Three Lakes, FL

Just south of Three Lakes sits a vast open expanse with an unexpected history: during World War II, the property served as Naval Air Station Richmond, housing Navy blimps in towering wooden hangars. A 1945 hurricane and fire leveled the base, and the land was later reimagined for recreation. Today, it is home to Zoo Miami and the Gold Coast Railroad Museum. Having these major South Florida attractions right along the southern border gives the area an open, expansive backdrop that sets it apart from typical suburban communities.

Three Lakes itself is a quiet, comfortable suburban community in southwest Miami-Dade County, located roughly 16 miles from downtown Miami. The area is largely made up of family-friendly subdivisions like Bonita Lakes and Deerwood, where single-family houses and townhomes wrap around scenic man-made lakes. Daily errands are quick and convenient, with retail hubs like Deerwood Town Center and various grocery stores situated along main thoroughfares such as Coral Reef Drive (SW 152nd Street) and SW 137th Avenue.

Community connection thrives through neighborhood parks, active homeowners associations, and local sports leagues. Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park serves as a main gathering spot, offering a community center, youth summer camps, fitness classes, and lit basketball and soccer fields. Because Three Lakes is unincorporated, county facilities and neighborhood amenities provide the social spaces where neighbors get together. Depending on where you settle, your daily routine might include neighborhood pool access inside a gated community or quick walks to weekend soccer matches.

Living next to Zoo Miami gives residents easy access to 750 acres of lush animal exhibits, splash pads, and four miles of paved walking paths, making annual memberships a favorite perk for local families. Right next door, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers interactive exhibits and festive seasonal events. Commuters can connect to the rest of Miami-Dade via nearby access to Florida's Turnpike and the Don Shula Expressway, or utilize local transit options like Metrobus along SW 137th Avenue. It all comes together to create a calm, waterside enclave with big backyard attractions.