Lovely 2 Bed home in Homestead, USA

Great exchange opportunity for those interested in experiencing all that South Florida has to offer. This is my year-round home, not a vacation house. It is comfortable, clean, and lived in, located in a quiet, safe neighborhood. It is a great place for a family with children or couples on the go.

My home is a modernized 1950s house located in Homestead, Florida. Homestead is most famous for the damage Hurricane Andrew caused in 1992 when the town and surrounding areas were devastated. Over twenty years later, the community has been rebuilt and is thriving. Homestead is the gateway to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and the Florida Keys. It provides easy access to Miami's many venues for shopping, museums, and night life.

The house includes central air conditioning and heating and all rooms have ceiling fans. The kitchen has a dishwasher, electric stove/cooker with oven, microwave, coffee maker, toaster,electric kettle, and full-sized refrigerator with freezer. There is a washer and dryer, and a security and fire detection system. In addition, there is a living room, dining room, office, laundry room, children's play room, two bedrooms, and one bathroom, with both tub and shower. One bedroom has a queen-sized bed and the other has a crib/toddler bed. In addition, the sofa in the living room pulls out into a full-size bed. Two air mattresses are also available if additional sleeping accommodation is needed.

The house is all on one level, but there is one step up from the entry into the living room and another step down from the kitchen to the dining room. There is a large fenced yard, a covered patio, and a screened porch. Avocado and mango trees are in the back yard (fruit ripens in June-August).

When you need a break from people-watching on South Beach or an airboat tour through the Everglades, the in-home entertainment includes 3 televisions with satellite dish, DVD player with movies, Wii gaming system, wireless internet, books, and access to Netflix. There are lots of toys, puzzles, games, DVDs, and books to keep the little ones occupied when you need a break.

This is a non-smoking house. I have two cats, which could be cared for elsewhere during the exchange, if that is a problem. I'm willing to consider a car exchange as well. My car is a 2012 Hyundai Sonata (a mid-size vehicle seating 5) in excellent condition with free roadside protection. Two car seats and one booster car seat available for children.

My home is ideally located to explore Miami and the Florida Keys, and to experience the cultural diversity of South Florida. Everglades National Park (www.nps.gov/ever) and Biscayne National Park (www.nps.gov/bisc) are located nearby in Homestead. Black Point Park and Marina in Homestead is a starting point for fishing or diving expeditions (www.miamidade.gov/parks/parks/black_point_marina.asp). Fishing charters on Florida Bay or Biscayne Bay are also readily available. You can also fish from shore in Biscayne National Park or Black Point Park and Marina.In addition, Key Largo is 26 miles from the house and it is an easy day trip to snorkel at John Pennecamp State Park or to explore the rest of the keys. Numerous deep sea fishing charters are available in the Keys. Key West is only 125 miles away but should be an overnight trip if you want time to explore the city's museums, beaches, and night life. Even better, take a day trip from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Go to www.nps.gov/drto and you'll see why it is a must for any trip to South Florida. Drive west for about an hour and you'll experience Big Cypress National Preserve (www.nps.gov/bicy). The Miccosukee Tribe of Indian of Florida operates a casino that is 20 miles from the house. Further west along the Tamiami Trail, the Tribe operates a museum, airboat tours, and a restaurant. Head east on the Tamiami Trail and you'll be in the heart of Miami's Cuban district, Little Havana.

South Beach with its Art Deco architecture and celebrity sightings is a 50-minute drive from the house. Fishing and scuba trips are readily available nearby. Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park and John Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo are excellent opportunities for both novice and experienced snorkelers. Scuba diving is available at both locations and throughout the Keys. Golf courses are availabe in the area. Orlando is a 5-hour drive away. Naples is a 2-hour drive away.

Homestead features numerous restaurants offering diverse cuisine; many shopping opportunities including an outlet mall; a 12-screen cinema; a new hospital and various medical facilities; and other amenities expected in a modern suburban community. Local Homestead attractions include the two national parks; the Coral Castle Museum (www.coralcastle.com); Schnebly Redland's Winery (www.schneblywinery.com); and the Fruit and Spice Park (www.fruitandspicepark.org), among others. Miami area attractions include beaches, shopping, dining, and museums. Just some of the museums available include: the Miami Children's Museum (www.miamichildrensmuseum.org); Zoo Miami (www.miamimetrozoo.com); History Miami (www.historymiami.org); Miami Science Museum (www.miamisci.org); Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (www.vizcaya.org); Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens (www.fairchild.org); Bass Art Museum (www.bassmuseum.org); Lowe Art Museum (www.lowemuseum.org); Miami Art Museum (www.pamm.org); and the Museum of Contemporary Art (www.moca.org), among others. Other area attractions include the Miami Seaquarium (www.miamisequarium.org), Parrott Jungle Island (www.jungleisland.com), and Monkey Jungle (www.monkeyjungle.com) among other family-friendly attractions.

Conditions of exchange

Facilities

Nearby