Living in High Pines & Ponce Davis

Counted among the most sought-after neighborhoods in Miami, the affluent enclaves of High Pines and Ponce Davis are set within just about one square mile of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. They are bordered to the west by South Miami, and to the north, east, and south by Coral Gables.

The location means that living in High Pines and Ponce Davis deliver both a tranquil, tree-lined suburban living experience, and a huge selection of prime urban-style dining, nightlife, entertainment, recreation, education, and medical care.

Let’s take a closer look!

Where Can I Live in High Pines?

Cozy, casual and quiet, High Pines offers its residents a variety of housing options, from luxury condos and townhouses, to single-family homes, to sprawling estates.

One very popular development that provides luxury living just an easy stroll from the heart of South Miami’s many diversions is The Townhomes at Oak Lane. Built in 2009, this community has 40 tri-level, split-plan 3-bedroom, 3+-bath residences in a

Townhomes at Oak Lane

gated community. The spacious interiors range from 2,436 to 2,828 square feet with sound-resistant impact windows. Highlights incl. the gourmet kitchens with large dining counter/island plus top-of-the-line Wolf & Sub-Zero appliances, elevators, living and family rooms, formal dining rooms, underground parking with 4 spaces per townhouse plus outdoor guest parking, and private courtyards – some with pools.

Where Can I Live in Ponce Davis?

Ponce Davis beautifully joins open space with convenient location. The majority of stately properties in this neighborhood occupy at least an acre, with resort-style pools and verdant, private gardens. Many of the homes here are new construction with state-of-the-art amenities. Residents also prize the prime location to upscale dining, recreation, and a host of top-notch schools.

Named for the stone archway still standing between the entrance and exit of the original estate, Stonegate was built in the 1920s by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sollitt of Chicago. This exclusive community contains just 11 custom-designed European-style single-family homes shaded by grand oaks and other lush greenery on 28,000 to 81,000 square foot lots. Residents enjoy a private community tennis court and park. Homes start at approximately $5 million, range from 3,900 to 9,800 square feet, and have 3 to 8 bedrooms. Many feature exquisite elements such as resort-inspired backyards, walkout lanais, alfresco kitchens, and guest houses.

Ponce Davis Home

Just across the street, Ponce Road Estates is an even more exclusive gated community with just 5 single family homes. Built between 1941 and 1995, lots range from 28,000 to 33,000 square feet. Bedrooms range from 5 to 8 in 3,900 to 7,000 square foot floor plans.

Where Will My Children Go to School?

Because of the adjacent location of the neighborhoods, children living in High Pines and Ponce Davis attend the same schools. Among the public school offerings, Sunset Elementary School was awarded the Magnet Schools of America National Award of Merit in 2022, and is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Established in 1896, this exceptional facility was once a one-room schoolhouse. Today, it provides International Studies and Magnet Programs for grades PK-5. For public middle- and high-school options, students can attend Ponce de Leon Middle School and Coral Gables Senior High School. Both are certified National Magnet Schools, and Coral Gables Senior High is rated “A” by the Florida Department of Education.

True to the close-knit family vibe of both High Pines and Ponce Davis, Gulliver Preparatory Academy educates students all the way from PK3 through grade 12. Their mission is devoted to cultivating an academic community that not only educates, but values each student as an individual. Niche.com ranks Gulliver Prep in the top 30% of all private K-12 schools, and top 20% of best STEM schools in America.

Epiphany Catholic School

Epiphany Catholic School offers students PK-8 a traditional parochial environment in small class settings, with the average student-teach ratio of 21:1. Since its founding in 1953, Epiphany has kept religion in the foreground. Weekly mass and charitable activities play a fundamental role in the student experience.

Who Are the Best Healthcare Providers in the Area?

With such close proximity to Coral Gables and South Miami, residents of High Pines and Ponce Davis have quick access to the prime healthcare facilities in these areas. The Baptist Health Network provides high-quality treatment at all levels of medical care. From pediatricians to concierge and telehealth services, quality of care is consistently rated among the best in the state.

Doctors Hospital (part of the BH Network) in Coral Gables is rated 4th in the region on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best hospitals. The facility was also awarded a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A”, a national distinction honoring patient protection efforts. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Doctors Hospital a 5-star rating for safety, patient experience, timely and effective care, readmissions, and mortality.

South Miami Hospital is one of the best in the country for maternity and labor/delivery services, along with Level II & III Neonatal Intensive Care departments, which have earned the hospital national distinction. Other notable, high-quality care services include robotic surgery, weight-loss surgery, cardiovascular services, and burn care.

What Are My Recreation Options in the Neighborhood?

Shops at Sunset Place

The abundance of nearby dining, shopping, recreation, and transportation options is a big part of the allure for living in High Pines and Ponce Davis. Residents have easy access to local favorites in South Miami and the adjacent district of central Coral Gables, such as the Shops at Sunset Place, Miracle Mile and the Shops at Merrick Park.

There are literally hundreds of dining outlets between South Miami and central Coral Gables, from the newest trendy gastro-pubs to deliciously classic family kitchen-style cafes.

Just a few blocks from High Pines, South Miami’s Root & Bone is a farm-to-table restaurant celebrating the most inviting dishes from rural Southern America. Shrimp and grits, sweet tea-brined fried chicken, and Grandma Daisy’s Angel Biscuits are just some of their modern takes on traditional meals. Live music and a rustic, friendly atmosphere round out the always-fun experience.

Graziano’s in Coral Gables has been delighting guests with their acclaimed Argentine fare since 1962. Selections from the wall-to-wall wine library pair perfectly with traditional dishes made with super fresh ingredients.

Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering

Local, not-to-be-missed gems also thrive right in the High Pines and Ponce Davis “backyard.” Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering in High Pines breathes creativity into Southern favorites with

fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  Zagat-rated, and featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Whisk keeps patrons eagerly coming back with special offerings such as picnic lunches, pre-made family dinners, and specially packaged “boat-friendly” catered lunches. Saturday and Sunday Brunch is something of a culinary adventure, offering creative comfort food choices such as pulled pork eggs Benedict and fried green tomato stacks.

Golfers have two public and one private golf course to challenge them in neighboring Coral Gables. The Biltmore and Granada courses are public, and offer various programs and amenities. The Biltmore hosts the Junior Orange Bowl Golf Tournament, the largest junior tournament in the country.

Riviera Country Club

The historic Biltmore Hotel serves as the backdrop for the par 71, 6,700-yard Biltmore course,

while the Granada course claims its fame as the oldest operating 9-hole course in America! Riviera Country Club is a private 18-hole course. Excellently maintained fairways provide an enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels.

Dante Fascell Park on Red Road is a long-time community favorite and a veritable icon of the neighborhood. The sprawling, tree-shaded space is popular for playing, relaxing, picnicking, exercising, and just plain strolling about to take in some fresh air. Amenities including 2 picnic shelters, a jogging trail, 6 tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment, a volleyball court, gated

Dante Fascell Park

playgrounds, a basketball half-court, restrooms, and a sculpture garden donated by South Miami’s sister city of Medellin, Colombia.

Historic A.D. Barnes Park in South Miami has been delighting locals and tourists alike since 1977. This 65-acre park is dedicated to, and named after, the first Director of the Parks & Recreation Department, who strongly believed outdoor recreation was vital for every citizen.

Are you ready to start your High Pines or Ponce Davis life? Monica is a High Pines Resident Expert who will guide you confidently and successfully through the first and most important step — finding and buying your perfect home here. Get in touch!

In the meantime, check out our High Pines & Ponce Davis Homes search tool below to get an idea of 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.