How is the public transportation to South Beach

[Spitfirex007]

I am looking to move there around June (Maybe fall if things don't goes as planned) I wanna live and work in South Beach but the rent may be too high. At least until I find a job and get started. Thou I might have 1 or 2 others coming with me. So that would help for sure.

But how is public transportation from say N. Beach, Mid Town or one of the area's around Sobe? I will be without a car for at least 6 months. And then I was planing on getting a bike instead of a car.

[TheRealEdwin]

It's doable but be ready for frustration. Miami is not a heaven for either cyclists or public transit. Our only rail system, the Metrorail is heavily neglected and full of cronyism when it comes to construction. Expect buses to be late, don't show up, and be stuck in traffic. Sometimes it was faster to walk than take the bus. But, if you do live as close to work as possible, you can bike everywhere. I just did this myself in Coconut Grove and it's a wonderful thing. I highly suggest you look into the local cycling scene, as well as the national ones.

Bike Hugger
Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips: Introduction
Amazon.com: The Bike to Work Guide: What You Need to Know to Save Gas, Go Green, Get Fit (9781605506333): Roni Sarig, Paul Dorn: Books
Advocating for More, Safer, Better Bicycling in South Florida
Commute by Bike | Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuting
Miami Bike Scene
Slow Bike Miami

[Jess]

If you are going to live on the mainland, I would only use Venetian to cross over to the beach. I don't have a car and use my bike everywhere, but I think it may get pretty old if you have big distances, plus...please do not underestimate our rain storms! The beach floods badly. Luckily public transport from mid town, downtown or mid/north beach is pretty good, the buses run roughly every ten minutes, so if you ever don't want to use your bike you have other options.

[Spitfirex007]

If you are going to live on the mainland, I would only use Venetian to cross over to the beach. I don't have a car and use my bike everywhere, but I think it may get pretty old if you have big distances, plus...please do not underestimate our rain storms! The beach floods badly. Luckily public transport from mid town, downtown or mid/north beach is pretty good, the buses run roughly every ten minutes, so if you ever don't want to use your bike you have other options.

Thanks for the help. Yeah I wanna stick to walking and buses until I figure some stuff out. So wasn't sure if South Beach would be my only option to live if I worked out that way. And when I said bike. I mean a motorcycle. But a pedal bike is not a bad idea either.

[Matt Meltzer]

I think if you can afford it Brickell might be an even better option. It would only be one bus I think out to the Beach, and the public transportation ability there is better than South Beach, if you're looking to travel the whole city. From the beach you pretty much have to get into Brickell or downtown to transfer to go anywhere else in the city.

[sungal]

I think if you can afford it Brickell might be an even better option. It would only be one bus I think out to the Beach, and the public transportation ability there is better than South Beach, if you're looking to travel the whole city. From the beach you pretty much have to get into Brickell or downtown to transfer to go anywhere else in the city.

My friend who lives in Brickell told me there's no bus to South Beach..

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi Spitfire,

Please visit our local public transportation website. There is a bus route map, links to updates on bus routes and a number you can call for specific route advice 305-891-3131 (that's what I recommend the most -- talk to a person.) Website here: Transit

Edwin is right about the cronyism, but that doesn't affect day to day business on the metrorail. It's a great way of getting around but in your case won't help you get straight to the beach. If you lived in South Miami, for example, you could use metrorail plus bus. Or if you lived in Brickell, you could take the bus or a metromover/bus combo to the beach. (Metromover is a free electric rail that goes between Brickell and downtown.)

The other thing to keep in mind is when you plan on commuting. I believe some bus routes are slower at night. You could spend a lot of time waiting and that's going to be awful if you get stuck in the rain.

Have you looked into rent prices and sharing an apt (if you come here with people?) You may not need to live off south beach. Also consider other areas of Miami Beach that are straight off Collins Avenue. That's a north-south bus route. You could live in mid-beach and work in south beach. Rents tend to be cheaper north of south beach.

By the way, I realize it's a personal preference, but the idea of getting around in a motorcycle in Miami gives me chills. Our drivers are crazy and inconsiderate and it's so dangerous. I would never recommend a motorcycle/scooter for commuting unless you were going really local, like say, sticking around the beaches or just tooling around particular neighborhoods and even then I would still hesitate.

[Spitfirex007]

Hi Spitfire,

Please visit our local public transportation website. There is a bus route map, links to updates on bus routes and a number you can call for specific route advice 305-891-3131 (that's what I recommend the most -- talk to a person.) Website here: Transit

Edwin is right about the cronyism, but that doesn't affect day to day business on the metrorail. It's a great way of getting around but in your case won't help you get straight to the beach. If you lived in South Miami, for example, you could use metrorail plus bus. Or if you lived in Brickell, you could take the bus or a metromover/bus combo to the beach. (Metromover is a free electric rail that goes between Brickell and downtown.)

The other thing to keep in mind is when you plan on commuting. I believe some bus routes are slower at night. You could spend a lot of time waiting and that's going to be awful if you get stuck in the rain.

Have you looked into rent prices and sharing an apt (if you come here with people?) You may not need to live off south beach. Also consider other areas of Miami Beach that are straight off Collins Avenue. That's a north-south bus route. You could live in mid-beach and work in south beach. Rents tend to be cheaper north of south beach.

By the way, I realize it's a personal preference, but the idea of getting around in a motorcycle in Miami gives me chills. Our drivers are crazy and inconsiderate and it's so dangerous. I would never recommend a motorcycle/scooter for commuting unless you were going really local, like say, sticking around the beaches or just tooling around particular neighborhoods and even then I would still hesitate.

Thanks. This is a ton of help! I would def love roommates. It would certainly be easier. The 2 that might be coming with me are still on the fence. So I might just need to wait until I get there and met people. I don't really trust craigslist. And can't really find any other rental sites other then some high end condo's.

[Matt Meltzer]

Spitfire, I just followed your Facebook link. Judging by your profile pic, the Julia Tuttle Causeway may be your only residence option. At least if the info in this thread is correct...

Shanty town under Julia Tuttle - GONE !

[Spitfirex007]

Spitfire, I just followed your Facebook link. Judging by your profile pic, the Julia Tuttle Causeway may be your only residence option. At least if the info in this thread is correct...

Shanty town under Julia Tuttle - GONE !

Huh? ha am I missing something?

[Matt Meltzer]

The thread discussed how public urination can get you labeled as a sex offender.

[Spitfirex007]

The thread discussed how public urination can get you labeled as a sex offender.

LOL oh ok. That is crazy they can label you a sex offender for doing that in public. But of course we were not actually urinating in public.

[Jess]

My friend who lives in Brickell told me there's no bus to South Beach..

Not exactly... But you just get the free metro mover to Omni and there's about 5 different buses to get you over to the beach.

[Matt Meltzer]

LOL oh ok. That is crazy they can label you a sex offender for doing that in public. But of course we were not actually urinating in public.

Good. Make sure that is your answer in any public forum.

[Spitfirex007]

Good. Make sure that is your answer in any public forum.

I am glad you pointed out the fact that they can label you a sex offender for it. I never heard of that in any city or state!