The Metrorail Doesn’t Go Anywhere: Myth Busted

After a long hiatus, Ryan, the Sprawl Hater is back to bust a popular myth here in South Florida that “the metrorail doesn’t go anywhere”. While it may be true that the Metrorail doesn’t go everywhere that it should, you can’t say that it doesn’t go anywhere, either. Yes, we absolutely should have metrorail, light rail, or similar form of mass transit going directly to the airport, FIU, Dolphins Stadium, Miami Beach, Little Havana, and Midtown, among other places. (Note: The two new extensions to be built within the next 5-10 years, however flawed, will finally service FIU, the airport, and Dolphins Stadium). Nonetheless, if you live within about a half a mile of a metrorail station from Allapattah south, you should be able to use metrorail for just about anything. Even if you live north of Allapattah, you could still use metrorail for all of the same reasons, it’s just going to take you a few extra minutes.

That’s right, I’m making the argument that if you live along the metrorail line from Allapattah station south (for convenience), you should be able to live relatively comfortably without a car.

So, here we go:

Since we all get hungry, and even need to eat on occasion, (or six times a day like me) groceries are a must. Good thing – Publix is located in Brickell and Dadeland; Milam’s is in the Grove; Winn Dixie is at Sunset Place. However, after a long day at work many of us wouldn’t mind going out to eat instead of chicken for the 27^th consecutive night; good news again – there’s hundreds of restaurants and take out joints scattered around most of the metrorail stations. Whether you’re jonesing for Cheesecake factory or The Big Cheese, you can get there via metrorail. Wanna catch a movie after dinner? We’ve got AMC Sunset at (you guessed it) Sunset Place or AMC Cocowalk if you’re closer to the Grove. Rather watch the movie in the comfort of your own home? Blockbuster is at Brickell (Brickell station) and the University of Miami (University station), and Super Star Video is right across the street from the Grove Station. Rather hit up the bar or the club instead of doing the movie? Sunset Place and Coconut Grove have plenty of bars plus some clubs, while Park West downtown has clubs like Metropolis, Pawn Shop, and Space – all easily accessible via metrorail or metromover.

Perhaps it’s the weekend now and you’re making plans. If the ‘Canes are in town, you can catch a game at the OB, courtesy of metrorail (Culmer station). You’ll be laughing all the way to the bank (which, by the way can be found near most stations) as you walk by disgruntled superfans caught in traffic jams (how on earth does the city allow the 12^th avenue drawbridge to go up three times in the hour before kickoff???) and about to pay through the nose for parking on some random guy’s property. If it’s basketball season, you can catch your NBA champion Heat at the AAA – again without the hassle of driving/parking. Perhaps you’re more of the cultured type; metrorail will take you to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Space Transit Planetarium, and the Miami Museum of Science (has anyone seen the Titanic?) Why not a nightcap? Metromover (via metrorail) will drop you off right by our brand new Carnival Performing Arts Center, where you can catch a broadway show or an opera.

Now that it’s Sunday, you might want to relax and read a good book. Metrorail will wisk you to Barnes and Noble at Sunset Place if you’re looking to buy or to the Miami-Dade Public Library Main Branch Downtown if you’ve got a library card (damn those late fees, though). Of course, the wife or the girlfriend may have other plans in store for you. Fellas, as we know, this usually means some sort of shopping is involved. If she wants jewelry, you can take her downtown to the Miami Jewelry district (not Sunday, though – I think it’s closed). For pretty much anything else (clothes, shoes, electronics, sporting goods, home décor, or general goods) you should be able to find at either Dadeland Mall, Dadeland North Station (Target, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond), Macy’s or Ross’ (Downtown), Sunset Place, Cocowalk, or Mayfair in the Grove. If you’re the parsimonious type, you may want to check out the Northside Flea Market (Northside station).

Unfortunately, Sunday also means some of the more mundane chores. Chances are if you live near a metrorail station, a laundromat will be nearby if you’ve got dirty clothes. Time to renew medication? Walgreens and CVS can be found along the metrorail as well. Hair starting to look like Colin Farrell in Miami Vice? Get to a barbershop (or salon) fast – they’re located along the metrorail line, too.

On Monday, instead of waking up to face a dreaded commute you can get some extra sleep and read the newspaper on the train. After that long weekend of eating out, partying, and stadium food, you’ll probably want to hit up the gym after work – LA Fitness at Sunset Place, Shaq Fitness & Grove Fitness in Coconut Grove, among others.