Miami Lakes, FL

Though the master plan for Miami Lakes began during the 1960s, the city did not officially incorporate until December 2000. The city received several awards for its layout and planning, for what is still a relatively new city within the county of Miami-Dade. The master plan to create tree-lined streets, significant parks and a hometown atmosphere has come to fruition. Residents quality of life serves as the primary impetus in development in Miami Lakes which makes the area a pleasant place to live.

Museums lie close to Miami lakes and the city provides transportation to residents on certain occasions for museum visits. The Museum of Contemporary Art sits around 13 miles east of Miami Lakes and houses contemporary art along with musical performances and exhibits. Annually the city of Miami Lakes hosts several outdoor art festivals which promote local artists.

Numerous dining options await residents and visitors to Miami Lakes. Typical chain restaurants sit along the major roadways, such as the Palmetto Expressway, with smaller, family-owned establishments serving up traditional dishes reminiscent of the cultures that call this neighborhood home. Latin culture can be found in all aspects of life in Miami Lakes, including the local eating hot spots.

El Pimiento serves tapas plates perfect for date nights or group outings. The small plates, sized to sample for groups, pair well with the large selection of fine wines available. For a zesty and filling meal, try the pechuga depollo en mojo picon canario. This fresh, seared chicken dish comes served in a mild Canary Island sweet pepper sauce along with a saffron pilaf. The mild sweet pepper sauce awakens the taste buds, while churros finish the meal off with sweet fried delight.

El Novillo Restaurant specializes in Nicaraguan cuisine pairing flavorful meats with savory chimichurri sauces. Order the churrasco, a tender lean meat that comes perfectly seared and exploding with Nicaraguan spices. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with the tres leches.

At night, you find many residents and visitors frequenting the many restaurants that also serve as bars in the area. For a more lively crowd, explore The Bend Liquor Lounge. Here, specialty cocktails await with a lively crowd ready to carry the party through the late hours and into the morning. For a more laid-back night out with friends, try The Billiard Club of South Florida's Miami Lakes location. This pool hall features drink specials and a basic bar menu, but regulars come here for the casual entertainment.

Residents and visitors to Miami Lake enjoy a number of different public transportation options in the area. Miami-Dade transit provides service to the area with bus routes connecting Miami Lakes with all of Miami-Dade county. Cabs and Uber service can be accessed near the major shopping plazas and public bus terminals. You can access public parking at many of the shopping and retail plazas for free, and metered parking along some of the downtown streets is available. Valet parking can also be used at many of the restaurants.

The neighborhood roads contains biking and walking paths for safe pedestrian usage. The city design allows for commercial and business traffic to remain away from the neighborhoods and subdivisions, so street biking and recreation remains safe. The cul-de-sacs see little traffic making them peaceful and capable of hosting various children's activities with neighbors.

The town of Miami Lakes provides residents with several recreational options including 4 outdoor parks. The largest and most exercise friendly park, Miami Lakes Optimist Park, includes several athletic field and courts, walking paths, pavilions, a marina with fishing access and a large playground for the kids. Entry to the park is free and leashed pets can accompany their owners within the park.

Annually the parks host community events and fourth of July celebrations along with youth recreation league tournaments. The parks were designed to be family friendly and maintain a kid friendly atmosphere to ensure everyone has a good time when visiting.

The cost of living in Miami Lakes sits 22 percent above the Florida average and 23 percent above the national average. A one-way trip to downtown Miami via public bus costs $2.25 per person. Taxis and Uber service the area and you can reach Miami for around $40 due to traffic and distance. The median cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Miami Lakes runs about $1,195.

The price of a typical pint of beer is $5, with most bars and restaurants carrying happy hour specials and weekend deals to ease the strain on your wallet. Gas prices sit 7 percent above the national average.

A large shopping plaza sits at the heart of Miami Lakes. Flanked by the Northstar Shopping Plaza and the Main Street Shopping Center, the area brings shoppers from all over Miami-Dade County to enjoy the outdoor shopping experience. Cobb Theaters sits within the plaza as well offering a dine in movie going experience.

Shoppers looking for a more personalized experience can visit one of the many boutiques in the area. Leslye's Boutique and its sister store Dress Rehearsal specialize in major occasions. From prom dresses to tuxedos and items of flair in between, the store has fashions for all shapes and sizes perfect for that special event. Quinces, a traditional Latin celebration for young women, requires a dramatic fashion statement and you can be sure to find colorful garments worthy of an introduction to the world.

Peekabo, a unique kids boutique, provides fashion for the younger fashionistas. The selection of designer kids clothing stretches from wall to wall, with accessories and jewelry suited for a fashion forward child. The smaller sizes and specialty clothing make this a go to boutique when shopping at department stores just won't cut it.

For weekly necessities residents frequent Publix Super Market located in the heart of Miami Lakes. Sedano's maintains a location closer to downtown Hialeah, which services the Latin community with authentic Latin grocery items. A Wal-mart can be found near the southern end of Miami Lakes as well. Residents get their fill of farm to table produce and homemade goods at the Opa Locka Hialeah Flea Market located just east of Amelia Earhart Park along Le Jeune Road.