Although many families live in
Miami today, many still question whether it's a suitable city to raise their kids. Its reputation as America's party capital, one of Florida's major business hubs, and a great place to retire dominate the city's narrative, which is why most of those who relocate here tend to be adults. Nevertheless, that shouldn't dissuade families, even those with little kids, from settling down and finding a place here. After all, Miami still has many great schools, peaceful residential neighborhoods, and fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
Is Miami Dangerous?
First things first, let's talk about safety in the city. While it's true that the
crime rates in Miami are often high, even with a current general crime rate of 59%, it's not necessarily fair to regard the city as dangerous overall. Miami is not this gritty dystopia full of drug, gang violence, and the like that many will have you believe. The city still has many safe neighborhoods, so much so that they're some of the best places to raise kids in all of Florida. And though its more urban districts tend to be the sketchier ones, too, these same areas are fairly safe during the day.
Miami's Best Neighborhoods for Families
Speaking of
Miami's neighborhoods, you'll be happy to know that some of the best-known are also among the safest and most family-friendly. There's Coconut Grove, for instance, that's a laid-back and fairly upscale. Pinecrest, on the other hand, is an affluent suburb that boasts good schools, beautiful homes, and a tight-knit community. Your kids will likely love it in Key Biscayne, too, since it's also more suburban and has lots of nature. The place practically calls for all sorts of family-friendly adventure! And finally, there's Coral Gables, which is technically a separate city from Miami, but is so located so close to the city that it's widely regarded as part of it.
The Many Suburbs in Miami
As you may have already surmised, there are many
suburbs in Miami. Some are admittedly much safer than others, especially the previously-mentioned neighborhoods, but overall, many of them are suited for all sorts of families. These include Palmetto Bay, Pembroke Pines, Parkland, and the Bay Harbor Islands, to name a few. Why do these all matter, especially since they're not too different from each other? Well, these suburbs prove that families truly do have a place in Miami; that the city isn't just for big business and partying. It's more than possible to live a fairly peaceful life in one of America's biggest and most bustling cities.
The City has Great Schools
It's only natural for parents to worry about their kids' schooling when they relocate to a new place, especially if it's a big city like Miami. This glittering metropolis isn't exactly known for its academics, after all, despite the fact that it has and continues to lure in some of the most well-educated people in the country and the world. Nevertheless, don't mistake this to mean that Miami lacks top-notch schools. The truth is the complete opposite! From public to private and even international institutions, the city has more than schools to provide high-quality education to your kids.
Some of the best schools in Miami include:
- Brito Miami Private School
- Henry S. West Laboratory School
- iPrep Academy
- Metropolitan International School of Miami
- Ransom Everglades High School
- The Biltmore School
- The Cushman School
Kids Can Learn a Lot in Miami
It's worth noting that education isn't confined within the four corners of the classroom.
Moving to Miami with your kids will teach them a lot more about the world, especially with how diverse the city is. Don't think that the international communities mostly stay in the central or downtown areas. Many African-American Latin-American, Asian-American, and Middle Eastern-American families have also settled down in Miami's suburbs, and their presence will help your children understand the world better. By encouraging friendships or even simple proximity to people different from the, you're allowing your kids to gain a better worldview and hone different perspectives.
How Kids Can Have Fun in Miami
It's still worth noting that Miami is a family-friendly city mainly because it has several kid-centric attractions. From Zoo Miami and Everglades National Park to the Miami Children's Museum and SuperBlue Miami, there are many things you little ones can enjoy even on just one day in Miami. And let's not forget that Miami is in Florida, a state that's also famous for its beloved theme parks. The likes of
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Legoland Florida Resort are not too far from here, even when they're located in an entirely different city.
Staying Close to Nature
The amount of nature Miami has is arguably underappreciated, especially for families living in the city. The rest of the world tends to see Miami as this sprawling metropolis that's mostly tall skyscrapers and big buildings, but that's only one part of it. The other part includes the beautiful coasts, bayfront hubs, city parks, nearby nature reserves, and the like. It's easy enough to just go to the
beaches in Miami when your kids are in need of some fun under the sun, and the city has more than enough safe coastal neighborhoods and suburbs for that.
Your Kids' Future in Miami
Overall, it's fair to confirm that Miami truly is a family-friendly city. But more than that, it's also worth mentioning that living in Miami will benefit your children in many ways. One is to give them a more global perspective without diverse the city is. Another is to prepare them to live in such bustling metropolises, allowing them to prepare to live and possible work in some of the best cities in the world. And of course, you can't forget the opportunity of gaining a better appreciation for nature than most! All of this will help your little ones grow into better-informed and more socially and economically conscious individuals.
Miami deserves more credit as a family-friendly city. While it may not exactly be the most ideal place to raise children, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a place here. There’s so much about Miami where families can still fit right in.
