CoastieChicks.net
::  Miami, FL - nicash
Station/Boat Location~
USCGC DRUMMOND (110')

Date there~
May 2010-Summer 2012

Weather~
Exactly like you imagine Florida to be. Feels like Summer most of the year. July-September there are a lot of afternoon showers, but they come and go quickly. It doesn't usually get 'chilly' until November. It can stay nippy until the end of February, but sometimes it's strange: There was a warm-ish day tucked into a cool January week this year that I found myself at the beach. No matter what, before you know it it feels like Summer again:)

Military facilities~
Sector Miami or Opa Locka Air Station

Medical~
You see civilian doctors. We live in West Pembroke Pines and that's where most of my Doctors are located.
My Primary Care Manager is Dr. Oliver at Memorial West Hospital. She is SUPER sweet, quick, and helpful. She gives referrals in a timely manner. I have been really happy with her. Dr. Amarante is my OBGYN and will be one of my favorite Doctors for all time. She is in Memorial Miramar Hospital. I saw another OBGYN, I believe in Coral Springs (at the Royal Palm office), who didn't listen to me when I told her I knew something was wrong with my body, was short, and insensitive. I finally tried Dr. Amarante (referred to me by another CG wife) and she took the time to listen to me. She was very compassionate and wanted to help me find the issue, treat the issue, and get better. She had me see a urologist (Dr. Weinstein who was such a sweet and uber educated man) for my symptoms who discovered my fibroid tumors. Dr. Amarante was the surgeon to remove them, and helped me through my recovery. She recently recommended me to our Fertility Specialist, Dr. Abae with Fertility & Genetics in Plantation, FL. Another, great Doctor. He's sensitive, a great listener, thorough...I could go on. And to go back to the OBGYN/PCM the hospitals they work at are about 15 minutes from one another (they work in the medical buildings attached to the hospitals) and they are top rated hospitals. Dr. Abae in Plantation is about 15 minutes from West Pembroke Pines and 15 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale. DH had to see a urologist as well. He was referred out too. He saw Dr. Samowitz and we also had an amazing experience with him. Our Doctors have really just been great people- top notch!

Housing~
You live on economy if you're married. If not, depending on rank you may have to start out in the barracks. My husband and I joke all the time that those barracks are NICE. I haven't seen the inside, but they are practically on South Beach. Have a great view. Not a bad deal for a single guy. I believe you are able to request economy. We chose to live in West Pembroke Pines. Some other great options outside of Miami are Weston (a little pricey), Cooper City, some areas of Plantation & Davie. My DH's commute is about 35-40 minutes. He said it really isn't that bad and is good 'think' and 'unwind' time.

Shopping~
There is TONS of shopping available. Grocery: Publix, Fresh Market, Whole Foods. Drug Store: CVS & Walgreens. Clothing: You name it, it's probably within 5-20 minutes. Down by South Beach you have Lincoln Rd. and (I think it's called) Washington Ave. Lots of restaurants and stores! If you live in West Pembroke Pines (which I feel like a lot of people stationed down in Miami do) you have Pembroke Lakes Mall, which is ok. You have the outdoor, new, nice Pembroke Gardens Mall. Over by Plantation is the Sawgrass Mills Mall. There are malls everywhere.

Child Care/Schools~
We don't have children yet so I can't speak a lot on this. I do know there are some well rated schools in the West Pembroke Pines/Weston area. Cambridge and World of Knowledge have great VPK options. I work at The Little Gym which isn't a school or day care, but is a great extra curricular (extra curricular doesn't even begin to describe all the amazing benefits of this program) option.

Adult Schools~
All in probably a 45 minute drive you have FIU, NOVA, University of Miami, Kaplan. Lots of options.

Fun Activities~
So many! In the greater Miami area they have lots of concerts, festivals, something called Miami Spice (Google it. Restaurants participate in it revising their menu to make a more affordable prefixed menu from a nice restaurant), Miami Seaquarium, Parasail, Jet Ski, the beach in general, shop, drive to the Keys, take a cruise, college football games, NFL games, MLB games, lots of bars for nightlife, boating trips. You could literally find something to do just about any night of the week.

Additional Info~
I wasn't really sure what to expect. I actually grew up in N. Florida. This is NOTHING like where I grew up. It's bigger and busier. There are a lot of different cultures down here. If you can learn to embrace it you'll love it! The weather is nice! The area we live in I feel totally safe. There are a lot of options for things to do. We've made some great friends. There are opportunities for work for spouses. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to PM me! We've been really happy here!

Homeport FL

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