Moving to a new city like Miami may seem daunting, but the Office of Student Recruitment is here to assist in making your transition into Miami Law a smooth one. The law school does not provide on-campus housing but Miami is a large, metropolitan city full of diverse housing options and locations in which to live within a convenient distance of campus. This information is compiled for your convenience but is by no means exhaustive. We are not affiliated with, nor do we endorse any property, organization or real estate agent/office listed. We strongly advise that you call in advance to schedule an appointment or gather more information before visiting the properties. Once you have selected an area to live, it is wise to examine several possibilities to compare prices and quality. A cost comparison worksheet is available for your use under our Housing Resources section below.

Housing questions should be directed to 305-284-6746 or admissions@law.miami.edu. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance, and best of luck in your search.

Housing Resources For Law Students

Off Campus Housing - University of Miami
Tips for a Successful Housing Search
Law Student Housing: Cost Comparison Worksheet
Roommate Referral Program for Law Students
Set up an FPL account - Utilities
Guide to Living in Coral Gables and South Miami

Transportation Options

Campus Student Parking
Metrorail Discount Program
Hurry 'Cane Shuttle
Safe Ride Service

FINDING A ROOMMATE

It is important to know that the budget assessed by Financial Aid assumes that you will have a roommate(s). Cut down on expenses by living with another law student or grad student, preferably one who shares your study habits and preferences. The Office of Student Recruitment offers a roommate referral service to help law students find roommates. Students wishing to be included must complete this Roommate Referral Form. In late April, the list of students will be sent to everyone who signed up, and thereafter every few weeks. Once students finalize their housing plans, they are removed from the list. Please note that this service is for Miami Law students only.

Admitted students may also utilize the Class of 2024 Facebook page to meet other students and share housing needs and opportunities.

FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

The key to discovering your housing options is to use several different resources. This way, you are most likely to uncover the greatest selection of possibilities.

Realtors

Realtors can supply you with up-to-date listings and can take you around to view properties. This service is usually at no charge to you since most apartment listings used by realtors include a built-in commission from the property owner, but it is always best to check first. The Office of Student Recruitment regularly canvases the student body for recommended local realtors who assisted them during their initial transition to Miami. 

Online Resources

There are many sites you can visit to find available housing. While searching online is useful and often safe, we suggest that you use caution.

Miami’s Neighborhoods

One of the most important factors to consider when embarking on a housing search is location. Where you live will affect your commuting time, accessibility to services and recreational opportunities, personal safety, and living costs. Miami offers a variety of neighborhoods and communities, each with their advantages and disadvantages.

The neighborhoods closest to the law school are South Miami, Coral Gables, and the Kendall/Dadeland area. Brickell and downtown Miami are farther away, but the commute is opposite the flow of traffic. The commute from the Kendall/Dadeland area would be with the flow of traffic, which may increase commute time.

Below are brief descriptions of Miami communities and housing options noted by current law students. This information is designed to give you some insights on the neighborhoods, but nothing equals a personal visit. The properties listed on this website are merely suggestions and by no means exhaustive. UM Law does not endorse any particular property, but those listed are to help students beginning their housing search.

CORAL GABLES/MIRACLE MILE/COCONUT GROVE 

The city of Coral Gables (Area Codes 33133, 33134, 33145, 33146), home to the University of Miami, is a beautiful residential and business district. Considered Miami’s second financial district, Coral Gables is located 6 miles south of Miami International Airport and 6 miles southwest of downtown Miami. Rentals in Coral Gables include single-family homes, duplexes, quadruplexes, and low-rise apartment buildings, as well as many tall condominium buildings in downtown Gables. This ensures that you will find units at every price—you just have to look. Coral Gables has quiet streets and is home to some of Miami’s best restaurants and art galleries. There are several city bus routes that stop in front of campus, at the University Metrorail stop.

Coconut Grove is north of Coral Gables and is typically a 10–15-minute easy commute to campus. “The Grove,” originally settled in the 1800s, remains a charming, bayside village within the urban dynamic of Miami. The pedestrian-friendly village center is filled with sidewalk cafes, galleries, parks, and bars. There are houses, duplexes, apartments, and condos for rent.

KENDALL/DADELAND 

Extending west from U.S. 1 down Sunset Drive, Kendall Drive, and the Killian Expressway, Kendall (Area Codes 33143, 33156, 33173) is a sprawling suburb of apartment complexes, housing subdivisions, and strip malls. A large number of UM students live in the apartment complexes close to the Dadeland Mall. From Dadeland, there is easy access to the Metrorail or a 15–20-minute commute to campus on US-1 with no traffic. Keep in mind that traffic congestion can double these times. Renting further into Kendall is typically reasonable, and the more west you are willing to go, the more likely that you will get a high quality place at a good price.

SOUTH MIAMI/SUNSET PLACE

South Miami (Area Codes 33143 and 33155), located a few minutes south of the Coral Gables campus, sprawls across US-1 in a combination of residential and commercial areas. The busy downtown area, centered east of US-1 at Sunset Drive and Red Road, has many restaurants and shops, as well as The Shops at Sunset Place (an outdoor mall) and a movie theater. A variety of affordable residential options extend from the periphery of downtown, as well as to the west of US-1. There are bus routes serving South Miami that connect with the South Miami Metrorail station (one station south of the University station) and that also travel along Red Road, a perimeter road of the University.

BRICKELL/THE ROADS

Brickell Avenue, (Area Codes 33129, 33130, 33131) often referred to as the “Wall Street of the South,” is home to Miami’s international banking and business center and has emerged as the epicenter for luxury condominiums. Just south of the Miami River, Brickell is close to 6 miles from UM Law and a 15–20-minute drive to campus when there is little traffic (however, expect that to double during the height of rush hour). Brickell Avenue also features numerous law firms, as well as fine dining and night life. Brickell is accessible to Metro Stations to take you around town, including a stop at the University of Miami Campus.

DOWNTOWN MIAMI/MIDTOWN

Downtown Miami (Area Codes 33130, 33131, 33132) is Miami’s bustling epicenter, with tourism destinations like Port of Miami and local favorites like the American Airlines Arena, home to the Miami Heat. It is just north of Brickell, about 6 miles from UM Law, and approximately 20 minutes away from the campus during non-rush hour periods. The Government Center station on the Metrorail line in Downtown is only 5 stops and about 15-20 minutes from the University station near campus. The condominiums in Downtown Miami are within close proximity to the 11th Circuit Court House, Brickell, Mary-Brickell Village, and Bayside Mall.

NAVIGATING MIAMI

In most of Metropolitan Miami, streets are numbered and run East to West (so do Drives and Boulevards). Avenues are numbered and run North to South (so do Courts, Roads and Places). Most of the main streets have both a number and a name (i.e., 57th Ave. is also known as Red Rd.).

In the city of Coral Gables, streets and avenues have names, not numbers, so you will need a good memory or someone helpful to give you directions when you get turned around. When looking for a street sign in most parts of the Gables, look down and not up. Street names are carved on raised white stone slabs on the ground.

GET TO KNOW THE MAIN EXPRESSWAYS

• I-95: This is the main interstate connecting the east coast of the United States. I-95 ends in Miami, just south of downtown, where it merges with U.S. 1/S. Dixie Highway. The distance between the merge and UM’s main entrance (Stanford Dr.) is about 4.5 miles.

• U.S. 1/S. Dixie Highway: South Dixie Hwy is the main “strip” in front of the University. This is also the highway that connects the mainland to the Florida Keys.

• Route 836/Dolphin Expressway: This is the main East–West thoroughfare connecting the Florida Turnpike to I-95.

• Route 826/Palmetto Expressway: This is the main artery connecting the north to the south. It eventually connects to I-95 at an area called the Golden Glades Interchange.

• Florida Turnpike: This toll road extends as far north as Orlando, and as far south as Homestead. It also connects with U.S. 1/S. Dixie Hwy. The Turnpike is a good road to use if you are traveling west of the city.

• Route 874: This toll road connects the Palmetto Expressway to the Florida Turnpike. It is a handy freeway for those who live in South Dade County.

• Route 878/Snapper Creek Expressway: This toll road connects U.S. 1 to Route 874. This is a handy shortcut if you are traveling to the University from West Kendall.

AVOID TRAFFIC

To avoid wasting time in traffic, it is suggested that you leave early and stay late (the Law Library opens at 7 A.M. on weekdays).

• Morning rush hour is between 7:00 A.M. & 9:00 A.M. There will be traffic headed in the direction of downtown Miami (NE of campus).
• Evening rush hour is between 4:00 P.M. & 7:00 P.M. There will be traffic headed away from downtown Miami.

GET A SUNPASS FOR EXPRESS LANES & TOLLS

I-95 offers an express lane available only to SunPass users and registered carpools. You can purchase a SunPass transponder here ($19.99 for a portable transponder, $4.99 for a permanent mini transponder).

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Not all students have cars, but as Miami is somewhat spread out, having a car will make things easier overall. If you do not plan to have a car, live as close to campus as possible (walking or biking distance). Otherwise, choose a place on one of Miami’s transit routes.

The Metrorail is an efficient and reliable source of transportation to campus from several housing districts in Miami. Some students use the Metrorail to get to and from campus. Miami-Dade County's elevated, rapid-transit system stretches for 22-miles: from Kendall, through South Miami, Coral Gables, and downtown Miami; to the Civic Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital area; to the Miami International Airport; to Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah, and Medley in northwest Miami-Dade, with connections to Broward and Palm Beach counties at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail transfer station. Parking is available at 19 Metrorail stations.