Edgewater - Miami, FL

Edgewater began as a residential area of Miami and has a large number of historic, early 20th century structures. In the 1920s, this bay-front enclave was home to judges, bankers and artists.

Art Deco buildings, matching those on South Beach, were constructed in the 1940s around small, fish-filled ponds and tropical foliage. The early 1960’s brought a cultural shift to Edgewater as Cuban émigrés began to move into the small enclave. In the 1990s, an influx of money increased the property values in the neighborhood exponentially.

Edgewater lies several minutes from the Miami Art and Design District, site of the the annual Art Basal Show, and the Miami Children’s Museum on MacArthur Causeway. The last decade in this popular neighborhood has seen a boom in the construction of luxury, waterfront condominiums with dazzling views of the city and Intracoastal Waterway.

Because of Edgewater's central location in the midst of restaurants, bistros, and clubs, you can find entertainment and an exciting nightlife within a few minutes’ drive in any direction. Restaurants on South Beach and along Biscayne Boulevard pack in the crowds on weekends and make for popular local hot-spots.

If you like Italian food, be sure to try out Il Gabbiano on Biscayne Boulevard. Enjoy bayside seating on a classy terrace while you sample well-prepared northern Italian cuisine. Il Gabbiano cooks up a world-class shrimp Alfredo, oysters on the half-shell with a dollop of caviar and chicken stuffed with foie gras that will have you dying for seconds. Downtown professionals meet here after business hours for cocktails served up by a five-star wait staff.

Club-lovers rejoice: Edgewater’s centralized location avails its residents of a selection of Miami’s most popular clubs, pubs and bars. Check out Club Space on 11th Street. The DJs pump out the tunes from dusk until dawn. Enjoy the rooftop terrace with your friends, kick back in the VIP area or dance to trance and house music in an electric environment. Club Space also hosts daytime parties for those who can’t ever get enough.

Residents of Edgewater use their personal vehicles to get around the neighborhood, and some use their own personal watercraft or boats to get to local restaurants on weekends. Uber provides services in the area, and while taxis can easily be found, those seeking public transportation usually opt for MetroBus, which runs the length of Biscayne Boulevard. Most commercial zones provide free parking for their clients.

Edgewater’s close proximity to the I-95 interchange and Venetian Causeway allows for easy highway access; however, the speed of the traffic on the main roads does not create a safe environment for those moving around on foot or bicycle. While the main thoroughfares lack biking lanes, the side streets provide a safe environment for biking, walking and jogging.

Edgewater’s fitness fanatics and dog-lovers alike take advantage of Margaret Pace Park’s lush 8 acres. This free-to-enter, tropical wonderland lies on the west side of Biscayne Bay and has something for everyone in the family. The picnic and grill areas create a great environment for picnics and parties, while the outdoor workout complex allows for great views and a fresh breeze while exercising. The playground provides a great diversion for the kids, while the adults have the opportunity to enjoy pick-up games of basketball, volleyball or tennis.

If you want to catch the fireworks over Biscayne Bay on the Fourth of July, be sure to arrive early as the place fills up fast. The designated doggy zones are size specific, so you don’t have to worry about your 7-pound ball of fluff mixing it up with someone’s horse-sized canine.

Due to its prime location, the cost of living in Edgewater is high compared to other parts of Miami. The average rental rate for this part of the city for a one-bedroom residence is $1458. If you like to hoist back a beer every now and then, plan on dropping at least $8 in one of the higher-end establishments or pubs. Gas prices in downtown Miami and the Edgewater district run in excess of 25 percent above the national average.

The Edgewater neighborhood lies in the middle of a shopper's paradise. The Art and Design district, downtown Miami and South Beach boutiques are all within a 10-minute drive.

En Avance, formerly located in the posh Lincoln Road area, now calls the Miami Design District home. This classy boutique showcases well-known designers, and carries high-end selections of women's clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and home decor. En Avance offers unique items and gift ideas for both him and her.

Edgewater residents head to the Publix Supermarket for its large selections of meat, fish and produce. If you prefer organic food, then hit up one of the farmers markets during the weekend. The Upper Eastside Farmers Market opens every Saturday morning and carries a large selection of local produce, pasture-raised beef, fresh juices and flowers. If you don't mind making a longer drive to the beach, you may also want to check out Lincoln Road's day-long farmers market which packs in the throngs every Sunday.