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Miramar Neighborhoods for Growing Families: Silver Lakes, Sunset Lakes, and More

From gated lakeside communities in west Miramar to the older, close-knit blocks of Miramar Isles, the city offers very different ways to raise a family.

By Nanci Gilbert, PA September 28, 2026
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Miramar sits in southwest Broward with easy reach of both Miami-Dade and Fort Lauderdale, and its neighborhoods are far from uniform. A buyer looking at a few homes could easily tour a gated lakeside community and a quiet 1950s street in the same afternoon. Knowing the main areas, and how they differ, is the fastest way to narrow the search.

Silver Lakes: the picture of west Miramar

Silver Lakes is Miramar's flagship master-planned community, with more than 3,500 homes arranged around natural lakes, tree-lined streets, and gated sections. Parks sit throughout, and an on-site elementary school makes morning drop-off a short walk for many families. It is the neighborhood people describe first when they talk about family life in Miramar.

Sunset Lakes: gated, Mediterranean, calm

Sunset Lakes is a gated west Miramar community of roughly 1,300 Mediterranean-style homes built in the early 2000s around a chain of lakes. A clubhouse, fitness center, tennis courts, and pools anchor the communal life, and the lakefront lots are the most requested. Families describe it as peaceful and orderly, with most daily needs a short drive away.

Riviera Isles: resort-style living

Riviera Isles is a guard-gated community built by Minto in the early 2000s, with more than 1,300 Mediterranean-style homes around Lake Riviera and Lake Sunset Falls. A resort-style clubhouse with pools, tennis courts, a gym, and a jacuzzi gives the amenity list a vacation feel, and homes here typically sit in a higher price band than the rest of the city. For buyers who want the community itself to be the lifestyle, this is the address.

Miramar Isles: the older, close-knit east side

On the east side, Miramar Isles offers ranch and Spanish Revival homes built largely between the 1940s and 1960s, with patios, pools, and mature trees. Prices are generally more approachable than the gated west side, and longtime neighbors give the streets a close-knit feel. Its position near major highways balances an older, quieter character with quick access to both counties.

Schools and the everyday

Miramar schools are part of Broward County Public Schools, and families in the western communities consistently name schools as a reason they chose the area. Beyond zoning, the everyday matters: parks, libraries, and sports programs are spread through the city, and the drive to Miami-Dade or Fort Lauderdale is manageable in either direction. A conversation with your agent about the school zone for each listing saves surprises later.

Nanci Gilbert, PA is a South Florida realtor who guides buyers and sellers across Miami-Dade and Broward. Questions about this topic? She answers every message within one business day.