University Park is a well-known college town frequented by FIU students. This neighborhood tends to offer a mix of an urban and suburban feel, with many coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. Many of the residences in University Park are a combination of multi-unit housing and single-family homes, and most of the multi-unit residences are near FIU's campus.

Sweetwater, locally known as “Little Managua,” is an appealing and convenient place to live for FIU students because it is close to the main campus.

Coral Terrace and West Miami are both near enough to the main campus that students can commute by bike. They both also offer cheap rent – perfect for college students on a budget.

Coral Gables is another neighborhood near the main campus. While rent costs there can be a bit on the expensive side, it offers a lively, fun atmosphere with many bookstores, cafes, bars, and theaters.

Located to the south of the main campus, the Sunset and South Miami neighborhoods are both convenient options for students as well. These neighborhoods are close to the University of Miami, so they have a thriving college town feel with shopping, bars, and students.

Dining

There are many off-campus dining options that FIU students can explore, many of which are in University Park.

One nearby popular restaurant is Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar, located only a five-minute drive from campus. It is a seafood, Latin American, and Peruvian restaurant. While this restaurant is a bit on the pricier side, it is a great treat for students who are looking for something a little different from their usual campus fare.

Another popular dining spot is SpecialTEA Lounge, located in the Columbia Shopping Plaza and only a seven-minute drive from campus. It specializes in Asian teas but also serves coffee, frappes, and paninis. This eatery has quite an extensive menu, with items ranging from breakfast sandwiches to fruit smoothies to boba drinks to a variety of savory dishes.

FIU students also frequent Pincho Factory, a casual spot that offers great food to hungry customers. This restaurant serves “Pincho bowls,” salads, burgers, sandwiches, and hotdogs, which are all great options for students who want something casual but high quality when they are off campus.

Transportation

FIU has several reliable transportation options that allow students to get to and from their destinations.

On the Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC), Panther Mover offers on-campus golf cart shuttles that operate continuously Monday through Friday with stops throughout the routes.

For students looking to travel between MMC and the Biscayne Bay Campus, the Panther Express Shuttle transports students and FIU community members between each campus. This shuttle is free for currently enrolled students, who simply need to swipe their FIU One card upon boarding. It is $5 for non-students and affiliates to ride.

Other transportation services include the CATS Shuttle, which travels between MMC and the Engineering Center.

For students looking to travel off-campus, the Sweet Water Trolley is a free transportation service for the public from the city of Sweetwater. This trolley operates Monday through Friday with a slightly shortened schedule on the weekends. Its stops include Dolphin Mall, parks, Sweetwater Municipal Complex, and FIU's MMC campus.

In addition, the North Miami Express, offered by the city of North Miami, is a free transportation service that stops at parks, restaurants, and FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus.

Parking

Students who wish to park their cars on campus can access virtual parking permits. The price of a student permit in both the fall and spring is $93.45; in the summer, the price is $87.15. To figure out where on campus to park, students can access this map of FIU's campus.

Safety

FIU values its students' and its community's safety. To that end, the Florida International University Police Department (FIUPD) on campus prevents and investigates criminal activity, directs vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and is committed to solving issues that affect FIU students, faculty, and staff.

Shopping

For students who prefer to cook their own meals and need groceries, there are several grocery stores nearby to choose from, including the supermarket chain, Sedano's, which has Cuban roots and stocks basic groceries and produce; it is only a five-minute drive from campus and is conveniently open 24/7.

Another option is Publix, a supermarket that offers a wide selection of groceries as well as a deli and bakery.

There are also several shopping malls and plazas near campus, such as Miami International Mall, an enclosed shopping mall in Doral only about a ten-minute drive from FIU's campus. This mall contains more than 140 of the latest retail and fashion brands as well as 22 different eateries.

Dolphin Mall is another, even larger shopping mall located in Sweetwater, with more than 240 retail outlets. For FIU students hoping to take a break from studying to shop and explore in a large mall, this is an ideal place to visit.