South Florida Retirement Destinations

The warm climate and clean air has always made South Florida a popular retirement destination. Because of the down-turn in the housing market there are now some great bargains to be had across the region. But there’s more to the area than Golf courses, no state income tax and sunny beaches, US News’ feature on the ‘best places to retire‘ in the USA features South Florida heavily for various reasons.

Melbourne Beach for good value for money, Doral for it’s low tax, Pembroke Pines because it’s political mix and Fort Lauderdale for those seeking a more active retirement. The proliferation of local NFL teams (Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars) made Miami Beach a good location for football fans. Even winter sports are possible in the South with Clearwater’s Ice Arena and the Tampa Skate Academy enabling residents to skate and sunbathe on the same day!

Our top three picks for best retirement neighborhoods in Miami are; Coconut Grove (an active community with great facilities but without the bustle of central Miami), Key Biscayne (for the outdoor retiree who isn’t ready to hang up their fishing poles quite yet) and Coral Gables (a more Hispanic neighborhood but featuring lovely, quiet, tree-lined streets). Miami isn’t full of white haired old people waiting to pass over, it has a lot to offer retirees of all ages, abilities and interests.

Wildlife in Miami Neighborhoods

Watch an episode of Dexter of CSi and you’d be forgiven for thinking Miami is all high-rises and concrete, but with the news that Bald Eagles nesting in west Pembroke Pines last week, I thought I’d cover some of the other wildlife that can be found in Miami’s neighborhoods.

Manatee

These large, slow moving creatures typically inhabit warm, shallow, coastal estuarine waters which Miami has in abundance. Manatee were a common sight in Miami, but sadly their numbers have dwindled. Biscayne Bay is still littered with ‘Manatee Protection’ signs and although the boats usually scare the adults away, Oleta River park (North Miami Beach) is a known spotting location. I have seen wild Manatee in Biscayne National Park just south of the city in the Homestead neighborhood and also near Venetian Causeway in Wynwood.

Raptors

Miami’s high rises create swirling updrafts which large birds such as Turkey Vultures, Kites and numerous Hawk special use to stay in flight with minimal effort. In neighborhoods such as Downtown, Wynwood and Upper East Side flocks of these large birds can be seen every day.

Pelican, Cormorant & Heron

The neighborhoods bordering the bays are home to many fishing birds, but among the pelican, cormorants and blue herons, it’s the large Brown Pelican that are most conspicuous.

Virginia Key is a popular hang out for pelican where the birds often to be found cruising along the road and fishing around the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Parrots & Songbirds

Parrots and parakeets (such as the scaly-headed parrot, white-winged parakeet, the mitered parakeet, the red-masked parakeet and blue-crowned parakeets) can been seen in small flocks in many areas of Miami, but Biscayne Gardens in North Miami is a great area to see a selection of parakeets and migrant songbirds in one area.

Iguana

Although considered as feral by much of the community, Green and Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguanas are all over the region. Many were originally escaped family pets that, once let loose (or escaped) have thrived all over the city. They can often be seen basking alongside the road in the Venetian Islands, in Fairchild Park (Coral Gables) or in the coastal areas in Virginia Key. Do be aware though that they can give a nasty bite if cornered.

Possum & Raccoon

Although considered ‘nuisance wildlife’, if you’re new to the US then you’ve probably never seen a possum or Raccoon. Bill Baggs Wildlife Park (Key Biscayne) is a location where I’ve seen Raccoon as they enjoy foraging along the waterline. Possum on the other hand prowl many neighborhoods, try Miami Beach where the human nightlife often discard tasty treats.

Dolphin

If you’re extra lucky, dophin can be spotted in Miami, either in Oleata Park (North Miami Beach) or South Biscayne Bay (a good look-out is The Rusty Pelican restaurant) or from a kayak off the Coconut Grove coast.

Shark

Big game fishing is popular in Miami, although I prefer to look at wildlife rather than stick hooks in them, it’s worth mentioning that a 14 foot Tiger Shark was caught off Biscayne Bay.