North Miami

The colorful exteriors of homes in Breezeswept Estates add a vibrancy you can feel when moving around the neighborhood. Bright oranges, blues and yellows pop out among the backdrop of neat, green lawns and paved driveways. “That’s pretty much Miami as a whole,” says Debbie Cilli, a Realtor with Re/Max Select Group. “Anywhere in Miami, we have color.” Homes here sit among the shade of tall palms and leafy trees. Sidewalks follow the uniform pattern of the streets, allowing residents to walk to their neighbors' houses and kids to bike to the park. Breezeswept Estates is an “established community,” Cilli says, compared to newer high-rise neighborhoods on the coast that have only been around for 20 years. “It’s very residential. We deal a lot in terms of school zones,” she adds. Housing options cover a mix of styles and prices. While many were built decades ago, some homes stand in original condition and others have been fully updated. A three-bedroom, three-bath single-level house can list at $600,000 in an as-is condition, whereas a remodeled three-bedroom, three-bath house with open concept living can sell for $1.3 million. Capri Gardens Condominiums, a gated community that offers amenities like a workout room and pool tables, offers buyers with a lower price range one-bedroom condos starting at $165,000. At Gratigny Elementary School, students can receive free help with their homework online Mondays through Thursdays, a service available to all students within the Miami-Dade County School District. North Miami Middle School offers a magnet program in communications that focuses on digital journalism, broadcasting and graphic design. North Miami Senior High School also offers several magnet programs for students, including ones focused on engineering, finance, health sciences and firefighting. All three schools receive a C rating from Niche. Take your toddlers to Breezeswept Tot Lot, a small park in the southeast corner of the neighborhood that offers younger kids a place to play on slides, a jungle gym and monkey bars, and benches where parents can rest. Griffing Park is a bit larger, and hosts space for picnics in a pavilion or at tables under trees. Its main feature is a large green space, well-suited for relaxing activities such as lounging with a book, laying out in the sun, or playing fetch with your dog. Griffing Park is also home to the North Miami Veterans Tribute Tower, a clock tower and fountain that honors military service members in the community. When it comes time to find a good bite to eat, try the traditionally homemade calzones, stromboli or lasagna at Mamma Jennie’s Italian Restaurant, a family-owned North Miami spot that also hosts specialty brunches and holiday parties. For spicier fare, try the Haitian and Creole dishes at Au Bon Gout, or order from the extensive menu at Chung Wah Chinese Food. Retail shopping is limited in the neighborhood, save for the expansive Goodwill Superstore on West Dixie Highway. Be Fresh Supermarket offers a basic array of groceries and household goods; larger national retailers like Target and Costco are a 15-minute drive east on Route 1.

Sans Souci Estates sits on Biscayne Bay at the edge of North Miami. Many of its residents live within the guarded gates of the community, in waterfront homes with Spanish and midcentury modern influences. “These are high-end homes,” says Jeff Tomlinson, owner and CEO of Tomlinson Realty Group, who has worked in the area for 35 years and sold over 1,000 homes. Initially built in the 1950s, the neighborhood is welcoming new developments and residents. “There’s a lot of young people with kids who’ve come in the last five years,” Tomlinson says. These kids can play at Alfred Besade Park and attend Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Within the guarded gates of Sans Souci, homes with large driveways are decorated with tropical landscaping that extend to the roads, while private pools and docks fill backyards. Ranch-style and two-story homes with Spanish and midcentury modern influences line the streets. Although many homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s, Tomlinson says, “there’s a lot of development going on.” Non-waterfront properties typically fall between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, while waterfront properties start around $3.2 million and can exceed $20 million. Horseshoe driveways and green lawns with tropical trees line the roads outside of the community’s guarded gates. Ranch-style homes from the mid-20th century typically cost between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. Two-bedroom townhouses and condominiums are beyond the gates, with waterfront ones falling between $650,000 and $750,000 and non-waterfronts costing between $450,000 and $550,000. North Bayshore Park features a dog park where the furry friends of Sans Souci can run around, and anglers can use the park’s pier and fish cleaning station. On the other end of the neighborhood is Alfred Besade Park, which includes a picnic area and playground where families can spend their day. Nearby is the Penny Sugarman Tennis Center at Sans Souci, locally known as the Sans Souci Tennis Center. Lessons are available for players of all ages and experience levels. “You get a discount as a resident,” Tomlinson says. With direct access to Biscayne Bay, many residents enjoy boating and fishing. Besides selling homes in the area, Tomlinson is a resident of Sans Souci Estates and a member of the entertainment committee of the Sans Souci Gated Voluntary Homeowners Organization. The HOA holds neighborhood events, including a Halloween party with food trucks and fun for all ages. Tomlinson organizes an annual street party that should be returning in 2024, with themed meals and live music. Residents also travel to the city for events, including the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Jazz Concerts, held on the last Friday of every month. Several restaurants and stores are in Sans Souci and the surrounding area. The locally owned Alexander Greek Taverna sits at the top of the neighborhood, while chains such as Panera Bread are close to U.S. Route 1. People can travel farther into North Miami for more dining options, including Captain Jim’s Seafood Market and Restaurant, which is about 2 miles away and recommended by Tomlinson. “You’re talking about conch fritters, conch steak – stuff you don’t get unless you go down to Key West,” he says. “It’s a fantastic place.” People get groceries from Publix and Whole Foods, about 1 mile from the neighborhood, or Costco, about 2 miles away. Home Depot is in Sans Souci, and Walmart is about a 4-mile drive. As part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, students can start at the David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Center, which receives a B from Niche. They can stay there through eighth grade or apply to one of the magnet programs at North Miami Middle School, including the Museums Magnet program. The school partners with local museums to teach students through interactive learning. Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus earns a B-plus and offers dual enrollment through the nearby Florida International University. U.S. Route 1 borders the neighborhood and brings drivers into the heart of Miami, about 10 miles away. North Miami plans to put a bike lane along Sans Souci Boulevard at the top of the neighborhood. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International Airports are about 12 miles away. Miami offers more than 170 nonstop flights across the U.S. and some international destinations. The gates of Sans Souci Estates are protected by police security, which Tomlinson credits as a big attraction for the neighborhood. “People want security,” he says. Because Sans Souci sits on the bay, residents can find more security in their homes by purchasing flood insurance, which is recommended for all homes and required for those with federally backed mortgages. There is a 1% annual chance of flooding, Tomlinson reports that the neighborhood does not flood in most category two and three hurricanes.