Living in Pinecrest

Take a drive through this community and you’ll find lush neighborhoods filled with beautiful homes and mansions upon perfectly maintained properties. Surrounding them is a host of popular parks, farmers’ markets, a landmark vegetable and flower market, a landmark botanical garden, premium schools, locally owned restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and boutiques, and a network of lakes and canals that can ultimately deliver intrepid kayakers all the way to the bay.

Zoning laws are strictly enforced, so the long-term continuation of a peaceful, orderly atmosphere and well-kept appearance is assured for those living in Pinecrest. In fact, this village is consistently recognized and praised for its tranquil, tidy lifestyle. While the residential areas provide respite from the Miami hustle, the abundance of activities mean you never have to go far to have a good time.

Let’s take a closer look at life in this coveted neighborhood.

Where Can I Live in Pinecrest?

Pinecrest is the most classic “picture-perfect” suburb in all of Miami-Dade. Residents enjoy large homes on beautiful lots – often an acre or more – that blend seamlessly with more modest homes and properties. Home-buying options range widely in here, offering everything from affordable condominium options to sprawling, multi-million-dollar estates.

Here are some of our favorites:

Villas of Pinecrest offers the perfect blend of convenient condo life and tranquil community. Units feature ample bedrooms and closets, and the gated complex offers 24-hour security, a fitness center, a pool, tennis courts, a playground, and a clubhouse. Combined with the walkability to public transportation and access to the Pinecrest school district, this has become a popular option for those seeking more affordable housing with a good assortment of amenities and benefits.

Arabesque is one of Pinecrest’s smallest gated communities, with only 18 homes on half-acre lots. A private wall, security gate, and artfully maintained landscaping give residents the perfect blend of exclusivity and warm neighborhood living. Homes in this community range from 3 to 5 bedrooms, with 3,000-4,000 square feet of living space.

The collected gated communities of Craigdale Manor, Old Cutler Springs, Old Cutler Woods, and Cutler Bay Estates comprise the larger, 112-home Pinecrest by the Sea community. Pinecrest by the Sea and its waterfront neighbor, Gables by the Sea in Coral Gables, formed a neighborhood association to keep residents informed of community events, association news and information, and neighborhood beautification projects.

Unlike many gated communities, each home in Pinecrest by the Sea is uniquely designed, offering a distinct aesthetic versus a cookie-cutter presence. Floorplans range from 2,100 to 6,000 square feet on lots up to an acre, and many homes include pools and sheltered gardens that afford much-cherished privacy.

Which Are the Best Pinecrest Schools?

The Pinecrest School District has been recognized state- and nationwide as one of the best. Five public schools and seven private schools ensure residents have outstanding educational opportunities for children living in Pinecrest.

Established in 1954, Pinecrest Elementary has been rated an “A” school every year since the inception of school grading. Its mission is to develop life-long learners who excel in a highly competitive multi-cultural and technological world. Encouraging creative endeavors, guiding students toward personal and emotional fulfillment, and providing health awareness for lifetime fitness top the school’s list of values and priorities. Among Pinecrest Elementary’s extensive awards and accolades is its “No Place for Hate” designation in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League.

Located just outside Pinecrest, Somerset Academy Preparatory School is regularly given a School Grade “A”, and has been consistently highly rated in categories such as AP participation and college readiness.

As a charter school, Somerset is governed by a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization contractually obligated to provide the same educational services to its students as district public schools.

It is a tuition-free public school that operates with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. In turn, the school is accountable to its sponsor for positive academic results and fiscal responsibility. Students thrive in a multicultural environment that educates, empowers, and enables all students to become caring, contributing citizens equipped to succeed in our ever-changing world.

Who Are the Best Healthcare Providers?

Baptist Health Primary Care (part of the greater Baptist Health Network) offers those living in Pinecrest exemplary and efficient medical care, and more. Onsite services include physicians, advanced practitioners, dieticians, social workers, and care coaches. Their mission isn’t just to treat patients when they’re sick, but to assist in achieving and maintaining overall health and wellness.

The Nicklaus Children’s Sports Health Center (an extension of the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital) provides Pinecrest’s youngest athletes with the specialized care they require. Pediatric cardiology, orthopedics, and orthopedic sports medicine are among this facility’s premier services. Licensed Athletic Trainers partner with schools and club teams to provide injury prevention and rehabilitation, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention. The center’s state-of-the-art technology assesses injury risk and optimizes sports performance.

What Can I Do for Fun in Pinecrest?

Outdoor recreation, nightlife, culinary adventures, shopping, and more are all on the menu of ways to have fun for those living in Pinecrest. Many shops and restaurants are family-owned, boutique-style establishments. The town also boasts a state-of-the-art library, and is very tech-forward with free WiFi spots in key locations.

Pinecrest Gardens is the epicenter of outdoor activities, special events, and annual festivals. Featuring more than 1,000 varieties of exotic tropical plants, the park also features natural streams, caves, and fissures. Visitors can explore the gardens, attend workshops, take guided tours, visit the art gallery, and so much more. The calendar of events is packed with activities and events, and the farmer’s market is a favorite Sunday activity for residents and visitors alike.

You may be surprised to learn that some of the best and most interesting dining and shopping options in Miami can be found right here.

Owned and operated by Miami-native Shannon Allen, Grown is a “farm-to-fork” eatery offering healthy alternatives to fast food. Locally sourced ingredients cater to dietary restrictions and allergies. Plus, all items on the menu can be modified to be vegetarian or fully vegan.

With a proud 20-year legacy in Pinecrest, Two Chefs delights with French-American nouveau cuisine in a sophisticated, relaxing atmosphere. The menu is locally and seasonally inspired. At least one favored element of their menu never changes, however — the famous towering soufflés, which must be ordered 30 minutes ahead.

Shopping is just as exceptional as dining in Pinecrest. For one-of-a-kind fashion and accessories, we highly recommend Indigo Republic, which not only sells high-quality merchandise, but provides free delivery within 10 miles, and by-appointment shopping on Sundays. One of our favorite shops, especially for kids, is Neptune’s Boutique, specializing in creative designer swimwear, clothes, shoes, and accessories.

More than just a bookstore, the locally owned and independently operated Books & Books is the perfect blend of cozy book nook, cool cafe, neighborhood library, and Friday night book club. The Pinecrest location at the Suniland Shopping Center is one of 6 locations, with the flagship location in Coral Gables. Events and activities range from lectures and live reading series with authors, family-friendly story times, and culinary events.

Are you ready to start your Pinecrest life? The Monica Betancourt Group is ready to guide you in the first step — finding your perfect Pinecrest home. We’re here for you, so get in touch!

In the meantime, check out our Pinecrest Homes search tool to get an idea what’s out there. You have the option to create a profile and get emails automatically sent to you whenever a new home match gets listed.

And note that with our extensive network, we can help you find homes that are not even on the market yet.