I'm moving to Miami.... Help!?

I am a 21 year old male and I am moving to Miami Florida in January to go to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary school. It is located in the city of North Miami which I understand is a couple miles away from downtown and South Beach. I would like to live in the downtown or beach area where the nightlife is very good. I was wondering how the traffic would be commuting. Where the best place to live might be if I get a 1 bedroom apartment. Also I am an experienced bartender so I would be looking for a job doing that. Any information about living and working in Miami would be great. Thanks