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Florida used to be filled with quaint roadside and other attractions, before Disney World arrived in the 1970's. Many of these attractions have died out, but there are some that are still very popular and quite interesting for a tourist in Florida. Gatorland, a family-owned attraction, is home to hundreds of alligators. This park in Orlando, Florida has a show in which 8-10 foot alligators jump as high up as 5 feet to grab raw chicken. The Weeki Wachee Springs State Park features women dressed as mermaids performing underwater. The Sarasota Jungle Gardens is another great Florida attraction. It has 40 acres of tropical vegetation, winding jungle trails as well as bird and reptile shows. This must-see Florida attraction is also home to Frosty, a unicycle riding cockatoo that recently turned 75!

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Moving to Miami is like moving to another country. Cultural diversity and a laid-back beachcomber lifestyle meld into a unique atmosphere that is sure to please the movers and shakers of the business world as well as the surfer dude or dudette.

Embarking on an apartment search in the greater-Miami area can be an adventure. Many newcomers can benefit from the expertise of an apartment broker as they look for the neighborhood to make their new home. Miami apartments come in a variety of sizes and price ranges, from modest to decadent.

You will find exclusive condos and penthouse apartment complexes within a short distance of modestly priced apartment high-rise buildings in Miami. One of the most prestigious areas around Miami is Gable Estates in Coral Gables. Homes in this area sell from $4.5 million up to $23 million each. This area has recently undergone some price reductions along with the rest of the country, and fantastic price discounts are available if you have the proper credit score to qualify. Home designs vary and include influences from traditional Spanish and Mediterranean architecture and Art Deco period styling.
Conversely, Miami has an overall poverty rate of almost 30%, but the cost of living is relatively high when compared to other major metropolitan areas of our country. The area located between 20-38th Streets close to Miami Civic Center and Jackson Memorial Hospital is probably the least expensive to live in. Close to 70% of this neighborhood's residents are Hispanic. You can find wholesale vegetable markets and the clothing district in this area.

Living at the Top of the Budget
The opposite end of the price spectrum might include a private penthouse apartment in Bentley Bay. Average prices for this Miami Beach/South Beach neighborhood start around $5000 and go up from there depending on the amenities. You can expect magnificent panoramic views of the downtown area and Biscayne Bay, the Port of Miami and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Waterfront Penthouses in South Beach are conveniently located within 15 minutes of the airport and The Lincoln Mall. An active nightlife and lots of eateries are within a few minutes' walk. And there are miles of white sandy beaches just outside your door.

Apartments in Miami Downtown
The downtown Miami district has moderate rental prices when compared to an oceanfront penthouse. Around 200,000 people live downtown and enjoy the museums, theaters, parks and easy access to the rail system and metro bus lines. The financial district is located downtown. A mixed upper class mainly occupies the downtown area, and there are many high-rise apartments to explore during your apartment search.

Starting around $2000 a month, you can expect to find a comfortable apartment near the center of downtown on Brickell Avenue with a pool, business center, sauna and work out facilities, washer/dryer and covered parking. Most buildings also have security features. A local apartment broker may have listings of people looking for a sublet or roommate to finish out a lease option.

Many Options are Available for the Modest to Moderate Budget
The Windsor House Apartments on SW 67th start at about $700 per month for a studio. This complex has a beautiful garden and is close to public transit for school or work. Washer and dryer outlets are included in most apartments and Spanish-speaking office staffers are available.

Reasonably priced Miami apartments for college students attending the Kendall Campus for Miami Dade College can be found at the Residences at the Falls. Just four miles from the Kendall Campus and Barry University, the area boasts highly rated schools. The complex offers two Olympic sized pools, several tennis courts and a secure, gated community atmosphere.

Apartments in Miami do not all Cater to the Tourist and the Professional Crowd
If you find yourself in need of public assistance, many properties are HUD-qualified. Contact an apartment broker or real estate office for a complete listing. If you need to file new paperwork to establish residency in Florida, you can contact the Public Housing Authority Office by calling 305-532-4434 or stop by the office located at 150 Alton Road in Miami Beach.
Starting an apartment search for the perfect place in Miami is a journey. Look for an apartment that offers rich cultural diversity, a variety of restaurants and easy access by car, foot or transit to the beach. Then relax and enjoy your new Southern Florida home.

Where Can I Find. . .
Best school ratings–Ada Merritt K-8 received a top 10 rating in Miami.
Best beach club–Nikki on Ocean Drive has a DJ that plays Disco, Lounge and Dance music and a beach atmosphere with celebrity appeal.

Best beaches–across from the active nightlife on Ocean Drive. Careful, some beaches are topless!
This guest post article was written and provided by Martha Keagan who is a freelance writer, full time mother and part time real estate and apartments broker.

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Owing to the rising air travel fares, the number of passengers on North Carolina sector is diminishing which were to commute by air travel more than 50 miles from their native places on the arriving holiday weekend. This is suggested by the AAA Carolinas which is a nonprofit membership group for drivers and other travelers and they base their claim on a study on air travel.
The group declared that it expects 37,300 state residents to take air travel this weekend, which is down by 9 percent from the 41,000 it had forecasted before Labor Day weekend last year.
AAA Carolinas stated slow job growth, reincarnated financial incertitude and across-the-board air travel fare hikes are holding people around the nation closer to home, and thus declining the number of passengers taking air travel.
Compared to air travel, car travel stays an inexpensive alternative and the effects of Hurricane Irene have been more minor than what most North Carolinians had feared. Most of North Carolina's coastal cities and beaches will be open for business this weekend.