CHECK OUT MORE FROM OUR '7 DAYS OF SUBURBS' WEEK

Though the potential of the Brightline high-speed rail service is giving some people hope of a brighter commuting scenario in South Florida, many can still attest to the woes of driving from the suburbs to Downtown Miami during rush hour traffic. But there are some suburbs that offer a shorter commute, either because of their proximity to the city or access to public transportation. Here are some. 

Coral Gables

What’s not to love about Coral Gables? During rush hour, it’s about a half-hour drive to Miami, but you can also take the Metrorail from the University stop and be downtown in a little over 10 minutes. And despite its close proximity to downtown, Coral Gables has an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re hours away from city life. 

Thanks to strict zoning laws and the “City Beautiful” movement, Coral Gables has maintained the Mediterranean architecture that it has become known for in its almost 95 years of existence. One of its downsides is the cost — the median home value, per Niche, is $696,000.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove photo by Shutterstock

If you’re looking for a similar vibe as Coral Gables but at a lower price tag, Coconut Grove may be an option, albeit not a cheap one. The median home sale price, per Neighborhoods.com, is $750,000, but it’s only five miles from downtown, and even in rush hour, the drive is only 15 minutes. 

The Metrorail, which runs about every 10 minutes during peak hours, offers a ride to downtown that is less than 10 minutes. For those who enjoy a more artsy vibe, Coconut Grove is known for its bohemian atmosphere, and art events held throughout the year.

Flagami  

Dolphin Expressway photo courtesy of Averette

Flagami — whose name is a blend of Flagler, the street that runs through the neighborhood, and Tamiami, the nearby canal — is a good choice of an affordable suburb west of the city. It’s about a 40 minute drive on the Dolphin Expressway during rush hour, and the median home sale price is $247,500, per Neighborhoods.com. 

There is also Metrobus service that will bring you downtown in about a half hour. It’s a diverse area and also has several shopping plazas and nightclubs.

Dadeland 

Photo courtesy of Xnatedawgx

Though the Dadeland South Metrorail station is located at the very end of the southern portion of the line, it still offers commuters a 20 minute ride to Downtown Miami or shorter with downtown express service. For those who want to drive via US 1, the commute to downtown in rush hour is about 45 minutes. 

For residents of Downtown Dadeland, the village offers a walking environment of its own, with a variety of boutiques and restaurants. Families can take advantage of the many parks, such as Concord Park, Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Tropical Park, and Women’s Park. 

Miami Shores

Photo courtesy of Ed Webster

Though it means having to brave the traffic on Interstate 95 in rush hour, the drive from Miami Shores is usually under 30 minutes. There are also Metrobus lines that can take you there, but those will lengthen your commute by at least 20 minutes. 

Residents typically give high marks to the neighborhood’s safety and close proximity to the beach and other popular area attractions, such as Oleta River State Park and Greynolds Park. But like similar neighborhoods, the convenience comes with a price tag. Neighborhoods.com puts the median home value at $668.000.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale

Photo courtesy of 95 Express

If you work in Downtown Miami, but are hesitant to live in Miami-Dade County, then there are areas north in Broward County that you might consider. Even though it’s about 30 miles away, Downtown Fort Lauderdale is surprisingly accessible to Downtown Miami and offers many of the same type of amenities you’d find in any urban environment.

Right now, a ride on the Express Bus during rush hour takes about 50 minutes and a commute by TriRail and the Metrorail will take over an hour. But when Brightline service starts later this year, the commuting time will be reduced significantly due to its high-speed, non-stop service.

The other benefit to living in Downtown Fort Lauderdale is lower housing costs. According to Neighborhoods.com, the median home value in Downtown Fort Lauderdale is $415,00.