The Hammocks - Miami, FL

Situated on the northern boundary of the Tamiami Airport a few miles east of the Florida Everglades, the Hammocks began its life as a small Miami suburb more than three decades ago, initially consisting of a principally American population. Today the neighborhood’s residents comprise some of the largest Colombian, Venezuelan and Peruvian enclaves in the United States.

This area of Miami is minutes from MetroZoo and a 20-minute drive from the University of Miami’s famous Lowe Art Museum, which houses the largest permanent art collection in South Florida. The exhibitions include artifacts from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and the Mediterranean, along with a Central/South American collection. Frost Art Museum, located at Florida International University, also holds exhibits throughout the year, including those comprised of works created by students attending the College of Architecture and the Arts.

Many different ethnic restaurants serving tasty dishes have set up shop in the neighborhood, most within a ten minute drive of one another. Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, at 11510 SW 147th Ave is a local favorite. Chef Adrianne, known locally as a culinary artist and television personality, has published two books on cooking and prepares sumptuous dishes that guarantee a packed eatery during business hours. She serves up great filet mignons, a tasty osso buco dish and Oysters Rockefeller, depending on the season. Be sure to order your favorite wine to accompany these satiating plates.

Those looking to try dishes with a Latin flavor may wish to pass by moderately priced Casa Vieja Restaurant on SW 24th Street for authentic Colombian cuisine. You can dig into a bistec encebollado (steak sauteed with Spanish onions) or try the famous cazuela de mariscos, a seafood casserole. This restaurant's fantastic food, often complemented by live music, rumba, mariachi or karaoke, promises a good time as well as awesome eats. Bring your family and friends for a wonderful and tasty Latin American dining experience, and follow it up by singing a song or two.

If you are seeking post-dinner entertainment in the Hammocks, you may want to pass by the Blue Martini Lounge on Mills Drive. It has an appealing decor and outdoor patio, and it serves up more than forty different kinds of martinis. The Blue Martini is a great place to have a few drinks, dance and enjoy live music.

If you are looking for night-time entertainment with centralized venues within walking distance, be sure to take a trip to Miami's famous Coconut Grove. Dress to the nines, and have a drink at the posh Amadeus Bar at the Ritz Carlton.

The majority of the area’s residents utilize personal vehicles due to a rather under-integrated public transportation system. Businesses, commercial locations and restaurants always provide free parking in this tranquil and secure neighborhood. If you do not have a private vehicle, Uber's ride-share service is a viable option, in addition to taxis and buses. Since most of the people in this part of Miami have their own vehicles, taxis do not regularly traverse this primarily residential community, so you'll need to call ahead.

The Hammocks location, 3.5 miles east of highway 826, facilitates access to the Florida Turnpike and I-95. Cyclists and pedestrians have no problems in this quiet neighborhood, as traffic moves along relatively slowly, and the drivers are cautious.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, The Hammocks has more than ten parks to frequent within a 3-mile radius of the neighborhood. The acreage of Wild Lime Park, Hammocks Community Park and Water Oaks Park comprise a major part of this verdant community. Water Oaks Park has remained a local favorite for years. The park contains tennis courts, four racquetball courts, two swimming pools, a kiddie pool and a playground for children. The kids will never be bored, and most importantly, these amenities are available throughout the year and cost nothing for residents.

Wild Lime Park also hosts summer camps for kids each year. Each camp specializes in a different activity, such as nature, sports and other themes.

Dog owners can take a short drive to walk their furry friends at the West Kendall District Dog Park, located on 11255 SW 157th Avenue.

While the cost of living in the Hammocks ranks as slightly above-average in Miami, the upscale nature of the neighborhood and proximity to great schools compensates for the difference in cost. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood is $1,087 per month. You can expect to pay $6 or $7 for a beer in one of the local pubs. Gas prices in the Hammocks are approximately 5 percent higher than the national average.

Shoppers who enjoy browsing local boutiques will appreciate the area's close proximity to many fantastic locations. You can take a quick trip to Coconut Grove to stop into dozens of specialty boutiques on world famous CocoWalk, which is home to brands like Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Divine Clothes and Cronos. Coral Gables also offers a selection of higher-end boutiques that cater to some of Miami’s most affluent professionals. You may also want to take measure of the specialty stores located at Kendall Village Center, The Palms and Dadeland Mall.

For grocery shopping, many locals use Publix Supermarket at Hammocks Town Center, located at 10201 Hammocks Boulevard. If you prefer organic food, several farmers markets packed with recently harvested goodies set up in this area of Miami during the weekends and always draw a crowd. Pinecrest Farmers Market sells produce and organic food on Sundays at 11000 Red Road, and the Coconut Grove Organic Market offers its produce and mouth-watering baked goods under covered awnings at 3300 Grand Avenue on Saturdays. Both are worth the short drive.