Known for its vibrant city life, stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and a blend of cultures, Miami is one of the most sought-after places to live. Since the 1970s, Miami has been a hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community. Over 200,000 LGBT individuals live in the greater Miami metropolitan area, which is about 4.5% of the total population.
Close to Everglades National Park, the Magic City is renowned for sun, sand, and some of the most beautiful people in the world!
If you’ve been thinking about moving, Miami might be the place you’re looking for. With several great, gay-friendly communities scattered throughout the city, there’s a Miami neighborhood for gay travelers looking for a safe and exciting place to live.
Coconut Grove
The southern region of metro Miami is dominated by this peaceful enclave right on Biscayne Bay. This beautiful and relaxing neighborhood caters to various people’s tastes and interests.
What makes this neighborhood one of the best areas of town for gay men and lesbians is that it was Miami’s original gay enclave. One of the main attractions here, the Vizcaya, was one of the city’s first elite queer spaces.
This spot offers a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere perfect for various lifestyles, making it gay and straight-friendly. The neighborhood is family-friendly, with excellent parks and schools. Its vibrant social scene and proximity to universities attract young professionals and students.
Must-Visit Places in Coconut Grove
There’s so many things to see and do here, but here are some of the best:
Take a tour of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Enjoy a walk or a picnic in Peacock Park
Dance the night away at Azucar Nightclub or Club Aqua
Our Favorite Spot in Coconut Grove
One of our favorite spots is Azucar Nightclub. It’s one of the most queer-friendly clubs and has a lively Latin atmosphere. They have regular events, from cabernet nights to drag shows to famous DJs. If you want the night to last a little longer, there are many gorgeous hotels right by the club, including the historic Hotel St. Michel.
Mark Your Calendar
A fun recurring event for gay Miami is CocoWalk’s Loud and Proud event. It happens every June to kick off Pride Month. This event features live music, a pop-up bar, performances by some of Miami’s most famous drag queens, and more.
Moving to Coconut Grove
With a little over 20,000 residents, this area has a median house price of $1.1 million. It offers some of the best schools in the city, making it perfect for families. The neighborhood is also a great location for those working downtown, as it is about five miles from the city center.
Downtown Miami
This epicenter is where you go when you want more metro and city life. The area is pretty walkable and is known for its major businesses, high rises, art scene, and proximity to Miami Beach and other neighborhoods.
This bustling area of Miami’s gay scene features a little bit of everything, so it’s one of the most popular places for visitors to enjoy birthdays, bachelor/bachelorettes, and other events. The many swanky hotels make this a perfect choice for those wanting a romantic escape close to all the hottest attractions, while escape rooms are awesome for those who love a safe and intellectual thrill.
Must-Visit Places in Downtown Miami
There are dozens of restaurants and activities to choose from here, but these are what we recommend:
Enjoy the views from the top of the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
Browse through the shops at Bayside Marketplace
Catch some gorgeous dancing and theater at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Our Favorite Spot in Downtown Miami
If you love the restaurant's atmosphere as much as the food, you should try one of our favorite spots, Sexy Fish. The stunning restaurant features an art piece over the bar resembling flowing water and a large fish swimming about midair.
Mark Your Calendar
As the center of everything fun in Miami, you won’t have to search hard to find a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The best annual event in this neighborhood is Miami Beach Pride, which takes place in April. Participants march from one side of the Ocean Drive bridge to the other, ending in a grand party in Miami Beach.
Those who love movies will definitely want to check out the Miami Film Festival in April, which takes place in venues all across the city. Grab a hotel room and immerse yourself in all that cinema has to offer!
During November, the city lights up with hundreds of biodegradable rice paper lanterns for the Lyte Sky Lantern Festival, which uses trackers and an enormous cleanup crew to ensure that the Magic City stays pristine for its inhabitants after the show is over.
Moving to Downtown Miami
More than 90,000 people call this area of Miami home. If you’re interested in buying a condo or other home here, it costs an average of $580,967. The locale is perfect for young professionals, students, and others who enjoy a more fast-paced life.
Little Havana
This region is located west of Miami’s financial district and encompasses a large area of the city. It’s best known for being what locals call the “Cuban heart” of Miami. In fact, over 92% of the residents are Hispanic; Latin American LGBT individuals will feel right at home.
The area features beautiful art galleries, walk-up cafes, and parks. It’s long been a spot for LGBTQ+ individuals who have immigrated to the USA from the Caribbean and Latin America.
Must-Visit Places in Little Havana
Some of the best things to make time for in this neighborhood are:
Dine at the world’s most famous Cuban restaurant, Versailles
Walk along the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame
Attend the Viernes Culturales street party
Our favorite spot in Little Havana
If we had to choose, our favorite spot would be The House of Cuban Coffee. It’s also known as La Colada Gourmet. It’s one of the best places to get authentic Cuban coffee and breakfast items.
Mark Your Calendar
Every February, this area is the host of the Gay8 Festival. It’s an LGBTQ+ street festival featuring artwork, cuisine, drinks, parties, and live music. Gay8 is free to attend and is held to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ Latin American community.
Moving to Little Havana
As one of Miami's most affordable areas, this locale attracts many people. The average home costs around $320,409. It’s a little more relaxed, so it would be a great option for families and those who prefer a tight-knit community.
South Beach
Miami Beach, especially the area we call South Beach, has the largest concentration of gay-friendly businesses and clubs in Miami; there are so many that in 2020, Miami Beach created its own LGBT Owned Business Entity certification. Thanks to the stunning beach and strong gay nightlife, it attracts a large number of straight and gay travelers year-round.
Be sure to check out 11th/12th Street Beach, one of two Miami gay beaches. The other gay beach, Halouver Park Beach, is clothes-optional, making it better suited for adults.
People head to South Beach to take in the stunning Art Deco buildings, lounge on the beaches, and dance all night.
Must-Visit Places in South Beach
Some of the must-see places in South Beach are:
Stroll along Ocean Drive while shopping and admiring the Art Deco buildings
Drink and play games at Bar Gaythering
Check out the famous Fontainebleau Hotel in South Beach, a gay-friendly hotel right on the waterfront
Our Favorite Spot in South Beach
Our favorite spot in South Beach is the Palace. It’s known as the premier LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant in Miami Beach. They offer drag performances for weekend brunch service, a stunning rooftop bar, and amazing food.
Mark Your Calendar
You’ll love living in South Beach if you love attending community events. Every year, Miami Beach has its own Pride Week in April. The week consists of various annual events like Pride movie night, a queer art showcase, and the Miss Miami Beach Pride Pageant. SweetHeat Miami is a celebration in May that was created by women, celebrating the beauty of female power.
Moving to South Beach
If you want to buy a home in South Beach, the average is $539,585. South Beach is the ideal place to move if you love the beach life and want most things within walking distance. It’s great for students, single people, groups or friends, and couples.
Wynwood
Wynwood has always been a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals to call home. This area north of the major financial district is known for its eclectic restaurants and bars, Wynwood Walls, and a heavy art and gay nightlife scene.
Many businesses hang rainbow flags outside their businesses and pride themselves on being an inclusive place for everyone. For those who love artwork, great food, and a younger crowd, it’s the perfect place to move.
Must-Visit Places in Wynwood
Something we love about Wynwood is that things are always changing in the best way. There are always new restaurants to try and new artwork to see. Some of the must-see places here are:
Admiring all the artwork at Wynwood Walls
Enjoying brunch and a drag performance at R House
Grabbing a craft beer at Cerveceria La Tropical
Our Favorite Spot in Wynwood
Our favorite spot in Wynwood is Willy’s Neighborhood Bar. Although the neighborhood is very gay-friendly, it’s the first official gay bar in Wynwood. We love it because of its no-frills atmosphere, affordable drinks, and amazing crowd.
Mark Your Calendar
The Wynwood Pride Music Festival occurs every June at the RC Cola Plant. The lineup changes yearly but features great artists from around Miami and beyond.
Moving to Wynwood
With its proximity to Miami Beach and downtown, the cost of living in Wynwood is high. The average house costs $658,399. It’s a perfect neighborhood for young professionals, foodies, and those who want a city feel with privacy.
Be a Local to One of Miami’s Best Gay Neighborhoods
Moving to Miami is one of the best decisions you can make if you want to immerse yourself in the LGBTQ community. Most neighborhoods in Miami, such as South Beach, have a significant gay presence and welcoming attitude. With many gay bars, nightclubs, restaurants, beaches, and museums to take advantage of, this is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the USA.
It’s important to note the cost of moving and purchasing a new home in the area. The minimum requirements often include a 3% and 5% down payment. However, many people save up significantly more than that to provide a 20% down payment. Putting 20% down can help you avoid the high cost of private mortgage insurance. A 20% down payment may be too much for some people to put down, but that’s not a problem.
However, our team at Pride Lending is committed to helping make homeownership possible for people from all walks of life. We can match you to down payment assistance programs, such as Miami-Dade County’s Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program. This program can offer up to $35,000 as an interest-free loan based on your income. The city’s First-Time Homebuyer Program may be a perfect fit for first-time homeowners who need a 0% interest deferred loan.
We also have access to nationwide down payment assistance programs, which ease the upfront burden of purchasing property.
Pride Lending is committed to helping individuals who have traditionally been closed out of homeownership, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals; we offer a welcoming and supportive space for anyone, no matter their identity, to receive helpful mortgage advice. Our team consists of allies and members of marginalized communities, giving us experience in navigating these challenges.
Our goal is to connect you to the right product for your needs, whether that is FHA loans for those with less-than-perfect credit or VA loans for veterans.
If you’re ready to move to an island to be on Miami Beach or prefer something more inland, we are here and ready to help you make Miami your new home. Contact us today by calling 407-885-5444 or emailing us to discuss your specific mortgage needs.
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