The Traveling Nurse's Guide to Neighborhoods in Miami
If you’ve accepted a travel nursing assignment in Miami, Florida or are thinking about it, you’ve made a great choice. With its beautiful beaches, sunny skies and warm weather year-round, Miami is a great city to work as a nurse or healthcare professional.
It checks all the boxes for a cosmopolitan city — a vibrant blend of cultures, a world-class restaurant and bar scene, lots of museums and performing arts, and festivals that run the gamut from art to music to fashion. But though it’s definitely a big city, Miami exudes laidback vacation vibes — it’s easy to acclimate to, despite the fact that there’s always plenty going on to keep you busy during your off time.
One of the first things any new Miami resident should do is take some time to get to know the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. We’ve prepared a useful guide to help you do just that.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is what comes to mind for most people when they think about Miami. An island that can be accessed via several causeways connected to the mainland, Miami Beach is a beach town with big-city energy. The streets are lined with candy-colored Art Deco buildings and the beaches are out of this world. And at night, the island buzzes to life with neon lights and thumping music as nightclubs set out their velvet ropes and welcome revelers to the dance floor.
Wynwood
Wynwood is Miami’s arts district. It has an industrial feel, with its many warehouses and steel-and-brick buildings, though it’s also on the rise as one of the hottest spots to live in the city. Nearly every wall in Wynwood is covered with eye-catching murals by local artists. These get painted over with new work every so often, so you can come back throughout the year and feast your eyes on new masterpieces as the seasons change. Wynwood is also home to some amazing restaurants and bars, in addition to small, intimate galleries and live-music venues.
Design District
Miami’s Design District is also home to some of the city’s best shopping. Head to Brickell City Centre for your pick of high-end designer brands and lesser-known, up-and-coming labels. Check online for events — the neighborhood often hosts concerts, fashion shows, and open-air art installations that rotate on a monthly or quarterly basis. If all that retail therapy makes you hungry, you’re in a great spot. High-end eateries like Le Jardinière, Swan, and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon offer wow-worthy eats that are well worth the splurge.
Coral Gables
With its quaint cobblestone streets, Andalusian arches, and romantic, villa-style houses, Coral Gables can make anyone feel like they’ve been transported to southern Spain. In fact, it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. This quiet, historic community feels a world away from the party vibes of South Beach and the bustle of Brickell — yet it’s only a quick drive away from the attractions at either. Coral Gables is also home to the University of Miami, the Shops at Merrick Park, and the beloved Coral Gables Museum. A great way to explore it is to hop on the free local trolley and enjoy the sights.
Coconut Grove
Lush foliage, beautiful bays, and rich history characterize Coconut Grove, located just a stone’s throw from Brickell and Coral Gable. This neighborhood is home to the iconic estate-turned-museum Vizcaya, The Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden, and the Barnacle Historic State Park. Its marina also offers easy access to romantic keys like Dinner Key Picnic Island Park and West Island Park.
Coconut Grove’s style is a blend of boho-chic and country-club cool. Its community is just as colorful as its brightly painted shops and cafes, comprising affluent business owners and executives, artists, laidback boaters and fishermen, and young families.
Brickell / Downtown
Most locals lump Brickell and the downtown area together into one neighborhood — Miami’s financial and commercial center. Though not as fast-paced or crowded as downtowns in New York City or Chicago, Miami’s business hub offers a slew of amenities to please execs — great restaurants frequented for power lunches and client dinners, lounges that serve as the perfect happy hour setting, and even nightclubs for anyone looking to keep the party going into the early hours.
The Downtown/Brickell area is also a center for culture and art — it’s home to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Honorable Mentions
Again, these are just Miami’s best-known neighborhoods. Over the years, nearby communities have also developed and flourished — Little Havana, Little Haiti, Hialeah, Key Biscayne, and Bal Harbour also beckon with their own unique atmosphere and appeal.
No matter where you choose to live during your traveling healthcare assignment in Miami, you’re bound to have a blast enjoying this one-of-a-kind city. Interested in finding out more about the life of a traveling nurse? Contact our staffing experts at CareStaf today.
