Bal Harbour is more of a village than a typical neighborhood in
Miami, and it certainly looks and feels like it! With its row of residential towers overlooking the city's beautiful coast, it's your quintessential affluent area in what is already a fairly upscale metropolis. Naturally, it helps that luxury resorts and high-end shopping are a dime a dozen here, offering glamour to locals and tourists alike who want to bask in this more tranquil side of Miami. If you're lucky enough to get to stay in Bal Harbour, you'll undoubtedly enjoy the finer things in life here.
Where is Bal Harbour in Miami?
With the Atlantic Ocean to its east and Biscayne Bay to its west, Bal Harbour stays true to its name with its very tropical location on the northernmost tip of Miami Beach. Since it's fairly far from
Miami's central neighborhoods, it's no wonder the area maintains a level of tranquility and exclusivity that you won't find anywhere else in the city. Oftentimes, the most popular parts of any big city are right in the middle of the metropolis, surrounded by other, equally prominent districts. Bal Harbour is distinctly not that, as it lies in one of the more remote parts of Miami.
Is it Safe in Bal Harbour, Miami?
Without a shadow of a doubt! It's even fair to say that Bal Harbour ranks among the safest
neighborhoods in Miami! Not only does it boast some of the lowest crime rates in Miami, but its location is virtually remote, allowing it to maintain a level of peace that the rest of the city simply can't. Though things can still get lively in Bal Harbour, it rarely gets as rowdy as the more urban parts of Miami. Paired with its distinct affluence and more residential vibe, it's no surprise that Bal Harbour is more secure than most of Miami.
What's The Vibe in Bal Harbour, Miami?
While the rest of the world, specifically most of the US, thinks of Miami as this neon-lighted metropolis that can be as garrish as it is glamorous, Bal Harbour offers a different, more understated side. Located on the northernmost tip of Miami Beach, this largely residential area boasts five-star resorts, high-end shopping, upscale dining, and the like. It presents Miami glamour in a more sophisticated way, opposite of Downtown Miami's urban liveliness or Ocean Drive's streetwise chicness. If you can afford to stay anywhere in the city when you
move to Miami, consider settling down in Bal Harbour.
Is it Expensive in Bal Harbour, Miami?
You don't even need to ask the question! Bal Harbour is known as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in town, with some of the highest
living costs in Miami. It's right up there with the likes of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, among many others. Its most famous mall, for instance, the Bal Harbour Shops, is a well-known treasure trove of designer brands and luxury labels. You'll also find many upscale restaurants here, including some Michelin-starred hotspots. And if you decide to rent in Bal Harbour, expect to pay a minimum of $2,077.00 to a maximum of $7,900.00 per month.
What to See in Bal Harbour, Miami
Admittedly, Bal Harbour lacks any of Miami's iconic landmarks, but that has never stopped locals and tourists alike from staying here. In fact, some even love the coastal neighborhood for this very reason. With very few famous spots in the area, Bal Harbour is less touristy compared to the rest of Miami. And what it may lack in famous landmarks, it more than makes up for with its breathtaking scenery. One day on Bal Harbour Beach is enough to make you want to forget everything else and relocate to the neighborhood pronto! Though the luxury in the Bal Harbour Shops helps too!
What to Do in Bal Harbour, Miami
Bal Harbour is the best place to luxuriate in Miami. Even if you've lived here for a long time, you still deserve to pamper yourself in many of the high-end hotspots in the area. Enjoy a staycation in Bal Harbour's hotels and resorts, for instance, which include the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Beach Haus, and more. Shop till you drop in the famous Bal Harbour Shops, too, and get your hands on all sorts of designer goodies in either Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Markus, among many others. And of course, don't miss the district's very haute culinary scene!
The Best Restaurants in Bal Harbour, Miami
As you might have suspected, Bal Harbour has some of the
best restaurants in Miami. The area's half of Collins Avenue alone already boasts such hotspots as Avenue 31 Café, Carpaccio Restaurant, Makoto, and The St. Regis Bar, among many others. These aforementioned eateries alone prove that the district offers a diverse culinary scene, serving up all sorts of flavors and ambiance. Don't be surprised to find that some of them even have Michelin stars under their belt, specifically the in-house restaurants of the five-star resorts. You truly won't find anything quite like it anywhere else in Miami!
Don’t miss any or all of Bal Harbour’s best places to eat:
- Artisan Beach House on Collins Avenue
- Atlantikos on Collins Avenue
- Avenue 31 Café on Collins Avenue
- Carpaccio Restaurant on Collins Avenue
- Hillstone Restaurant at Bal Harbour in Bal Harbour Shops on Collins Avenue
- Makoto on Collins Avenue
- The St. Regis Bar on Collins Avenue
- The Harbour Grill on Harding Avenue
- Neya Restaurant on Harding Avenue
- Crazy About You in The Mark on Brickell Bay on Brickell Bay Drive
What to Know About Renting in Bal Harbour, Miami
Renting a luxury apartment in Miami is already expensive, no matter where you are in the city, but it's especially pricey in Bal Harbour. The median average rent here is about $4,550.00 per month, which is already much higher than the city-wide average of around $2,800.00 per month. To break it down even further, the typical rental costs in the area range from a minimum of $2,077.00 to a maximum of $7,900.00 per month, specifically among apartments and condo units. That may seem like a wide range, but the minimum, $2,700.00, is already pretty big considering it's possible to get a place for less than $1,000.00 in other parts of Miami.
Bal Harbour is an upscale village within the big city of Miami, Florida. The waterfront district boasts luxury resorts, high-end beach homes, designer shopping, fine dining, and many more things you’d expect in the glamorous side of Miami.
