Outer Homestead

A long time ago, Florida was America's best-kept secret. Of course, people knew it was there, but the state’s natural beauty, maritime lifestyle and residential potential flew under the radar. Today, the secret is certainly out, and the state's population boom continues apace. But for those who are seeking some of that old-style Florida seclusion, there is good news. Southwest of Miami, hugging the edge of the Everglades, the area known as Outer Homestead features luxurious homes on massive lots in a truly bucolic setting. And although it offers a sense of privacy and seclusion, the neighborhood is also close to plenty of nearby amenities, and and provides easy access to US 1. So whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store, shopping in Miami, a night out dining with the family, or spending the weekend in Key Largo, all of the best that South Florida has to offer is within easy driving distance of Outer Homestead. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I don’t want to go anywhere else,” says Realtor Eugenio Rodriguez of Century 21. “The tranquility here is incredible, and there’s so much to do that’s so close.”

The average price of real estate in Outer Homestead is around $884,000, putting it well above the prices one can typically find closer to downtown Homestead. However, many buyers see the seclusion afforded by the huge lots available in the neighborhood to be worth the extra cost. A three-bedroom/two-bathroom ranch-style home on a one-acre lot can sell for just under $500,000, while a magnificent five-bedroom/five-bathroom Mediterranean-style home with a saltwater pool on more than four acres of land in a gated community lists for $1.6 million.

Students in Outer Homestead can attend Miami Heights Elementary, Redlands Middle and South Dade Senior High School. Miami Heights earns a B- rating on Niche.com, Redlands Middle earns a C+ and South Dade Senior High earns a B.

In terms of amenities, Outer Homestead is everything you associate with Florida. Spend some time at Castellow Hammock Preserve and Nature Center, a 112-acre tropical hardwood forest that includes a self-guided tour along a half-mile trail. Or check out Monkey Jungle, where visitors can explore 30 acres of rainforest ecosystem, observing jungle wildlife in their natural habitat and getting up-close-and-personal with a troop of squirrel and capuchin monkeys. Visitors to Fruit & Spice Park are immersed in a tropical botanical garden that is home to more than 500 different varieties of plants from around the world, and you can even take a guided tasting tour of in-season fruits. If you’re anxious to go fanboating through the sawgrass, the entrance point to the Everglades National Park is less than a half-hour’s drive. And you’re just 45 minutes from Key Largo, where world-class diving, dining and relaxation await. “I can drive to the east and be on the Atlantic, I can drive west and be in the Everglades, I can drive south and be in the Keys,” says Rodriguez. “It’s incredible.”

There are multiple grocery stores throughout the area to make food shopping easy. Publix has two locations – one on 184th Street and another on 152nd Street – and Tom Thumb is centrally located on Krome Avenue. There are also several local farm stands in the area, including Papa Corn’s House, Rancho Yenny and Gulfstream Tomato Growers. For a casual meal out with the family, try Royd’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their extensive menu offers something for every taste, from burgers to chicken to steak to seafood. And when the need for retail therapy strikes, head over to Eureka Promenade, where you’ll find a variety of stores and restaurants.

The word is out regarding the Florida lifestyle, so it’s not a secret getaway anymore. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still find your own little slice of seclusion in the Sunshine State. “When you wake up in the morning, the only noise you hear is the birds outside,” says Rodriguez. “And people who live here work to keep it peaceful.” If you’re in the market for a home that affords that combination of peaceful privacy and easy convenience, check out Outer Homestead. With beautiful homes and huge lots with plenty of nearby amenities, it’s a piece of paradise in South Florida.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Yanan Sun

Video By

Austin Lewis