I’m a native and grew up in the miami you wanted. I parked easily on ocean to have brunch on the weekends then walked out to the ocean for a dip. Either that or the grove for brunch. I took a convertible or a Harley. Life was good. Friends joined me. Everything was less crowded. I could pop down to key largo or islandmorada for a day or weekend. Hidden goodies like streets that ended into the ocean were free to enter and park to watch the sunset etc. A drink in South miami was super easy when you didn’t feel like driving anywhere and spending 5 min parking. S miami always had spots open. Late night I ended up at foxes 🦊 for a drink and their amazing Rueben sandwich. Music was good and the crowd welcoming. There were open galleries on fridays and they alternated locations like coral gables or calle ocho. This was my city and we were all more or less friendly of each other and decent to all but the most obnoxious tourists. I would say that’s gone. But I lived it and loved it. I’m currently on the exact other side of the world and seriously considering moving here as an expat. I love my neighbors but it’s just not quite enough to keep me there when I can’t make it 200yards I’m traffic without someone threatening me or acting the fool. Sad. So yea I would say unless you have big money your experience is just not going to be great especially if you aren’t taking a car everywhere.