Some interesting history is practically expected from most South Florida cities. After all, most of them have one! The Village of Bal Harbour is no exception. It only began getting settled in the 1920′s, but ended up playing a huge part of the second world war. The planners behind the city decided to hold off on their work for awhile and give the US government use of the land for a very cheap price. Soon, there were barracks, rifle ranges and prisoner of war camps all over what is, today, the village of Bal Harbor. After the war was over, the Government showed its appreciation by allowing the barracks to stay and be converted into Miami apartments for rent. After all the delays, planners wasted no time in getting these units ready and moving people in so that the city could be incorporated. It finally happened in the late 1940s.
Bal Harbour by the Numbers
So what kind of people live in the rental homes of Bal Harbour? Well, it’s not a very diverse community, with over 70% of its 3,000 plus residents being Caucasian. About 40 percent of households in Bal Harbour are made up of families, which gives it a lower average then most other places in South Florida. In addition, the average age of residents is in the 50′s. There’s some good news on the income front, as Bal Harbour residents have a higher average income than the rest of the country.
Fun in the Sun
Most activities in the area have to do with the water and outdoors. The city has a park that residents are allowed to make use of up until dusk each day. The park also includes a recreation center for residents and is available for rental for special events. If you’re looking for a day out on the water, there is the nearby Blue Waters Charters and Haulover Park Marina. These companies take customers out for fishing and boating day trips. There are also free Pilates classes on the beach, holiday events and kid’s camps. Check the visitors section of http://www.balharbourgov.com for a complete listing of all the events that are held there each month. They also have plenty of resources listed for people new to the area.
Exploring the Village
So, now you’re probably wondering what shopping in available in the area. Here, there is the Bal Habour Shops, which has a large variety of shops to suit most needs. There are book stores, Electronics stores and Personal Care stores in addition to the usual clothing stores in malls. You can get nails done at The Nail Spa at Bal Harbour or stop for some food and drink at Sante Fe News and Espresso. The site above has a full listing of all these stores and their phone numbers.
Even if you decide to choose one of the many Miami condos for rent out there, Bal Harbour is still an interesting place that is close enough to visit. Make sure no matter where in South Florida you end up, you take full advantage of all the area has to offer.
