The Miami Relocation Guide for Families

Miami has become one of the top destinations for family relocations, whether you are coming from the Northeast, California, or abroad. Favorable taxes, strong schools, world-class amenities, and a global culture make Greater Miami an attractive place to raise children.

This guide is designed for families considering a move to Miami. We will cover the best neighborhoods for families, a realistic breakdown of school options, key lifestyle factors, and practical advice from working with dozens of relocating families every year.

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Table of Contents

• Why Families Are Moving to Miami
• Top Neighborhoods for Families
  • Coral Gables
  • Coconut Grove
  • Key Biscayne
  • Pinecrest / South Miami
• Schools in Miami: What to Know
  • Private School Landscape
  • Public and Charter School Options
• Lifestyle and Culture for Families
• What About Condos?
• Working With The Lieberbaum Group

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Why Families Are Moving to Miami

Over the past few years, Miami has experienced an influx of families from high-tax states and international markets. What is driving this?

1. Tax advantages. Florida has no state income tax, no estate tax, and relatively modest property taxes compared to states like New York, California, or New Jersey. For high-earning families, the savings can be substantial, often exceeding six figures annually.

2. Quality of life. Year-round warm weather, beach access, outdoor recreation, and a thriving food and cultural scene make Miami a genuinely desirable place to live not just a tax play.

3. Increasingly strong schools. Miami's private school ecosystem has grown rapidly to meet demand. While the public school system can be uneven, families who do their research can find excellent options.

4. Safety in numbers. The relocation wave has brought a critical mass of similarly situated families, many from the same professional and social networks. For families moving from New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, there is often already a built-in community.

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Top Neighborhoods for Families

Miami is sprawling, and not every neighborhood suits families. Below are the top areas we recommend for relocating families, with a focus on safety, school access, community, and lifestyle.

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Coral Gables

Overview: Coral Gables is the most established and traditionally "family" neighborhood in Miami. Tree-lined streets, Mediterranean-revival architecture, walkable village centers, and a deep sense of community make it the default choice for many relocating families.

View Coral Gables neighborhood page

Housing: Predominantly single-family homes, ranging from older 1920s-1950s estates to new construction. Prices for updated family homes typically range from $2M-$8M+, with ultra-premium estates in gated communities like Gables Estates and Cocoplum reaching $20M+.

Schools: Coral Gables is home to many of Miami's top private schools, including Ransom Everglades (upper school campus), Gulliver Prep, and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Public options include Coral Gables Senior High (magnet programs) and several solid elementary options.

Lifestyle: Access to the Biltmore Hotel, Venetian Pool, Miracle Mile shopping, and a strong network of country clubs and youth sports leagues. Very much a "suburban" feel with easy access to Downtown, Brickell, and the airport.

Best for: Families prioritizing top-tier schools, a suburban atmosphere, and an established community.

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Coconut Grove

Overview: Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest neighborhood and has a distinct, bohemian-meets-affluent character. The Grove offers lush tree canopy, bayside parks, walkable village streets, and a mix of historic estates and newer luxury homes.

View Coconut Grove neighborhood page

Housing: A mix of historic single-family homes, gated waterfront estates, and some condo options for families who want less maintenance. Family home prices range from $1.5M for older, smaller homes to $15M+ for waterfront estates.

Schools: The Grove is close to Ransom Everglades (middle and lower school campuses), plus St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School and Carrollton's lower school. Public schools include Coconut Grove Elementary (well-regarded) and the MAST Academy magnet.

Lifestyle: Strong outdoor culture: sailing, kayaking, biking along the waterfront, and easy access to Kennedy Park and Peacock Park. The Grove's walkable village has restaurants, shops, and a farmers market. Slightly more eclectic and less formal than Coral Gables.

Best for: Families who want a strong community feel, walkability, proximity to the water, and a slightly more relaxed vibe.

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Key Biscayne

Overview: Key Biscayne is an island community off the coast of Miami, accessed via the Rickenbacker Causeway. It is one of the safest and most insulated places to raise a family in Miami, a true "island life" environment.

View Key Biscayne neighborhood page

Housing: A mix of single-family homes and oceanfront/bayfront condos. Single-family homes range from $2M-$20M+, and there are family-friendly condo buildings starting around $1M for older units. Land is limited, and inventory is tight.

Schools: Key Biscayne has solid public schools (Key Biscayne K-8 Center feeds into Coral Gables Senior High) and is close to MAST Academy. Many families on the Key send children to private schools on the mainland, including Ransom Everglades, Gulliver, and Carrollton.

Lifestyle: Beach clubs, tennis and sailing programs, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs state park, and a tight-knit, multigenerational community. Key Biscayne is quieter and more isolated than the mainland; that is a feature for some families and a drawback for others.

Best for: Families prioritizing safety, beach access, and a small-town island atmosphere, willing to accept longer commutes for work or school.

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Pinecrest / South Miami

Overview: Pinecrest and South Miami offer a more suburban, established feel with larger lots and mature landscaping. These areas are farther from the beach but provide excellent schools and a strong sense of community.

Housing: Predominantly single-family homes on larger lots. Prices range from $1M for smaller homes to $5M+ for large estates.

Schools: Home to Gulliver Prep's main campus and Palmetto Senior High (one of the top public high schools in Miami-Dade). Strong elementary options as well.

Lifestyle: Country clubs, youth sports, and a quieter, more traditional suburban experience. Easy access to Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, but less walkable and further from the urban core.

Best for: Families who want more space, strong public school options, and a traditional suburban lifestyle without paying Coral Gables or Key Biscayne premiums.

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Schools in Miami: What to Know

School quality is the top concern for most relocating families. Here is a realistic overview of the Miami school landscape.

Private School Landscape

Miami's private school market has exploded to meet demand from relocating families. Admission is competitive, especially for families arriving mid-year or seeking entry at popular grade levels.

Top-tier private schools include:

• Ransom Everglades (Coconut Grove / Coral Gables): Miami's most prestigious college-prep school, with an exceptional track record for university placement. Highly competitive admission.
• Gulliver Prep (Coral Gables / Pinecrest): Large, well-resourced K-12 campus with strong academics, athletics, and arts.
• Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Coconut Grove / Coral Gables): All-girls Catholic school, excellent academics and community.
• St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School (Coconut Grove): Smaller, close-knit Episcopal school for younger students.
• Palmer Trinity (Palmetto Bay): Strong college-prep option south of the core neighborhoods.
• Miami Country Day (North Miami): Well-established private school serving Pre-K through 12.

Tuition: Expect $30,000-$50,000+ per year for top private schools. Waitlists are common; families should apply early (sometimes a year or more in advance for competitive entry grades).

Public and Charter School Options

Miami-Dade public schools can be uneven, but there are excellent options if you know where to look:

• Magnet programs: Coral Gables Senior High, MAST Academy, and Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) offer strong magnet programs.
• High-performing neighborhood schools: Key Biscayne K-8 Center, Coconut Grove Elementary, and Sunset Elementary are well-regarded.
• Charter schools: Some families explore charter options like iPrep Academy or Archimedean Academy for STEM focus.

Tip: Research specific schools and feeder patterns before choosing a neighborhood. School quality can vary dramatically even within the same area.

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Lifestyle and Culture for Families

Miami offers a rich family lifestyle beyond academics:

• Outdoor activities: Year-round beach access, sailing, tennis, golf, and water sports are central to Miami family life. Youth sports leagues are strong, especially for tennis, swimming, and soccer.
• Cultural institutions: Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Frost Science Museum, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Zoo Miami offer excellent programming for children.
• Dining and entertainment: Miami's restaurant scene is world-class, with many family-friendly options across neighborhoods.
• Travel: Miami International Airport offers direct flights to nearly anywhere, making travel with children easy.

Social considerations: Miami's family culture is increasingly influenced by relocating families from the Northeast and internationally. You will find strong communities organized around schools, clubs, and synagogues/churches. Many families report that their social network in Miami quickly rivals or exceeds what they had in their prior city.

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What About Condos?

While most relocating families prefer single-family homes, condos can be an excellent option in certain situations:

• Pied-a-terre or transition housing: Many families start with a condo while exploring neighborhoods before committing to a home purchase.
• Lock-and-leave convenience: For families splitting time between Miami and another city, a full-service condo offers security and low maintenance.
• Waterfront living: Some of Miami's best waterfront locations (Brickell, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove) are condo-dominated.

Family-friendly condo considerations:

• Look for buildings with low rental ratios and a stable owner-occupant base.
• Prioritize buildings with family amenities: pools, playgrounds, guest suites for visiting family.
• Be aware of HOA rules regarding children and pets.
• Consider unit size carefully; most families need 3+ bedrooms.

For families considering condos, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Aventura, and select Brickell buildings are the most common choices.

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Working With The Lieberbaum Group

Relocating to Miami is a major decision, and families deserve an advisor who understands the full picture, not just real estate, but schools, lifestyle, and community fit.

The Lieberbaum Group specializes in working with relocating families. We offer:

• Neighborhood tours tailored to your family's priorities (schools, commute, lifestyle)
• School guidance: We can connect you with educational consultants and share firsthand feedback from families who have navigated the admissions process
• Market expertise: Deep knowledge of inventory, pricing, and negotiation in family-focused neighborhoods
• Relocation logistics: Referrals to relocation specialists, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals who understand multi-state moves

If you are considering a move to Miami with your family, reach out for a confidential conversation. We will help you understand your options and make a well-informed decision.

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Ready to explore Miami for your family? Contact The Lieberbaum Group for a personalized consultation.