Beginners’ Guide to Miami Beach – Part One: Orientation

Welcome to Miami! Bienvenido a Miami! So Will Smith says in his 1998 smash hit. In this article, we'll be taking a brief look at the various different neighbourhoods in Miami Beach. Over the next few months, we'll explore each one in more detail in an occasional series of articles, mixed in with the usual lifestyle and real estate articles that you'll find in this Miami Beach blog. We'll start the Guide with an introduction to the city that has become known as "The Billion Dollar Sandbar."

Miami Beach is an island separated from Downtown Miami by Biscayne Bay, which merges with the Atlantic Ocean. The first road bridge from Downtown Miami was built in 1913 by John Collins. Now there are five road bridges connecting Miami Beach with mainland South Florida. The sea waters surrounding Miami Beach are probably the cleanest and clearest in the US, despite the Port of Miami in Downtown Miami being one of the busiest cruise and cargo ports in the country. Dotted in the ocean around Miami Beach are exclusive and star-studded islands full of super-exclusive luxury houses, such as this spectacular home sold earlier this year for $9.35m, and 'The Villa Stella' on sale now.

Miami Beach has been built on international trade, immigration, fashion and tourism. Founded in the late 19th Century, some of most historic buildings in Miami Beach can be found in the historic Art Deco district dating from the 1920's, when it became a playground for the rich and famous for the first time.

An influx of Jewish immigrants has also shaped the Miami Beach of today. During the mid 20th Century, there was enforced segregation, where Jewish people were only allowed to live in the area south of 5th street, sometimes known as SoFi. The area developed a strong Jewish identity, and as time has passed, the area has transformed into one of the most desirable locations to buy real estate, with luxury buildings such as The Apogee and The Continuum.

South Beach is probably the most famous part of Miami Beach and includes the Art Deco district and SoFi, as well as all other areas South of Indian Creek at around 23rd Street. Famous for photogenic glamour at the beach and also the world famous Ocean Drive, South Beach is the centre of fun and nightlife in Miami Beach. The area has grown in popularity from the 1980's onwards when the hit TV series Miami Vice, followed by the inaugural Winter Music Conference and the relocation of several international model agencies, re-established Miami Beach as a place where the beautiful people come to have fun in the sun.

Mid Beach is quieter than its raucous southern neighbour and has become a popular residential area. Famous for spectacular hotels such as the Fountainbleau, Mid Beach was also the location of the The Jackie Gleason Show in the 1950's.

North Beach stretches from 63rd Street upwards and includes Bal Harbour, with its designer shopping mall and ample mooring for your luxury yacht!

We hope you enjoyed this basic introduction to Miami Beach. We will look more closely at the various residential districts of Miami Beach over the next few months. So watch this space!

Kelly Charles is a licensed Florida Realtor working in Miami Beach. She specialises in helping overseas investors enter the Miami real estate market.

www.BritishMiamiRealtor.com