Sweetwater Groves

In 1939, a group of Russian circus performers who called themselves the Royal Russian Midgets were coming to the end of their world tour, and they spent the winter in South Florida. One day while out driving, they happened upon an area that seemed like an ideal place to settle down and retire. Two years later, the group established the town of Sweetwater, electing their manager Joe Sanderlin as the town’s first mayor. The name of Sweetwater was chosen because of the area’s proximity to Miami, a city whose name is taken from the Seminole word for “sweet water.” Today, the neighborhood of Sweetwater Groves is a bustling and diverse community composed of students from nearby Florida International University, as well as young adults and families. And while people are drawn to the neighborhood for different reasons – it’s close to campus, convenient to Miami, loaded with amenities – the common thread is that they love where they live. “It’s a very good location that is very quiet and very family-friendly,” says Realtor Lina Nasser. “It’s a good mix of younger and older people, too.”

The median home price in Sweetwater Groves is $350,000, and potential buyers should expect to pay slightly more than $300 per square foot. “The price points are very good, and a lot of the single-family homes have small attached studios that owners can use to rent to university students if they want,” says Nasser. Options for homes in the neighborhood range from manufactured homes to single-family residences to duplexes, and architectural styles vary, too, with Mediterranean-themed and ranch-style houses predominating. A three-bedroom/two-bathroom manufactured home can start at around $152,000, a three-bedroom/two-bathroom in one-half of a duplex sells for around $350,000, and a five-bedroom/two-bathroom single-family ranch-style home can go for up to $650,000.

Students in the neighborhood can attend Sweetwater Elementary, Paul W. Bell Middle and Miami Coral Park Senior High School. Sweetwater Elementary earns an A- rating on Niche.com, Paul W. Bell Middle earns a B- and Miami Coral Park Senior High earns a B. Parents can also send children to any of the highly-rated private schools in the area, including Ransom Everglades and Miami Country Day, ranked as the 4th and 9th best private schools in the state respectively.

Sweetwater Groves is also conveniently located to many nearby amenities. The Women’s Park is just a few minutes east down Flagler, where you’ll find 15 acres of open space to play or relax, a playground and a lake populated with abundant wildlife, all encircled by a paved walking path. Additionally, The Women’s Park is home to a butterfly garden, where you will see an abundance of those beautiful winged creatures, and a gallery featuring installations about women’s history. Just a few more miles east and you’ll cross the MacArthur Causeway into Miami Beach, where you can soak up the sun virtually year-round. “The location is great,” says Nasser. “It’s accessible to so many things that are so close to the neighborhood.”

For your shopping needs, head to Laguna Plaza, where you’ll find Food Star Supermarket and CVS Pharmacy. Target is less than 5 minutes away by car for any household necessities, and you’ll find Ross, T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty and several other retail stores in the same area. And for those times when you just want to dine out, the world comes to you in Sweetwater Groves. Whether it’s sushi from Sokai Sushi Bar, Cuban cuisine at Rinconcito Cubano, Nicaraguan food from Quesillos Guiliguiste or Cajun specialties from Cajun Boil, you’re sure to find something that tickles your culinary fancy nearby.

A convenient location, a variety of housing options and plentiful nearby amenities combine into one neighborhood in Sweetwater Groves. The area really does have something for just about everyone, so check it out if you’re in the market for a home in South Florida.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Maurice McNeil