The city of Coral Gables is situated in Miami-Dade County in Florida, to the south-west of Miami. Famously is also referred to as simply "The Gables" and is best known for being the home to the University of Miami. It is located at 25 43' 42"N, 80 16' 16" W and has an area of more than 96 km sq. According to a recent estimate the city has a population of more than 42,000. The mean price of a home is about $900,000 dollars. Over 60% of residents earned a bachelor's degree or higher. Average household income is about $75,000 dollars. The average home age is 49 years old.
The history of Coral Gables is comparatively new when compared to other cities in the United States. It was developed by George Merrick somewhere in the 1920's. Despite a relatively new history, It is one of the first classic planned communities with three-lined boulevards, winding roads and architecture that is mostly Mediterranean in character. The developer formulated a concise planning for the city so much so that he boasted that no business was too far away for anyone to reach. Coral Gables is also referred to as the "The City Beautiful" and is situated very close to the Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami. The city is perhaps most acclaimed for being home to a large number of high quality dining establishments like Norman's and Christy's and retailers known internationally.
The Gables also has some major places of interest among which the most famous are Coral Way scenic drive, Montgomery Botanical Center, the University of Miami and the Venetian Pool. The Coral Way is none but the State Road 972, in which the beauty lies in the banyan trees lining the road. The Montgomery Botanical Center is a non- profit botanical garden that collects seeds of wild plants from world over, but primarily emphasizes on cycads and palms. It acts as a research facility and is not open for public visits. The University of Miami happens to be a major center for education for Coral Gables and the surrounding areas. It was founded in 1925 and is accredited to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Among all the interesting sites in Coral Gables, one of the most unique is the Venetian Pool which looks complete with a Venetian style bridge and classic mooring posts. The Biltmore Hotel, the City Hall building, the De Soto Fountain, and Miracle Mile are also a must see.
Coral Gables real estate is an attractive address as it is one of the most prominent cities in South Florida. A few upscale communities include, Coral Bay, Gables by the Sea, Coral Estates, and Granada Place. The real estate in Coral Gables is luxurious and elegant. Currently over 500 homes are available for sale here from $400,000 dollars to over 10,000,000 dollars. There are over 300 condos for sale from $200,000 dollars to over $2,500,000 dollars. Presently the real estate market in Coral Gables is very slow and there are many opportunities to find a beautiful home at an tremendous price. Coral Gables Real Estate is due to pick up again by 2009. Now is the occasion to buy a home in the City Beautiful.
