So you want to move to a quiet, beautiful suburb of Miami? Well, enter Pinecrest. So Pinecrest, Florida is a small, affluent village located in Miami-Dade County. Known for its lush greenery and upscale homes, Pinecrest is a popular destination for those looking for a high quality of life in a suburban setting. However, there are both pros and cons to living in Pinecrest that you need to carefully think on before making any big decision.
Featured Image Credit: Ebyabe at Wikimedia Commons
Pros and Cons of Pinecrest, Florida
Let’s start with the pros:
Pros
High quality of life
Pinecrest is known for its upscale homes and lush greenery, which create a beautiful and peaceful environment for residents. Additionally, Pinecrest is home to a variety of parks and recreational areas, including the Pinecrest Gardens, which provides a great place for families to spend time outdoors.
In contrast to a place like Weston, Pinecrest is kind of “wild lush”, as opposed to “manicured lush”. It’s still beautiful, but very green and dense. Think of a tropical paradise look, as opposed to that golf course look that you can get in newer subdivisions.
Pinecrest Gardens
To me, this is the jewel of Pinecrest. It’s a recently remodeled, insanely beautiful park. It’s not that big, but it’s got some amazing trails, a large grassy play/even area, a petting zoo, an amphitheater for concerts, and a revamped playground, among other features. You should not miss it!
Good schools
Pinecrest is served by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system, which is known for its high-performing schools (in some areas). Additionally, Pinecrest is home to a number of private schools, which offer a more personalized education experience.
In particular, Pinecrest Elementary is excellent and highly sought-after. The middle and high schools are also good, but not as good as those of Weston.
Credit: Ryan Olivas at Wikimedia Commons
Safe community
Pinecrest is a relatively safe community, with low crime rates compared to other areas in Miami-Dade County. This makes it a great place for families and individuals who value safety and security. For added safety, you can living in a gated community such as Pinecrest by the Sea (or others).
Convenient location
The Village is located just south of the City of Miami and Coral Gables, which makes it a convenient location for those who work in Miami or want to enjoy the city’s nightlife and cultural activities. Additionally, Pinecrest is close to major highways, making it easy to access other parts of South Florida.
However, commuter traffic in the morning can be intense, especially if you have to travel through the beautiful Old Cutler Road. There is no perfect alternative, even using a navigation app like Waze.
Good Government
This Village is very well-governed. It has its own police force, and things like getting permits are well-managed, efficient, and clean. No complaints there!
No HOA
Few (if any) of the neighborhoods here will have an HOA. To me, this is a con, but I put it under pros because I know a lot of people hate HOAs. Basically, the only checks on what you can do with your house are ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations. But you won’t have a nosy HOA breathing down your neck.
Cons
Before looking at the cons, here’s someone’s video tour:
Extremely high cost of living
Pinecrest is known for its upscale homes, which come with a high cost of living. Additionally, property taxes in Pinecrest can be quite high, which can be a significant expense for homeowners. It is extremely expensive; you have to be rich to live here. Think of well over a million dollars for any home at all, and often over two million.
Many of the houses are beautiful and large, but they are amongst the most expensive in South Florida. You will also pay out the nose for insurance, including flood insurance, which will probably be mandatory if you have a mortgage. This is an area at high risk for hurricanes and floods, and it will cost you to insure your house for it.
Limited housing options
Because this is a small village, there may be limited options for housing, which can make it difficult for renters or those looking to buy a home in a specific price range.
Traffic congestion
Due to its location near Miami, Pinecrest can experience heavy traffic congestion during rush hour, which can be a significant inconvenience for residents. There really is no way around it. Commutes can be an hour or more. Even during the weekend, it can easily take 30-45 minutes to get to Miami and its amenities. You are kind of isolated.
Isolation
Pinecrest can feel isolating to some folks, because it’s mostly huge houses on large lots. Unless you’re proactive about it, there may not be a strong sense of community, as there can be in other areas.
Summing Up the Pros and Cons of Pinecrest
Overall, Pinecrest is a great place to live for those who value a high quality of life, good schools, and a safe community. However, the high cost of living and limited housing options may be a challenge for some. Additionally, traffic congestion can be a significant inconvenience for residents. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making the decision to move to Pinecrest.
To me, I’d say this place is perfect for people with lots of money (but not the ultrarich) who want a big, private house in a “prestige” neighborhood. You also have to be willing to deal with the commute or (if you have no commute), taking 30-45 minutes (at least!) to get to the big urban parts of Miami, like Brickell or Miami Beach. If you are ultrarich, move somewhere closer to the action, like Cocoplum, Coral Gables, or Coconut Grove (or Brickell if you prefer apartment living).
Video
I leave you with a promotional video from the government of the Village:
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