alyssarose

Hi everyone! I just graduated from UM, but will be attending UCF for graduate school. I would be happy to answer any questions that I can! Miami is not cheap. at all. Coral Gables is quite nice but the prices reflect that. Coconut Grove is crazy because literally 3 blocks away from each other is a really high crime, dangerous area and the other side is a super exclusive, upscale area. South Miami is mixed-- it has its good patches and bad patches Merrick Park is a really nice complex and mostly UM students, but again a little pricey. Similarly Gables Point is also popular and beautiful, but a little expensive. 2 more cost efficient options are Valencia and Ludlam Point. Most apartments/condos in the Dadeland area are fairly new and nice, and about a 3 minute metro rail ride or 10 minute drive to campus. As for the person who asked about Red Road Commons, it is GORGEOUS and about 30 seconds from campus, but I do not believe it has opened yet. I think they are set to open this fall. (My complex was across the street but owned by UM and as of moving out of my place last sunday their weren't any occupants yet, still construction vehicles everywhere). The parking is expensive, a "full" permit costs $430ish and a "discount" (where you have to park in the metro rail parking lot across the street is about $220). If you are in a psyc program this will actually be a very good option, if you are elsewhere it is a little far but if you don't mind waiting for a shuttle, its certainly possible. Parking can be a little rough in the lots but in my experience you can almost always find a spot in one of the two garages. Also, there is plenty of metered parking @ $1.25/hr. Miami traffic is pretty terrible and commuting from Miami Beach to UM during 7-9am or 3:30-6:30pm will take about an hour- 1.5 hours. Non rush hour will run more like 25-45 minutes depending upon which part of the beach you reside in. Many people who want to live on the bay but not quite so far choose to live in Brickell. Its a little bit of a shorter ride and much less touristy. I spent 765/month on rent (my share of a 4/2, fully furnished, all utilities included owned by the university which formerly housed graduate students as well but they have since removed that option), about 50/month on gas, 100/month on groceries, 150/month eating out.. I did not go to bars or clubs much which adds up rather quickly (ie: a bottle of water in a south beach club is about $8). Please feel free to ask any questions! and best of luck, I'm a little jealous!