Miami’s Exclusive Neighborhoods for Luxury Real Estate

Miami’s opulence is on display almost everywhere you go. 

From the exquisite high-rises overlooking stretches of famous beachfront to the exclusive neighborhoods with palatial homes, each neighborhood raises the bar for high-class living. With luxury amenities like private docks and infinity pools, you can expect high prices when approaching some of these billionaire bunkers. 

Buyers interested in the Magic City’s luxury real estate will likely explore options on private islands or perusing historic manors. 

The only things that will limit you in Miami are your imagination and budget. So if you want to learn more about the affluent life in South Florida, check out this collection of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Miami.

Most Exclusive Miami Neighborhoods

• Gables Estates
• Key Biscayne
• Bal Harbour
• Indian Creek
• Star Island
• Fisher Island
• Bay Point
• Belle Meade
• Venetian Islands

Gables Estates

First up on the list is the prestigious community of Gables Estates. This waterfront neighborhood is part of Coral Gables, about 30 minutes from Downtown Miami and south of Coconut Grove

The distance from Downtown means that high-couture shopping is always close. But you are just far enough to enjoy peaceful evenings on tree-lined streets featuring homes with elegant architecture. You can find white-washed, stucco-sided mansions with Mediterranean terracotta roofs and post-modern compounds with the latest architectural flair. 

Many of Gables Estates’ homes feature expansive lots, private docks, lush landscaping, and resort-style pools, offering the epitome of luxury living in Miami. So you can expect high home prices here, making it one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Miami. 

This development is similar to Gables by the Sea to the south, where just about every home has waterfront access. Owning a house in Gables Estates gives you easy access to the shores of Biscayne Bay, providing a direct link to the Atlantic. 

If you prefer to spend your days on land, you can join the exclusive Gables Estates Club, which offers tennis and social events to members.

Key Biscayne

If you want the island lifestyle without sacrificing commute time, turn your attention to the island paradise of Key Biscayne. 

White sand beaches and clear blue waters surround this secluded section of South Florida, creating a serene atmosphere for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle not far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Folks traveling into Miami enjoy an efficient commute from Key Biscayne, as the drive typically takes about 20 minutes. 

Key Biscayne has an almost suburban feel, as multiple streets crisscross across the island. But do not let the suburban feel fool you, there are many modern homes and large Spanish-styled compounds lining the streets.

Plus, you do not need to leave the island to have a great time, as you can lounge out at Key Biscayne Beach or explore the trails at Bill Baggs Cape State Park. Shoppers can even get their fix in at Crandon Boulevard, where there is a mix of boutique shopping and grocery stores for locals. 

When buying a home, you can find the most luxurious properties on Mashta Island, near the island's southern side. Folks living in the interior of Key Biscayne do not need to worry, as they can join the Key Biscayne Yacht Club and have a place to dock their vessel.

If spending your time on the golf course is your passion, you can book a tee time at the public Crandon Golf Course at Key Biscayne.

Bal Harbour

Folks who equally love lounging by the water and high-end shopping should check out homes for sale in Bal Harbour. Located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Intracoastal, this neighborhood is home to the Bal Harbour Shops. 

This swanky outlet is where you can find high-fashion brands like Saks Fifth Avenue, Tory Burch, and Fendi.

Homes in Bal Harbour usually sit on larger plots of land, giving residents larger homes and yards to relax in. Many homes and condos in Bal Harbour offer breathtaking ocean views, and the beach is only moments away. Interested buyers can explore home options that offer private boat slips, while others can park their yachts at the Bal Harbour Marina

But if you prefer condo life, plenty of units are available in the high-rises on the eastern side of Bal Harbour, where amenities abound beyond the easy access to the beach.

Bal Harbour residents that plan to head to Miami can expect a 45-minute drive most days,  but considering the exquisite shopping, dining, and entertainment options, you may find yourself cutting back on visits to Downtown Miami.

Indian Creek

Some golfers dream of owning a home right off the fairway of their favorite golf course, close to the tee box but not too close to the green. But the dreamers exploring luxury real estate in South Florida not only have a chance to own a home with a front lawn directly on the links but with a private dock to boot. 

Indian Creek Island is an ultra-exclusive island community in Miami-Dade County, where a small number of luxury homes for sale make it one of the most sought-after Miami neighborhoods for discerning buyers who want privacy and discretion. 

But besides the unparalleled luxury housing stock, world-class golfing is the island’s most iconic feature; each homeowner on the island has direct access to The Indian Creek Country Club just by stepping out of their front door.

The championship-level course features picture-perfect views of the Miami skyline at almost every hole. 

But, while the front yard is dedicated to golf, the backyard is all about waterfront living. Most of the island’s exclusive homes come with a private dock, which offers a space to lounge out in the evening or enjoy the views of Biscayne Bay. 

When it comes to shopping, locals have nearby Bal Harbour to get their retail therapy in and go out for dinner. This is a plus as there are none on Indian Creek beyond the fine dining at the country club.

Star Island

It is no secret that luxury real estate in Miami is in a class of its own. But most of those properties can't hold a candle to the homes on Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island. 

Located in Biscayne Bay, these islands are a waterfront paradise offering unparalleled privacy and seclusion. As such, many famous people have bought mansions here over the years. World-renowned singers like Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias have called Star Island home, along with notorious figures like Al Capone. 

It is easy to see why these celebrities were drawn here, as each property features expansive waterfront footage with private docks and outdoor amenities, making it one of the richest neighborhoods in Miami. Yet, despite being hidden from the public, residents who live on Star, Palm, or Hibiscus Island actually live in the heart of Miami. 

The MacArthur Causeway connects these islands to Downtown Miami and South Beach, so folks are never far from the city’s world-class nightlife and shopping locales. The other benefit of this location is the easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, as the Government Cut to the east offers a quick escape to deeper waters. 

But when it comes time to end the night, residents of Star Island know they are going home to some of the most exclusive properties in America.

Fisher Island

While Star Island offers remarkable single-family homes, Fisher Island is where you go if you're looking for ultra-luxury condos. 

For many years, the Vanderbilt family owned the island. But developers purchased the island and began building homes in the late 70s. Locals can only get to the island via ferry, personal boat, or helicopter, creating another worldly experience that is impossible to reproduce. 

Similar to Indian Creek, locals living on Fisher Island have a private golf course at their disposal, which means it is easy to hit the links any day of the week. But unlike Indian Creek, locals living in the condo towers of Fisher Island give a whole new meaning to living off the fairway. 

But golf isn't the only pastime in this tight-knit community. Fishing and boating are huge pulls here, and residents can dock their boats at Fisher Island South Pier or the private pier slightly up the coast. Fisher Island is self-contained, but luckily locals have the Fisher Island Market to get groceries. 

If folks aren't dining Downtown, you can find them at the southern tip of the island, taking in the view over dinner at the Fisher Island Beach Club.

Bay Point

While many of the exclusive island communities of Miami are closer to the Atlantic Ocean, there are opportunities to buy luxury property closer to the mainland at places like Bay Point. 

A small canal separates Bay Point from the rest of the Morningside community. As such, a handful of homes on the waterfront have private docks. But even if you buy a house off the water, you can expect estates with large plots of land and lush landscaping. Bay Point offers residents a protected community with 24-hour security and well-maintained streets.

Bay Point is located just south of Morningside Park, only 15 minutes from downtown Miami. This proximity means easier commutes to the office and seamless access to the Design District, Wynwood Arts District, and Miami Beach. 

While you can also take a trip Downtown for high-end shopping, Biscayne Boulevard is where locals can find a Publix, a CVS, and several other small businesses 

Belle Meade

Like Bay Point, Belle Meade is another gated community island closer to the mainland than the Atlantic. 

This slice of Miami is quite historical, as most of the homes built here date back to the 1920s and 30s, which means buyers will find examples of Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and Mediterranean Revival-style homes. But unlike Bay Point to the South, most homes here have backyards with private waterfront access. 

These types of homes are a big pull for luxury buyers looking for an older slice of Miami living, as it is hard to find homes like this in the city. 

While Belle Meade is a bit farther from Downtown Miami and the shopping at Bal Harbour, folks living here can get their shopping fix in at one of the shopping centers along NE 79th Street. This road also takes drivers out towards North Bay and Treasure Islands.

Venetian Islands

Some of Miami's most unique luxury homes sit on the paradise-like Venetian Islands. 

Located in the heart of Biscayne Bay, the islands were built in the 1920s and 30s, and developers aimed to mimic the elegance of Venice, Italy. They did this by replicating the canals, bridges, and waterways in a manner that pays tribute to the historic Italian city. 

As such, you can expect to find plenty of historic Miami homes here, from Art Decos to Mediterranean compounds. Five islands comprise the Venetian Islands: Biscayne Island, San Marco Island, San Marino Island, Di Lido Island, Rivo Alto Island, and Belle Isle. 

But the most luxurious of the three are San Marino Island, Di Lido Island, and Rivo Alto Island. Most of the homes on these islands have private docks and sit on sizable plots of land, creating an air of peace and quiet in the middle of Miami. 

For folks going to Downtown or South Beach, the Venetian Causeway is the perfect way to get to other parts of the city.

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