Fulford Bythe Sea - North Miami Beach, FL

Named for the Fulford-by-the-Sea Company, this part of town was in the process of early development when the hurricane of 1926 blew through. The development's magnificent fountain and monument, listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Fulford by the Sea Entrance, adorns the access point to the neighborhood.

The ancient Spanish monastery, a locally-favored wedding venue, gives a clue to the age and history of this area, providing a museum, classes, tours and even concerts. Featured in several Hollywood films as well as commercials and print advertising campaigns, the beauty and serenity of this age-old landmark draw visitors from far and wide.

The Julius Littman Performing Arts Center hosts numerous concerts and plays, and nearby Sunny Isles beach puts on festivals ranging from a chocolate celebration to a jazz fest, at various times throughout the year.

Restaurants of every imaginable type line Biscayne Boulevard as well as 163rd Street, which turns into 167th Street as you head west. The multitude of unique palate-pleasers around here make it a foodie’s delight.

The Sushi House promotes Asian Fusion, or modern sushi and pan-Asian cuisine, in an atmosphere that emphasizes presentation and tranquility. Along with traditional Chinese, new Japanese and classically prepared sushi favorites, the menu selections also reflect French and Hawaiian influence. The vast wine selection contains choices from around the world to complement any meal here with style. Due to its extreme popularity, reservations are highly recommended, especially for larger parties.

Kabobji relies on a tantalizing menu of Middle-Eastern classics, from chicken shawarma and lamb shish kebabs to falafel and feta cheese plates. Arrive hungry, as the generous portions beg to be finished. Expect to need a doggie bag anyway, especially if you indulge in scrumptious desserts such as walnut or pistachio baklava or knafe. Not for adults and carnivores only, Kabobji also provides a children’s menu and vegetarian selections.

For a truly family-friendly and fun experience, Laurenzo’s café dishes up fresh Italian flavor in a memorable setting. Expect homemade family recipes with daily and weekly specials, and everything on the menu available for take-out, too. Call ahead, and your order can be ready for pickup in moments. Great for trips to the park for an impromptu picnic. Try the Italian wedding soup or spinach lasagna. Stop by the bakery for dessert to take home treats or eat there. Laurenzo’s has an entire market at your disposal.

A very festive, lively and active part of town with a matching nightlife, neighbors often spontaneously light off fireworks to celebrate any one of numerous holidays. Musical and other entertainment venues surround you here in the greater Miami area, representing every genre. Locals visit Miami Beach and downtown Miami for the some of best bars and clubs.

Downtown North Miami's Moca Cafe and Lounge attracts dancers of all ages for Salsa rhythms. Parking costs nothing here, and over on Miami Beach parking can cost as much as $20 for the night, so that's a great head start on financing your fun right there. Speaking of the beach, the Fontainebleu hotel houses Liv glam club, where top entertainers perform for sold-out audiences on a mind-blowing state-of-the art sound system.

Public transportation provides regular service via numerous bus routes through the Fulford vicinity. While you may prefer to have a car, those who work in areas where parking can be limited and expensive find the value of buses to be limitless. The canal does allow ocean access, but most homes here do not have dockage so you need to use a public boat ramp to take advantage of the waterways.

Plentiful cabs and easy-to-obtain Uber service render this area completely reliable for any sort of transportation residents need. While there is no shortage of free public parking to worry about around this part of town, when you reach the design district of Miami as well as the beaches expect to pay top dollar whether in a garage or open lot. Interstate 95 lies a few miles west, and from there you can access Florida’s turnpike and other highways.

Locals enjoy walking, jogging, biking, and rollerblading throughout this lovely old neighborhood. No biking lanes have been provided around here, but the parks in the area have ample space for additional biking and other recreational activities.

Two stellar parks grace this region: Oleta River State Park and Greynolds Park. Visitors pay a fee on weekends and holidays, but most weekdays entry costs nothing. Both parks contain camping facilities.

Oleta River, Florida's largest urban park, offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including miles of off-road bicycling trails, from novice to challenging in rank for cyclists of varying experience levels. Locals come here to enjoy nature and wildlife, they also go canoeing and kayaking along the Oleta River. The 1,200-foot sandy beach for swimming and saltwater fishing attracts families from all over the region. If you want a picnic table and grill, arrive early or reserve one of the park's nine pavilions.

Although it's hard to tell now, Greynolds park originated as a rock quarry. With 249 acres including a relatively intact hardwood hammock and mangrove forest, this park attracts both nature lovers and a variety of athletes. From golf to boating and field activities, this park has plenty of space to accommodate it all, including children’s play areas. The park gets its name from A.O. Greynolds, who headed the Ojus Rock Company, and who generously deeded the land over to the Miami-Dade County Parks Department in 1936.

Greynolds Park’s Love-In has been attracting hippies from far and wide every year for over a decade. The park holds numerous other concerts and events throughout the year.

East Greynolds Park also has a dog park, and up the road another dog park in Aventura, Waterways Dog Park provides 1.5 acres of off-leash waterfront exercise space. Fido can take advantage of comfort stations including such indispensable amenities as water fountains and showers for the doggies as well as a shaded patio with benches for their humans.

One of Miami’s best-kept secrets, Fulford allows savvy renters to save substantially on the cost of living. Much lower than the city’s average, a one-bedroom apartment only sets you back around $860 per month. You can expect to pay an average $200 to $400 more than that in nearby communities. Having a beer runs $4 to $6 for a draft around here, sometimes less at happy hour or when you catch a special.

For about $5, the bus takes you to downtown Miami or the beach, but transit passes help defray the cost if you need to use public transportation on a regular basis. Gasoline in this part of town runs about 3 percent above the national average.

The mall at 163rd Street and gorgeous Aventura mall right up the road provide the closest routine shopping choices, but Miami brims with exotic boutiques and unusual shops to explore. Closest to Fulford, the Rabbit Hole specializes in vintage clothing, priding themselves on the collection of hand-selected items from the mid to late 20th century.

Sunny Isles Beach presents W Boutique, a Eurocentric store with precise focus upon couture, from fabulous swimwear and jewelry to exclusive cosmetics and accessories. Travel a bit further south down Collins Avenue, and you arrive at Boutique Flirt, which clearly lives up to its name. With designers from around the globe represented in this store, if you didn't find the ideal swimsuit at W, maybe it awaits you here. In addition to swimwear Flirt stocks shoes, shirts, pants, and dresses – all in high-quality fabrics that breathe with your skin.

Everyday groceries can be purchased at the Publix supermarket in Jefferson Super Center, and an Indian store which also sells Indian specialties such as halal meat and traditional eastern spices.

While you’re visiting the café at Laurenzo’s, check out the best local farmers market for miles around in the same location.