I am going to be working for a couple of weeks near the intersection of S Dixie Hwy (1) and Homestead Extension of Florida Turnpike (821). Specifically a little west of there towards Quail Heights. I have never been to Miami before or even Florida for that matter.

Where is a good place / area to stay? I am self employed / consultant and the lodging is coming out of my pocket so I don't want to stay in the fanciest most expensive place but I don't want to be in the ghetto or someplace dangerous either. Ideally looking for something around $100 a night or less if that is possible but like I said I don't know the area.


Close to restaurants and places to have a drink after work would be a plus. I will likely be working 10-12 hrs a day so I am not going to do any hardcore partying but I would like to enjoy myself a little bit while I am there.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Anyone?

I am supposed to be headed there tomorrow. Not necessarily needing a specifc motel advice just rather general areas to look and areas to avoid.

First, like any suburb, Miami suburbs are not walking friendly.  I think Florida may lead the nation in pedestrian deaths.  You'll be driving everywhere.  Traffic is high along Dixie Hwy, especially Northbound in the AM and Southbound in PM.  It's the major road along the west side.

Dadeland Mall area (Kendall Dr & US-1) -- Set of high-rises with many commuters (rail is nearby) to downtown Miami.  Restaurants, the mall and its restaurants, and hotels ($100) nearby.  A week and you'll experience all there is to experience.

Coral Gables area (Univ of Miami) -- It's a college area!  Lots restaurant/bar/entertainment choices but the hotels are more expensive ($150).  Semi-walking friendly depending on the hotel's location.  Close to Miracle Mile and Calle Ocho with more choices. Closer to Downtown/Miami Beach.

Quail Heights -- Your work area: drive there, work, leave. The commercial area along Dixie Hwy is like any other in the US, perhaps functional but boring.  But hey, maybe the Olive Garden and Buffalo Wild Wings at Southland Mall is unique [sarcasm].

If you want cheap lodging ($70), Homestead/Florida City, and commute north.  Go watch the drunks at Wal-Mart for entertainment.

Drop me a message if you want and have time to go shoot.  

There is an extended stay hotel right by the Homestead Hospital. Its in a nice enough area and should be around $100 a night. There is a Chilie's right down the street for drinks and quite a few other chain joints nearby. From there your only about 35 mins to Key Largo or 35 mins to Kendall/ South Miami where you can find a lot more bars and night life.

+1 to the advice above.  PM me if you need additional help.  How much you looking to spend?  What do you want to do in your free time? What is your maximum commute time?  The area you are working is the ghetto ( among lots of others in Miami).  But depending on what you want to spend, and what you want to do in your free time will dictate where you live..

bad parts of miami are all over in pockets. kind of hard to pinpoint if you're new. perhaps avoid downtown if its your first time and you're not with a local. The Falls mall is down south and has the usual mall things to do. If you're down in homestead, a well known local fruit stand is 'robert is here' with good shakes and things. trailglades would be your range of choice I think. you can rent for trap/skeet if you don't bring your own.

OP is only working in Miami for a few weeks.

There is the "armor is optional" Henry's Range in Homestead which is honestly okay if you avoid peak usage (weekends mid-morning and later).

Thanks for the replies.

One guy who has been on this project before said he stayed at a casino north on 997. I am not a gambler but he said it was around $100 a night and had a free buffet with the room.

Looking on the map looks like I could take 997 straight down to 994 - Is that a bad commute?

Coral Gables sounds really interesting - how bad is the drive from there to quail heights? 30 min each way or longer?

I live in the Gables now and have since 85.
Worked about halfway to where you're going to be for 22 years. (Fed Prison next to MetroZoo.)
If you leave REALLY early in the morning from the Gables, your commute would still be at least 45 minutes.
U.S.-1 ... 878?...T-pike. You're there. Likely more traffic on the way back.
You would enjoy the Gables for the quiet, the restaurants/dining, and the safe area.
But methinks you'll have an easier time finding your $100aNite in Kendall/Dadeland.

Stay safe

The casino to quail heights is going to take you 35-40 minutes depending on traffic.  Good thing is that heading south in the morning and north in the evening on 997 (Krome Ave) will have you going the opposite way of most of the traffic rush.

Depending on where your staying in the Gables and working in Quail Heights, most likely less than 30 minutes each way without traffic.  HOWEVER, if your job is more along the 9 to 5 schedule it could take you an hour or more with the traffic...

EDIT:  Now that I think about it, you'll be heading opposite most of the traffic if you stay in Coral Gables too.  Shouldn't be to bad.  I'd much rather stay in that area.  Only thing around the casino to do is the casino...

Wife works in the Gables (UM) and we live in Homestead. Without traffic its a 45min commute.

The Dadeland/ South Miami area is nice and you can get on the 878 from there and is about a 30 min drive. The area has a lot of bars and nice restaurants. Finding something in the $100 a night range might be tough.