viapanam From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 2 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 1647 times:
Hi All,
A bit of a different twist on plane spotting. I am hardly a newbie; I have been spotting for 40+ years. In June, I will be moving to Miami to start Doctoral work, and am looking for an apartment. I was wondering, does anyone know of a good complex with great views of arrivals or departures. I think my preference would be west of the airport; every time I can remember landing at MIA it was west to east. But I have no strong opinions on that. South would be better than north, just because it would closer to campus. I will be making at least one recon in the next month, but if anyone has suggestions, that would be great. Thanks in advance.
n314as From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 101 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (2 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
The only apartments next to the airport (those by runway 30 for clear views of the airfield) are in a medium to high
crime area where there are many burglaries. They are cheap but risky and of course, they have to be available too. You see glass every day from smashed cars. It is not wise if you own cameras or good equipment to stay there. The view is good though if you get one on the north side of the building. All the rest around Miami Airport does not have good apartments. There are some on the Miami Springs side but they do not have views of the airport. On Le Jeune road, they just opened up a series of apartments or condominiums just south/east of the airport. Although they may not have a view of MIA, you may be able to shoot approaches as they fly by Le Jeune, especially for runway 27. They are a little better with better security. There are some others just south of there nearing Coral Gables city limit which may allow
you to take approach shots of planes landing on 30. There is also one huge apartment building on NW 7th street approaching NW 57th Ave which may render good airport views. It is a few blocks south of the 94th Aero Squadron.
That one has gated parking so it may be a little better.
ANITIX87 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 3233 posts, RR: 14 Reply 2, posted (2 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1549 times:
You could actually look into staying in an Extended-stay hotel if you found a cheap deal. The Residence Inn on 82nd St, or the Candlewood Suites on 87th both have amazing views of landing traffic on short final (no direct view of the airport, though). Otherwise, as posted above, you really don't want to live within a few blocks of the airport. West is mostly industrial along Milam Dairy Road, South there's a highway, East is the Rental Car Center (no residences) and North is a high-crime area you don't want to even consider.
TIS
www.stellaryear.com: Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 5DMkII, Sigma 50mm 1.4, Canon 24-70 2.8L II, Canon 100mm 2.8L, Canon 100-4
viapanam From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 1420 times:
Thanks all for your responses. I have identified a few of the complexes you pointed out and will do a recon trip shortly. I may end up living elsewhere - South Miami, Kendell or Dadeland - but I figured I'd see whether I could find an acceptable place where I can sit on a balcony during down time and enjoy the traffic. The smell of AvGas and the sound of a heavy on short final are actually assets to me, while it would turn others away. Thanks again.
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From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 2 posts, 
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