SpaceAce

It looks like, after more than twenty-two years away from the Atlantic coast and over sixteen years outside of my state of birth, I'm going home. I have no clue what the Miami area is like these days and I don't have much time to check it out. Are there any decent areas left within 30-40 minutes of the city that won't break the bank? I can't afford to pay $3,500/month for a pimp condo but I don't want to get stabbed to death going for my mail if I can help it.

Are the crime and air quality problems in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami really as bad as my research says they are? I get the impression Miami is a real shithole, now. Do I want to live in Hialeah or Opa-Locka? What about Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, or Lauderhill?

The online apartment searches can only tell me so much and you can't really search for homes, so any advice is appreciated. If you know a real estate agent that has lists of rental property, let me know and I'll contact him or her.

Thanks,
SpaceAce