Guide: Moving to South Miami, FL, High Pines or Ponce-Davis
At Goldman Residential Group, we understand that finding the right property is only part of a successful residential real estate transaction. We pride ourselves on helping our clients find the best fit for them and their families in this large, diverse city. We hope you enjoy this neighborhood guide curated by Hazel and Evan!
Introduction to South Miami, FL, High Pines or Ponce-Davis
The City of South Miami is a suburban city located west of Coral Gables and north of Pinecrest. Rich in diversity, this community is wonderfully ever-changing.
It’s well-situated and residents can benefit from its proximity to all points within Miami.
High Pines and Ponce-Davis are neighborhoods near the City of South Miami. Although often lumped together with the City of South Miami because of their geographic proximity to one another, both the High Pines and Ponce-Davis neighborhoods are subdivisions of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Both are single-family neighborhoods: the High Pines area is family-friendly, with very desirable and reasonably affordable lots. The Ponce-Davis area is named for the streets which intersect it: Ponce de Leon Blvd. (SW 47th Avenue) and David Road (SW 80th Street). This quiet area is known for its large, beautiful acre lots and lavish custom homes.
Things To Do In South Miami, FL, High Pines or Ponce-Davis
There is much for residents of South Miami and its surrounding neighborhoods to enjoy. Here are some of our favorite things to do:
Visit the Shops at Sunset Place, an open-air shopping mall and movie theater.
Dine and shop along Sunset Drive and Red Road. Charming boutiques and a variety of dining options give it a wonderful main street feel!
Get outdoor time at Dante Fascell Park, one of the best parks in the City of South Miami. It’s got everything you need in a quiet, peaceful setting. There is plenty of shade to shield you from the sun. Its playground and walking trail are perfect for daily movement. The park also has clay tennis courts and a handball court, as well as basketball and beach volleyball half courts.
Best Schools In South Miami, FL, High Pines or Ponce-Davis
We understand that being near quality schools is important for our home buyers. Here are some of the best schools in the South Miami, FL area:
The Mandelstam School is a highly rated, private school with less than 100 students ranging from grades pre-kindergarten to 5th grade.
Sunset Elementary School is an international school of excellence for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. It offers students three advanced education programs: International Studies Program, International Education Program, and Pangea Gifted Program.
Epiphany Catholic School is a private school serving students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade. In addition to its academic curriculum, it also teaches students Catholic values. To ensure students receive the best education, staff undergoes continued education including courses on how to better understand and assist students with disabilities.
The new South Miami K-8 Center is one of the best schools in South Miami. It is known for being a magnet school for the arts providing art, music, dance, and drama instruction for eligible students.
St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School offers a nurturing environment for students as young as three years old through fifth grade. It offers students a fully integrated STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and upholds Episcopal values to raise individuals of integrity, empathy, and respect.
Somerset Academy South Miami offers language programs in both Spanish and Mandarin for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Somerset SoMi is a member of the Somerset Academy family of high-performing charter schools and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is an all-girls Catholic high school. It has been recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the country and a twice-named Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Students benefit from its strong academic curriculum, competitive athletics program, and emphasis on spiritual service.
Riviera Schools is a private school that offers an intimate environment with top resources and programs to create well-rounded students. It has two campuses: the Riviera Day School Campus (for grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade) and the Riviera Preparatory School Campus (for grades 8th through 12th).
Best Restaurants In South Miami, FL, High Pines or Ponce-Davis
There are a variety of dining options in the City of South Miami! Many of the restaurants we’ve highlighted below are local favorites and long-time establishments in the area.
Café Pastis is a quaint French bistro that transports you to the charming neighborhood eateries of the Provence region in the South of France. Contributing to this restaurant’s success is its commitment to freshness and quality. Among its most popular dishes is the bouillabaisse which is served with freshly baked French bread and pairs well with a glass of wine.
Fiola Miami brings the cuisine and culture of Italy to this Miami neighborhood. Its menu consists of handmade pasta, seafood & other Italian specialties. It was recognized as one of the Top 50 Outdoor Restaurants of 2021, and it’s also been recognized by Wine Spectator, Traveler’s Choice, and OpenTable in previous years.
Old Lisbon is a delicious Portuguese restaurant located in the heart of the Sunset Drive shopping district. It’s been serving authentic Portuguese cuisine to South Miami residents for years!
Root & Bone is a Southern restaurant that pays homage to timeless American recipes but with a conscientious flair. While it’s a newer restaurant in the area, the gorgeous aesthetic and sustainably sourced, farm-fresh ingredients make it a staple for locals.
Town Kitchen & Bar is a longtime favorite among locals because of its seasonally rotating food and cocktail menu including specialty pizzas. It’s also a fabulous spot for brunch.
Two Chefs Restaurant takes a contemporary approach to American and French cuisine and prides itself on retaining a “neighborhood restaurant” vibe. Menus are innovated weekly and feature local and seasonal creations. Its soufflés are showstopping and a must-have.
Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering is a charming restaurant that serves up comfort food. It’s perfect for brunch, but it also has delicious daily specials and holiday menus.
Café Pastis is a quaint French bistro that transports you to the charming neighborhood eateries of the Provence region in the South of France. Contributing to this restaurant’s success is its commitment to freshness and quality. Among its most popular dishes is the bouillabaisse which is served with freshly baked French bread and pairs well with a glass of wine.
Fiola Miami brings the cuisine and culture of Italy to this Miami neighborhood. Its menu consists of handmade pasta, seafood & other Italian specialties. It was recognized as one of the Top 50 Outdoor Restaurants of 2021, and it’s also been recognized by Wine Spectator, Traveler’s Choice, and OpenTable in previous years.
Old Lisbon is a delicious Portuguese restaurant located in the heart of the Sunset Drive shopping district. It’s been serving authentic Portuguese cuisine to South Miami residents for years!
Root & Bone is a Southern restaurant that pays homage to timeless American recipes but with a conscientious flair. While it’s a newer restaurant in the area, the gorgeous aesthetic and sustainably sourced, farm-fresh ingredients make it a staple for locals.
Town Kitchen & Bar is a longtime favorite among locals because of its seasonally rotating food and cocktail menu including specialty pizzas. It’s also a fabulous spot for brunch.
Two Chefs Restaurant takes a contemporary approach to American and French cuisine and prides itself on retaining a “neighborhood restaurant” vibe. Menus are innovated weekly and feature local and seasonal creations. Its soufflés are showstopping and a must-have.
Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering is a charming restaurant that serves up comfort food. It’s perfect for brunch, but it also has delicious daily specials and holiday menus.
Your Dream Home Is Closer Than You Think
We partner with each client to find, not only the best property, but THE dream home that perfectly fits their lifestyle. With 59 years of combined experience and as life-long residents of South Florida, we have a deep understanding of the most coveted communities in this vibrant city. We are also client-centric in our approach, reducing the stressors that accompany residential real estate in a competitive market. We can help you and your family find the best home in the perfect neighborhood as well as painters, decorators, stagers, marble installers, landscapers, insurance options, plumbers, etc., to make your home exactly what you want it to be. We can offer you many options for anyone in any field who can assist you in getting your home up to the standards you want. Get in touch with us today.