather every third Saturday to display handmade arts and crafts. Fans of hiking and bird watching can hit up Snake Warrior’s Island Natural Area, while kids might enjoy the 10,000-square-foot gymnasium at the Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center. Residents can rely on Miramar Parkway to reach Hollywood’s beach or head into Miramar City, 6 miles west. Florida’s Turnpike extends 12 miles north to Fort Lauderdale—Hollywood International Airport. HCA Florida University Hospital rests in the same area, 9 miles north of Miramar Isles. The turnpike meets Interstate 95 to the south, making for an 18-mile commute into Downtown Miami. Folks can take South State Road 7 as an alternative to the turnpike if needed. Northwest 215th Street is another nearby thoroughfare, joining Ronald Reagan Turnpike to reach the Everglades. Broward County Transit bus stops can be found along Miramar Parkway, Northwest 215th Street and South State Road 7.

Move around Miramar Park and one might just feel like they’ve been transported back into a Mayberry-era enclave. “You see a lot of kids playing. They’re riding their bikes. It feels suburban,” says local Realtor Melissa Carbonell of the Melissa Carbonell Group. “All the kids are out. People are out washing their cars.” This section of the City of Miramar facilitates that kind of atmosphere, full of gated communities and tranquil residential streets, orbiting around an expansive neighborhood asset in the almost 160-acre Miramar Pineland Park. And it all comes a relative stone’s throw from multiple important transportation arteries and the 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. This neighborhood offers not just seclusion, thanks to its gated communities, but also variety. “Just depending on budget and what you’re looking for,” says local Realtor James Rhodes of United Realty Group, who has over a dozen years of experience. Local Realtor James Rhodes of United Realty Group notes that buyers here can get into this area for around $235,000, for a condo. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, Miramar Park offers traditional single-family homes topping out at over $600,000. Most of the options in this area, across the board, were built in the late 20th century. However, there are some newer developments here as well, with homes built well after the turn of the century — the “Waterview” subdivision is an example. “That’s definitely a popular one,” says Carbonell, who has lived in South Florida for almost two decades. “And you can still get in there in the $500,000s. Which is not easy.” In general, listings in Miramar Park tend to get swiped up quickly, sometimes in just a week depending on the price, Carbonell says. “Newer construction communities that are gated that are still affordable for the middle- and upper-middle class,” Carbonell says, describing part of Miramar Park’s appeal. “It’s so hard to find something like that if you get too far east. I feel like Miramar has a perfect suburban feel.” The Broward County Public Schools system serves kids in the Miramar Park area, a district that carries a B-plus overall grade on Niche. BCPS, one of the country's biggest school districts, allows students and their families to apply for the schools of their choice. But options in the Miramar Park zone include the B-minus-rated Sea Castle Elementary, which offers both before- and afterschool care. Students can then move on to the C-rated New Renaissance Middle, where elective options include a computer applications and robotics course and another in speech and debate. Miramar High, a school with a B-minus grade, is next and offers dedicated programs on aviation and culinary arts. Though Miramar Park is mainly residential, much of the neighborhood is bounded by the thoroughfares of Miramar Parkway, Florida’s Turnpike and Ronald Reagan Turnpike. The stretches ease commutes to some of the other cities in the region. “For work commutes, you can get anywhere from there,” Carbonell says. Florida’s Turnpike, for example, can take drivers up toward Hollywood, just under 10 miles away. Hialeah is roughly 20 miles south, when using Ronald Reagan Turnpike to connect with Interstate 75. And Florida’s Turnpike links with I-95 for commutes to Miami, also just under 20 miles away. Also, Miramar Parkway is lined with several stops in the Broward County Transit bus system. Rhodes believes one of the draws to Miramar Park is that people enjoy the family atmosphere here. The neighborhood’s crime score is just slightly above the national average, according to the CAP Index. And the atmosphere is boosted by the outdoor attractions locals can get out and take advantage of. The neighborhood is dotted with multiple parks, anchored by the almost 157-acre Miramar Pineland Park — a spot where area kids can cool off at the splash pad and where people of all ages can peruse the nature trail through the wetlands. Or anglers can go enjoy the 8-acre River Run Park to the north, where there’s a pier along a pond. Hoopers have spots like Sheraton Park at their disposal, which includes a full-size basketball court. Locals can head to the neighborhood’s Miramar Parkway Plaza here to take care of some of the retail and dining needs. The shopping complex features a couple of grocers in Presidente Supermarket and Sam’s West Indian Store, plus eateries like La Belle Jacmelienne Cafe. The cafe is a hit for Haitian food, including its griot. People can also head a bit farther up University Drive to stop in Walmart or Sam’s Club. Some of Miramar’s annual traditions double as a celebration of culture. The Afro Carib Festival is a February concert with multiple acts held at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, just under 10 miles from Miramar Park, described by the city as a blend of Black History Month and Reggae Month. Rhythms of Africa is a two-day music festival with even more performers, that takes place in March at Miramar Cultural Center, about 5 miles from the neighborhood. Latin Music Festival, in September at Miramar Amphitheater, includes multiple performers as well. And sports fans can head down to Hard Rock Stadium, just a couple of miles away, for both Dolphins and University of Miami football games throughout the fall.

In Miramar Patio Homes, residents find a neighborhood dappled with lakes and ponds. And with its location right off Ronald Reagan Turnpike, Miramar Patio Homes is less than 20 miles from the sunny beaches of South Florida. “One of the big draws for residents is the weather,” says Belinda Sime, Owner and Realtor Associate of Sime Realty Corporation, who was born and raised here, and currently resides in the Miami area. “You don’t have to wear coats in the winter when cool for us is like 60 degrees.” Miami is 20 miles away and is home to many major employers for residents in the area, such as the Miami International Airport and the Hard Rock Stadium. The Memorial Hospital Miramar is another large employer in the neighborhood. The area’s streets are lined with townhomes and large traditional houses with Spanish-revival architecture, ranging from $490,000 to $740,000. “Luxury real estate is what draws people to the area,” Sime says. Most homes have proximity and are surrounded by tall, palm trees. Some residents live in the Haven Lake Estates, a private community of mobile homes that range from $75,000 to $180,000, located off Northwest 202nd Street. Kids can attend Coral Cove Elementary School, which has a B from Niche, before advancing to New Renaissance Middle, which has a C. The middle school offers magnet programs that help prepare students for college-level courses. Curious minds may advance to Everglades High, which has a graduation rate of 99% and an A-minus from Niche. The school has an engineering program called Project RED, which stands for Rigorous Engineering and Design. Florida International University is 20 miles away, while The University of Miami is 25 miles away. Miramar Regional Park is a popular outdoor destination, as it has a waterpark, a picnic area, and two playgrounds for children. Water lovers can use the boating docks at Miramar Park. “Boating is a big activity here,” says Sime. “People are always close to the water.” The park also hosts annual events like the Easter egg hunt and the 4th of July fireworks show. The area also holds weekend concerts at its amphitheater. This community is also home to Vizcaya Park, a local recreational space with soccer fields and basketball courts. Pembroke Lakes Golf offers residents an 18-hole golf course, a tennis court, and a restaurant. Residents use the Ronald Reagan Turnpike to get in and out of town. The Broward County Transit offers public transportation by bus for those who need it. People can take business flights at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, which is 9 miles away. For vacations, the Miami International Airport is 23 miles away. Residents can shop for groceries at Sprouts Farmers Market, located in the Miramar Square center, or visit Home Depot on 167th Street to improve their homes or workspaces. Locals sit down for lunch or dinner at The Licking, a soul-food spot in Miramar Square. Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill offers residents an eclectic, family-friendly restaurant. Residents visit AMF Pembroke Pines Lanes for a competitive game of bowling, and AMC Pembroke Lakes 9 for the newest blockbuster movies. More fun can be found in Miami, which is roughly a 40-minute drive away. People can visit popular destinations like the Zoo Miami, the historic Venetian Pool, and Bayside Marketplace.

Private residential community in the heart of Miramar Rows of palm trees and an arched guard gate lead into the residential community of Nautica, located in Miramar, Florida. In 2001, inspired by southern Spain’s Mediterranean architecture, developers created this community of condominiums, townhouses and medium to large single-family homes. Organized around two lakes, many Nautica homes come with views of the water and the peacocks and herons that like to frolic there. Community amenities provide entertainment and exercise through a party at the clubhouse, a dip in the pool or a game of tennis on the neighborhood courts. Residents don’t have to stray far to enjoy the shops and restaurants that border the neighborhood. For a taste of South Florida’s big cities, Fort Lauderdale and Miami are 28 miles away in either direction. Colorful, Spanish-style homes in Nautica Nautica’s single-family homes are centralized, while townhouses and condos are located on the east and west sides of the neighborhood. Built in the early 2000s, Spanish-style homes are prevalent with red-tile roofs and textured stucco facades. Nautica properties range from 1,200 square feet to over 3,000 square feet and often come in orange and yellow tones. Modest front lawns have short grass and Florida foliage like palm trees. Residents take advantage of low-traffic streets with sidewalks. “Inside the community, you can bike, walk all around with your pets – It’s very safe,” says Rochy Carpio, Realtor with Caba Real Estate. Prices range from $465,000 for three-bedroom townhouses to $900,000 for five-bedroom waterfront properties. Broward County schools get top marks Nautica is near three Broward County school schools earning a B-plus grade or above from Niche. “Nautica is very family-oriented because there are very good schools – that’s one of the main reasons why people want to live there,” says Carpio, who has been selling homes in South Florida for 23 years. Located inside the neighborhood, Dolphin Bay Elementary School gets a B-plus. Just outside, Glades Middle School also gets a B-plus. Older students may attend Everglades High School, which earns an A-minus. It provides specialized programs for engineering aerospace, and health sciences. Everglades High’s FBI Youth Academy prepares students who want to work for the Bureau after college. Locals play at Miramar Regional Park Miramar Regional Park has 173 acres of recreation right next door to Nautica. Fields for soccer, football, baseball and a children’s playground provide exercise and fun. The Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater is a 5,000-seat venue inside the park for music and cultural events. The Aquatic Complex provides respite from hot Florida summers with a swimming pool and splash pad. Locals can participate in various programs offered through Miramar, including athletic programs, aquatic classes, recreational activities like video game tournaments and spring, summer and winter camps for kids. About 6 miles away, Miramar Cultural Center is a hub for entertainment and education with an 800-seat theater, botanical garden, banquet hall, dance studio and more. Nautica is within walking distance of shops and restaurants Shopping and dining are within walking distance for some Nautica residents at shopping centers north of the neighborhood. Target, Winn-Dixie and Home Depot are nearby for groceries and supplies, while Marshalls and Ross have clothes and home décor. Locals have plenty of restaurants from which to choose. Chain restaurants such as Chipotle, Panera Bread and Benihana are located in the adjacent plaza, as are local establishments. El Fogón is a family-owned Peruvian restaurant serving traditional recipes like ceviche. City of Miramar celebrates the seasons Nautica brings neighbors together for a community barbecue toward the end of each year. For more festivities, Nautica residents can participate in special events through Miramar. The city celebrates throughout the year with an Afro Carib Festival in February, Halloween festivities in October and a tree-lighting festival in December. I-75 connects with Miami, Fort Lauderdale Nautica residents hop on the adjacent I-75 to start their 28-mile drive to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. For medical services, Memorial Hospital Miramar is about 2 miles away, providing adult and children’s emergency departments. For a trip out of town, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is 28 miles away, and Miami International Airport is 21 miles away.

Just a few miles from the eastern edge of The Everglades and 25 miles from the beach, it’s not a lengthy journey to find waterfront property. It’s almost like being in the French Riviera. The comparison led to the neighborhood being called Riviera Isles, which is close to the community of Miramar and 26 miles northwest of downtown Miami. Homes in Riviera Isles are close to either the 225-acre Lake Riviera or the 375-acre Lake Sunset Falls. Off Bass Creek Road, just west of Interstate 75, is the gated entrance into Riviera Isles, consisting of over 1,300 homes surrounding Lake Riviera. The Riviera Isles Club House is the common area for recreation. “It’s a resort-style clubhouse with amenities like tennis courts, equipped gym and a jacuzzi,” says Chris Tello, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Partners Southwest with over 25 years of experience specializing in selling gated communities. “The homes here are strictly Mediterranean-style. You’re not going to find the typical modern contemporary here.” The price ranges from nearly $700,000 to $1.4 million, with the smallest homes around 2,300 square feet. Sunset Falls has almost 500 homes with a clubhouse with similar amenities. “The homes are all well-built and structurally sound with a foundation of concrete block,” Tello says. “The floors are built with a Hambro-like construction, which means that in multi-floor houses, you can’t hear any evidence of anybody on the upper level.” Monthly fees for use of the amenities range from $200 to $400. Three high-performing public schools in the Broward County Public School system are close to kids living in Riviera Isles. Two of them are in the neighborhood, including Glades Middle School, getting a B-plus on Niche. This school's students can participate in the Cambridge program, which stresses reading, writing, speaking, and listening and provides up to six high school credits. Everglades High School has an A-minus overall Niche grade and is within the Riviera Isles neighborhood. The football team's home field is behind the school, and periodic cheers may be heard on football Friday nights. Dolphin Bay Elementary School is a short bus ride away and gets a B-plus Niche grade. There are plenty of recreation options inside and surrounding both clubhouses in the housing developments. For recreation outside the community, the Miramar Regional Park has a large amphitheater with a capacity of nearly 4,000, with most of the seating under a large canopy. The space is used for concerts as well as food and wine festivals. The roughly 200-acre facility has multiple playgrounds, an aquatics complex, many athletic fields and a dog park. The Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area is 13 miles to the west and is at the eastern fringes of the Everglades region. The lack of lighting in the marshy area makes it ideal for night stargazing. It’s a short drive north to reach Miramar Parkway and experience the shopping choices, which become more numerous closer to I-75. Winn-Dixie is near Miramar Regional Park in a small shopping area with a Target. The Fountains of Miramar Shopping Center features The Home Depot, Marshalls, and HomeGoods. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings features a variety of pizza ingredient combinations, or you can create your own. Getting around within communities is made easier with the presence of sidewalks. Any exploration outside of the gated communities will require a car. The nearest Broward County Transit bus line is on Miramar Parkway. Getting to major airports will be at least a half-hour drive. Thirty-two minutes to Miami International Airport and 39 minutes to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. It’s between 15 and 20 miles to the Opa-locka or Hollywood Tri-Rail commuter train station.