Relocating to South East Florida, seeking FChat opinions, I come in peace

As title mentions, looking like I will relocate to South Florida and flying out next month to get a feel for the various areas, will be staying in Ft Lauderdale and then Coconut Grove as hubs with a rental car to explore

Now lifestyle, budget, desired amenities etc all come into play but I'm hoping to learn from collective experience and different pros and cons from whoever feels friendly enough to chime in

I come in peace, understand and appreciate what the state stands for, and plan to do whatever I can to keep it that way otherwise if it ends up becoming something else, it ruins the point of my move

My interest is mainly Miami, in these areas: Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Surfside, Bal Harbour, maybe mid or north beach areas as well since I'm originally from Hawaii and love the ocean

Will also explore Ft Lauderdale, Manalapan/West Palm Beach

I'm 34, just me with my dog living a blissful life happily with no wife or kids, will bring my Speciale, and plan to rent a home for a year before deciding where and what I want to buy

Would love to be near vibrant communities, something very walkable is really wanted, if along waterways of some sort even better, and want something safe and secure where I don't have to worry about the Speciale in the garage and it being seen by neighbors coming and going

My hunch is the Manalapan/WPB areas are better for being near water, being safe with the Ferrari etc, but worry it could be too quiet (good problem to have I know) versus something like Coral Gables or Coconut Grove which would offer a very different feel

Any opinions are appreciated as I'm trying to collect a diversity of views on the different areas and their pros and cons, thanks very much

 

Great questions! Appreciate it

Superficial and shallow people don't bother me in the least sadly to be honest, I'm coming from LA where I've been among them for quite some time and still kept my humility and head, but ok the flooding, see that is something I hope to learn about locals.. totally forgot to include figuring out what is safest for the Speciale with respect to that, and learning about what happens when hurricanes and flooding occur as someone who's never experienced that before, insurance and what that's like etc... I saw the horrific Naples flooding a year or 2 ago and the supercars that got destroyed (along with property)

I'm focused on Miami because, while I hate clubs, I do enjoy the nice restaurants, vibrancy and energy of people my age, I'd go to Heat/Dolphins games, and just in general being closer to action than not, but I am very open minded and this is why I'll rent first before buying

I love relaxing at the beach, jumping in the ocean, going on long walks with an audiobook in to get a sweat (if this is by water even better, but looking for sidewalks in the least... ha), going on a nice drive (so traffic is for sure a concern in Miami, but I'm thinking it won't hold a candle to LA's absolutely crippling backbreaking soul sucking traffic that I've grown accustom to)

Writing it out, it does sound like I kind of want it all which I concede no place has, so it's trying to figure out what gets me closest in the "median" to all... rather than an extreme one way (like near/on water or beach, but very very quiet with not much else around, and vice versa, why I am not interested in Brickell/Downtown Miami/Edgewater where all the clubs/restaurants are, but no real beach, traffic would be terrible, and maybe not safe for Speciale)

 

Great input, advice, thoughts so far! Very much appreciated, thank you all

 

I'm torn because I am keenly aware of the cons of Miami, especially doing alright for myself with the Ferrari, and I am older than the lets club and party crowd. But also want to avoid somewhere that also feels too quiet, and not walkable with energy and people coming and going if that makes sense.. South Florida seems great because there are a few options to choose from

A few friends have mentioned Delray as well, I've never heard of it before and people probably prefer it that way. I'll be combing as far north as West Palm Beach south through Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, adding Delray on the places to check out - thanks

 

The more I think about it, the more I waver on Miami, understanding what it is and its pros and cons, and I'm not as young as I once was! I have more money, more success, and care a lot more about my peace and a leisure lifestyle than stressful things when I think about it. A water oriented lifestyle sure sounds nice, especially with the heat you guys have

Maybe renting north could be the better move first, and worst case scenario I can always try a different part of town a year later. I'd rather err on safety, especially with the Ferrari, and doing my best to mind my own business and avoid trouble. I just don't to be in a suburb that is so quiet, and not walkable beyond the neighborhood then it's just highways and thoroughfares, I've done that before and regretted it because it is just me and my dog, so it's nice to interface or at least see other people walking around etc from time to time..

Thankfully LA has trained me where I don't wear my nice watches out in public much anymore ha ha, and not to take a detour but I have no intention on jeopardizing my lifestyle or assets for anyone, for a very beautiful respectful woman whatever the case may be, I've worked too hard and sacrificed/risked too much where selfishly I just want to enjoy my life with my dog, my cars, travel, and maybe a boat one day..!

 

Las Olas is on the list! A realtor I know out there said that would be a good place to check out given the lifestyle I'm looking for, and I do have a fantasy of one day owning a small boat.. first things first want to settle the move, understand the home insurance costs and safety of the Ferrari given hurricanes and flooding, and then if I have money I'd like to burn left plan to analyze the boat situation

These are two I definitely plan to spend time in next month, maybe those neighborhoods will allow me to have a more relaxed and safer lifestyle while still within striking distance of the action in "Miami"

 

Looks incredible, might have to swing by for a beer and bite next month

 

Had a friend who relocated from Naples to Palm Beach area because he said it was just too quiet for him, my plan is "east side" first but Tampa/St Pete/Naples seem to offer a lot more for the money

Interesting heard not so nice things about Boca which was funny to me considering it's in between WPB and Ft Lauderdale, and both seem very highly regarded, but I have family friends who have lived there a long time and plan to see them

 

Right on!! Appreciate that