Normandy Isles - Miami Beach, FL

The first five structures of Normandy Isles consisted of a fountain and four apartment houses built in 1925. The majestic fountain still stands tall and proud today, splashing gently on the Rue Vendome Plaza. After South Florida’s destructive hurricane in 1926, the area was repaired and connected to the mainland by the 79th Street Causeway, leading to the rapid development of new residential and business structures.

There are no museums inside Normandy Isles; however, the whole area is a U.S. National Historic District. The title is due to the beautiful concentration of post-war style architecture known as MiMo, or Miami Modernism, found throughout this place.

O-Cinema is a non-profit, innovative cinema that showcases foreign, art and independent films. Aside from the regular schedule of revolving works, they hold annual film festivals and events as well.

Miami's new wave of eateries easily rivals those of New York - or even San Francisco. The Normandy Isles area is no exception, housing a culinary paradise of Asian, Caribbean, and Latin elements along Normandy Drive. Your nose will immediately pick up the wonderful hot grill aroma whenever you drive by Las Vacas Gordas. This place is for serious carnivores only, offering one-pound servings of sizzling red meat accompanied by chorizo, blood sausage, and chitlins. A large bowl of flavorsome chimichurri sauce garnishes every table in the house. La Enrollada, a one-pound serving of meat, is extremely popular, but try the bife de chorizo with a glass of red house wine for a truly unique meal.

Sawaddee Thai & Sushi may be a small establishment, with only 16 constantly filled seats, but that's what makes the dining experience here intimately personal. The friendly owner waits and buses every table, striking a conversation with regulars every now and then. Try the roast duck in red curry sauce, an abundant mix of soft and tasty slices tossed together with onions, bell peppers, peas, tomatoes, grapes, and pineapple chunks. The Pad Thai is worth a try as well. Bring your own beer or wine to dinner; it's BYOB without a corking fee.

For a truly special sushi experience, try the a la carte menu at Katana Japanese Restaurant. Although the selection varies from day to day, typical rolls flow gently in a river conveyor belt that winds by every seat in the house. You'll find tasty treats like eel, tempura rolls, white fish and salmon sashimi. The nightlife playground of South Beach lies just a few minutes to the south, offering plenty of bars, clubs, and music events. However, Normandy Isles provides visitors and residents with a fair share of fun options in the evening. Eden Roc, an ocean-front resort, contains the Nobu Restaurant and Bar and the Splash Restaurant and Grill. The Sandbar Lounge offers a relaxed beach feel, with a foot of sand covering the establishment's floor. Every Sunday they host a complimentary buffet during NFL games.

Public transportation includes a local circulator system, 17 buses and several private jitney services that cover the entire Miami Beach area. The system is easy to follow and excellent for commuting up and down the coast.

Driving a car tends to be the preferred method of transportation for residents living in Normandy Isles, with easy access to all major highways. Although parking outside residential areas is mostly free, it can be hard to find a spot during peak times.

Cabs are generally not available on the streets, but a pickup can be easily arranged with a local company. Uber and Lyft services are also available.

This neighborhood has a great street configuration, including vast lighting, ample sidewalks and a pedestrian-friendly feel. The majority of streets offer clearly marked bike lanes, which makes riding safe for cyclists.

While Normandy Isles residents live surrounded by beautiful oceans, those wanting to swim usually head to the entertaining Normandy Isles Park & Pool in the center of town. This place offers many recreational amenities including a pool, basketball courts, kids' playground, dog area, pavilions, and soccer fields. The park entrance is free for residents with IDs.

The four-lane lap pool has a heater, and it stays between 82 to 84 degrees year-round. It is great for children, as it provides fun water toys, changing room,s and family concession areas.

The Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center, located in a stunning coral rock house, hosts a variety of events throughout the year such as dance classes, community picnics, and swimming lessons.

The cost of living in Normandy Isles is slightly lower than Miami’s average, making it one of the most affordable neighborhoods this close to the water. The price for a one-bedroom apartment sits at around $1,080 per month.

Getting around the city with public transportation costs $2.25 for a one-way trip. Gas prices run about 10 percent lower than the national average, and a pint of beer in a local bar will ring up a $5 bar tab.

There are no major malls located in Normandy Isles, so the majority of locals head up to Aventura Mall to grab the latest deals. This upscale shopping destination has an exceptional mix of high-value stores like Fendi, Forever 21 and Burberry as well as an exciting selection of boutiques.

Claire’s boutique houses the latest trends in women's fashion accessories. The 1,000 square foot REDValentino boutique carries a stylish assortment of Italian-inspired fashion.

Locals typically shop for groceries at the Publix located on Normandy Drive. The Saturday Normandy Village Marketplace on Rue Vendome has a great selection of produce at reasonable prices.