Miami, Florida is known for its sun, sand and beautiful people. The sunny city, with its "gold coast", and glamorous South Beach lifestyle provides an attractive backdrop affording one many opportunities for finding an enjoyable living environment. The stunning beaches, elegant shopping centers, upscale nightclubs, and diverse culture make the idea of living in short term rentals in Miami one of the most attractive housing options around.

South Beach
Although known worldwide as its own little neighborhood, is actually the very southern section of Miami Beach. This roughly mile square area is often called "the American Riviera", and is also known as Miami's Art Deco district. The locals here know that a walking tour of Collins and Washington Avenue host more than famous nightclubs and fine dining. Miami short term rentals in South Beach offer easy access to the stunning, smooth-sand beaches occupied by bikini-clad, sun-kissed bodies, and are conveniently close to the many restaurants, shops, art galleries, and nightclubs scattered throughout the area. South Beach is also world renowned as one of the nightlife hotspots of North America, and attracts beautiful people and celebrities from all over.

Miami Beach
Known for its huge string of hotels along its pristine beaches, as well as for its famous Lincoln Road Mall and upscale shopping centers, Miami Beach is world famous for being one of the hottest resort destinations in the world. It's easy to see why people flock to the sun, surf and sand in stunning Miami Beach, and why you'll find many choices for furnished apartments Miami there.

Coral Gables
The residents of Coral Gables enjoy life at a slightly more relaxed pace than the brassier, bustling areas of Downtown Miami. The streets are lined with leafy shade trees, and at the heart of this tasteful escape is the Miracle Mile, a strip populated by opportunities for fine dining and cultural enrichment as well as upscale shopping in the boutiques.

Downtown Miami
Located along Biscayne Bay, the downtown section of Miami is also known as Brickell. This is the business center of the city, so this is where you'll find most of Miami's office towers. Housing has become a hot commodity in Brickell over recent years, and with relatively small amount of space, it's gone mostly vertical in the form of luxurious high rise condo buildings. There are breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay from most offices and condos in the area, and this, along with the convenience of having world class shopping and dining all within close walking distance, is another reason people gravitate here. Martini and oyster bars abound in this upscale business-focused area, with fine dining featuring famous chefs like Norman Van Aken at the Miami Culinary Institute.

Coconut Grove
This little town is the oldest settlement in Miami, and features the Barnacle Historic State Park as well as other architectural beauties. You'll also find many boutiques and side-walk cafes that thrill the eye and create an aura of serene culturally-rich relaxation.

Kendall
Kendall has an easy-going suburban feel makes this square-mile area a perfect neighborhood for those seeking the convenience of nearby shopping centers and the relaxation of a residential neighborhood.

Key Biscayne
One of Miami's centers of fresh air and outdoor sports, and offers some of the most attractive cycling, hiking, and walking opportunities in Miami. The Rickenbacker Causeway leading to the island in Biscayne Bay is a popular place for runners and cyclists alike. Tennis and golf are also a big part of the more quiet, laid back lifestyle this area offers to it's residents.

Aventura
This is a place which provides residents with a pleasant mix of convenience and residential life. Many very large, tall condo projects abound, catering to those wishing to be near the beach and the boating opportunities. The enormous (& world famous) Aventura Mall provides numerous convenient shopping options, while thrill-seekers will appreciate the easy access to fishing, boating, and other marine sports in the huge Aventura Marina area. The fact that this area is located almost exactly half way between Miami and Fort Lauderdale is another reason why this hugely popular coastal neighborhood attracts so many residents.

Doral
Located not far from Miami International Airport, Doral provides residents with expanses of green, and a sprawling, upscale club facility at Doral Golf Course. The once-quiet hub's proximity to the Airport has spawned the growth of attractive bars, pubs, clubs, and other conveniences that make Doral an attractive neighborhood for short term rentals Miami.

Dadeland
Dadeland, with its lower rent and middle-class feel can be misleading. Its convenient proximity to Miami's Metrorail, one of the most popular and convenient modes of local public transportation, make it a popular neighborhood. The nearby Dadeland Mall is another attractive aspect of this charming neighborhood, and another reason to consider the Dadeland area when looking for furnished apartments in Miami.

Sunny Isles
This is a major cultural center, with Little Moscow's heart beating within the line of Russian stores lining Collin's Avenue. Its proximity to some of Miami's most beautiful beaches, and its up-and-coming feel, make Sunny Isles a perfect place for the urban professional to reside.

Here at Short Term Stay Miami, we know that getting around the area's three municipalities can be intimidating at times. But those in the know will realize that living in furnished apartments in Miami can be quite convenient as long as one understands the local travel patterns. Drivers who remember that Miami's quadrants are laid out with numbered streets, and that roadways labeled "street", "lane", or "terrace" run east to west, paralleling I-75 and Miami Avenue, while those labeled "avenue", "court" or "place" run north to south, following I-95 and Flagler Street. In addition to its convenient grid pattern, Miami features one of the top-rated public transportation systems in the state.

Public Transportation
The MetroDade Transportation Administration oversees Miami's famous Metrorail system, an elevated railway that covers a 21 and a half mile route from just outside Miami to the south to Miami-Dade in the north. The line travels through South Miami, Coral Gables and Brickell, and toward the Hialeah district, providing connections to all the major areas of the city.

Downtown, passengers can take advantage of the free MetroMover system, an elevated track with cars that shuttle riders without charge to destinations throughout Omni and Brickell. The Metrorail system also connects commuters to the TriRail system and the MetroBus which runs nearly 24/7. Regular riders can purchase a monthly Metropass, which allows for unlimited travel on the Metrobus and Metrorail. Sixty-day Easy Ticket passes are also available from the Mercado Miami Store, Concourse F at MIA, and at Welcome Centers and certain other locations. South Beach also boasts the South Beach Local, an extremely inexpensive and convenient bus line serving the island.

Taxis
Taxi service is easy to find at the stands located outside hotels and shopping malls, or you can always reach them by telephone. When you're staying in furnished apartments Miami, especially if you're living in or around the downtown area, cabs are one very convenient and inexpensive way to get around the city. They're also quite popular if you're staying in the South Beach area. Taxi services include Super Yellow Cab, Tropical Pedicabs, Key Biscayne Taxi & Limo, Best Yellow Taxi Service, Medley Taxi, Super Nice Cab Corp., Miami Cab, & Doral Taxi.

Driving
Miami is divided into four roughly-equal quadrants by I-95 running north to south, and I-75 running east to west. Driving can be a bit hectic during the busiest times of the day, but the numbered streets, beginning at Miami Avenue (east to west) and Flagler Street (north to south), make navigating easier. The numbers and sensible patterns of Miami's streets make it easy for the urban professional staying in a short term rental in Miami to learn to find their way around the city.

Airports
Miami, Florida boasts two main airports, Miami International Airport (MIA), and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). MIA is by far the largest South Florida airport, featuring 49 different airlines. Located just 10 miles outside of South Beach, and a mere 8 miles from Miami proper, MIA is a convenient choice for travelers looking for a short shuttle-ride. Fort Lauderdale Airport is less chaotic, but located an additional 15 miles outside Miami. The ride from FLL can take up to 45 minutes in traffic, but it's definitely the more relaxing choice for travelers who have some extra time.

If there's one thing Miami residents understand, it's having fun in the sun. Whether you prefer lounging during the day on one of Miami's pristine beaches, or entering into the throbbing, incessant rhythm of some of the most upscale nightclubs in the world during the night, living in furnished apartments in Miami never has to be boring.

Outdoor Activities
A Miami short term rental is never far from any type of outdoor activity. Take a gentle stroll along 18 holes at the Doral Golf Resort or the public Crandon Park Golf Course, or rent a bicycle for the day and explore South Beach. Advanced bikers might enjoy challenging themselves against the incline on the Rickenbacker Causeway, and enjoy some of the most stunning views of the city.

Surfers, kayakers and canoeists will enjoy Biscayne Bay's many attractions for boating and cruising. Haulover Beach Park and South Pointe Park offer some of the best surf-fishing opportunities, and deep-sea fishing tours are plentiful.

The Miami Seaquarium is a chance to visit over 10,000 aquatic animals, and the Zoo Miami is an opportunity to visit over 300 species of animal roaming through a "cage less zoo". For those who prefer flora to fauna, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden just south of Coconut Grove is a paradise featuring 83 acres of rare tropical plants and a rainforest exhibit. Other popular attractions are Monkey Jungle, Sea Grass Adventures, and Coral Castle.

Sports for Spectators
Miami is home to several major sports teams and sporting venues, some of the most popular of which are:

• The Miami Marlins are South Florida's professional baseball team. Their home park is called Marlin's Park, which is located at 501 Marlins Way (NW 16th Avenue), Miami, Florida 33125. The Marlins are a member of Major League Baseball's Eastern Division, and they are part of the baseball's National League.
• The Miami Heat is Miami's professional basketball team. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Their home court is at the American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami.
• The University of Miami Hurricanes basketball team also play their games at the famous Orange Bowl, while the Florida International University's Golden Panthers games are at the Golden Panther Arena
• Thoroughbred horses race at Hialeah Park Race Track and Calder Race Course.
• The Grand Prix of Miami is the city's famous auto race which takes place at the Metro-Dade Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Arts & Culture
The Wolfsonian Museum brings 19th and 20th century political propaganda to life, while the Miami Art Museum, conveniently located not far from several of our short term rentals Miami locations, is home to international post-WWII era art. The Bass Museum of Art provides a look at some of the classic European artists from the 15th through the 18th centuries. The Miami Art Museum, housed in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, is a mix of old and new, with exhibits that change often. The Miami Children's Museum offers the kids a chance to explore a gallery of international teddy bears, and to experience the World Music Studio which allows kids to try out different musical instruments. Miami is one of the premier supporters of the Arts. The Bernice Steinbaum Gallery features modern multimedia exhibits, while the Rubell Family Collection, housed in a former DEA warehouse, features an impressive collection of contemporary art. For serious collectors of modern art, one of the best-known galleries in Miami is Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts. The Kevin Bruk Gallery features up and coming and established photographers, painters and sculptors from around the world, while CIFO supports Latin American artists working in contemporary multidisciplinary arts.

Preforming arts in Miami abound. Some of the top venues include: The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Preforming Arts of Miami-Dade County, the Florida Grand Opera, Bardot, and the Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra. For Broadway and off-Broadway show lovers, theaters include the Jackie Gleason Theater, Actor's Playhouse, and the Coconut Grove Playhouse.

Dining
From El Toro Taco Family Restaurant in South Miami to Jumbos in Downtown, to truly upscale fine dining like Wish's Mediterranean cuisine, Miami has fare to suit every palate, budget and mood. Short term rentals in Miami offer opportunities to sample some of the finest food from around the world.

For the quick, inexpensive lunch on the run, Brickell's Dogma Grill is a good bet. Here Comes the Sun, not far from several locations for furnished apartments Miami, offers "natural" fare, while Kon Chau in West Miami near the airport is known for its Chinese.

Steaks and chops can be found at Las Vacas Gordas, and Grillfish offers seafood. Le Bouchon Du Grove in Coconut Grove has French cuisine, and an atmosphere more suited to a somewhat casual business luncheon or dinner. Randazzo's Little Italy in Coral Gables offers a nice mid-level dining experience, and The River Seafood and Oyster Bar, or Area 31, both in Downtown, offer opportunities to enjoy some of Miami's fresh fish. For a more impressive cultural experience, consider NAOE Miami, where the sushi is so fresh it's nearly swimming, or Scarpetta, for truly authentic Italian gourmet, with prices to match.

Nightlife
Miami is known around the world as the playground of the stars, and the nightclubs and venues of this sun-kissed city are the honeypot that attracts so many of the golden boys and girls. The stars come out at night, to see and to be seen, and Miami's nightclubs are their favorite hangouts.

Bars are plentiful in Miami and Miami furnished apartments are conveniently located to take advantage of much of the bar scene. Automatic Slims in South Beach features a rock-n-roll but laid back attitude that is surprisingly attractive to many locals. Bar 721 has a funkier `70s feel that makes visitors comfy in its cozy little spot off Lincoln Road in South Beach. Plunge is the Gansevoort's rooftop pool lounge, that comes with bikini-clad vistas, colorful cocktails, and DJ'd music. Pining for a New York style pretzel or an Irish pub? Clarke's has both, as well as celebrity prestige. Taverna Opa offers an outdoor bar, but the action is indoors at this Greek taverna that doubles as an excellent restaurant. The Florida Room in the Delano Hotel is known for its swanky cruise-ship lounge feel, while the Mondrian offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay.

The club scene in Miami is known for its energy, pounding Cuban pulse, and gilded stars. Clubbing starts late, usually after 11, but parking fills up fast. A call ahead to place your name on the list for the evening is prudent if you want to avoid a lengthy wait for admittance. Cameo is the classic nightclub, offering plenty of VIP seating, star DJs and a super-sonic sound system. For the true night-owl, Club Space's party can run from 3-10AM. After 11pm, Bongos transforms into a 21-and-over salsa dance club. Mansion, appropriately named, is an enormous club that attracts the hottest of the hot and absolutely requires inside connections to enter this VIP hot spot. Nikki Beach is Miami's own Playboy Mansion, while WALL's mirrors and VIP feel creates a bourgeoisie ambience. Looking for a change? Try Little Havana's Casa Panza's flamenco show or try it out yourself. La Covacha in West Miami is one of the hottest Latin clubs.

Shopping
Short term rentals in Miami allow one to test endurance via shopping mall. Shopping in Miami could very nearly be an Olympic sport. With every type of retail outlet imaginable, from antiques to boutiques to mall measuring their floor space in square miles, Miami has it all.

Aventura Mall and Dadeland Mall are perhaps the most famous of Miami's giant super-malls, but they are not the only options for the die-hard shopper. Antiques lovers won't want to miss Alhambra Antiques, and fashionistas flock to Kore Boutique in Biscayne and Bertini European Men's Clothing in Coral Gables. For the ladies, Sephora offers fragrances of all types, and who could resist Christian Louboutin's selection of shoes? Outdoors lovers aren't left out, with Island Water Sports Miami Surf Shop is prepared to serve all your sporting needs. Among the other top malls in the area, there's Sawgrass Mills, Bal Harbour Shops, Dolphin Mall, and Village of Merrick Park.

When staying in a Miami furnished apartment, certain information, like the names of area hospitals, schools and places of worship can be important to know about. The area schools are amongst the finest in the state, and Miami churches, synagogues and Mosques represent all the major denominations and faiths. Whether you have school-aged children in the family or adult learners, Miami has educational options to suit every need. Short Term Stay Miami has put together the following lists to help you get more from your stay with us in your furnished apartment in Miami.

Hospitals

• Jackson Memorial Hospital
• Bascolm-Palmer Eye Institute
• North Shore Medical Center
• Douglas Gardens Hospital
• Kendall Regional Medical Center
• Metropolitan Hospital of Miami
• Miami Children's Hospital
• Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami
• Cedars Medical Center
• Mercy Hospital

Schools
Miami-Dade schools are amongst the best in the country. The public school system operates the largest magnet school system in the United States, offering specialized fields in 77 different areas. Whether a student is pursuing math, science, technology, international education, the arts, humanities, or a particular career or profession, excellent education is available for all ages. So while staying in short term rentals Miami, you might find the following list useful.

Elementary Schools

• Frank Crawford Martin K-8 Center
• Calusa Elementary School
• Ethel Kroger Beckham Elementary School
• Leewood K-8 Center
• Vineland K-8 Center
• William H. Lehman Elementary School
• Wesley Matthews Elementary School

Middle Schools

• Herbert A. Ammons Middle School
• Ben Gamla Charter School Miami Beach
• Coral Reef Montessori Academy Charter
• Aventura Waterways K-8 Center
• Everglades K-8 Center
• Vanguard School of Coconut Grove
• Dade Christian School
• Miami Country Day School

High Schools

• La Salle High School
• South Florida International Academy
• Gettysburg Academy of Miami
• West Dade Academy
• Florida School of Excellence
• Terra Environmental Research Institute
• Miami Killian Senior High School
• South Miami Senior High School
• Stellar Leadership Academy

Colleges and Universities

• Florida International University
• University of Miami
• Miami-Dade Community College
• Barry University
• St. Thomas University
• Trinity International University
• International Fine Arts College

Places of Worship

Churches
Broadmoor Baptist Church
Chinese Baptist Church Miami
West Hileah Baptist Church
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church of Miami
Norwegian Seaman's Lutheran Church
South Miami Lutheran Church
Greater Bethel Ame Church
Kendall United Methodist Church
Pinelands Presbyterian Church
Plymouth Congregational Church

Synagogues
Temple Israel of Greater Miami
Beth Torah Adath Yeshurun Congregation
Bet Shira Congregation
Temple Beth Shmuel
Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center
Havurah of South Florida

Mosques & Islamic Centers
Masjid Al-Ansar
MCA of South Florida
Muslim Community Center- Masjid Markaz Al-Islam
Sister Clara Muhammad School
Muslim Community Center-Miami Masjid