[lonelychicagoan]

hello, it's me again. now, i did some rather extensive research on the southwest suburbs of miami and have in fact found the suburbs of west miami, south miami, and coral gables to be rather nice and quiet areas. basically, i have found very low crime rates in those towns and some very nice houses. now, what i would like to know is are the people in west/south miami, coral gables, and southward any friendly?

[bale002]

Friendly compared to what?

In any case, in those areas, at least 50% of the people, if not more depending on the specific neighborhood, is mostly Spanish speaking. Therefore your cultural experience will be that much fuller if you are fluent in Spanish and show some sensitivity.

At the same time, it is hard to generalize. I have struck up conversations in restaurants and on the train with both Anglos and Hispanics.

So, half the friendly question depends on you.

Good luck.

[lulu]

Sure they are friendly...and probably a bit more open minded than some areas as they are accustomed to almost anything or anyone. Yes, there are nice quiet friendly places. I myself love some of my neighbors and they aren't necessarily clones of myself - either culturally, nor racially. I get invited to their family parties or Christmas parties (like one last yr), etc. Just like week I got invited to a neighbors baby party and I have never even had children - but I was soo...touched by their sweet thoughtful invitation that I went & l had a great time playing with babies, kids, etc. Another went on vacation this week and I'm watching over his home, picking up his newspapers, etc. Even during one hurricane one neighbor helped us with a city tree that fell on our walkway. So lots has to do on whom we are, how we project ourselves and the world will respond in kind. Friendships are a two way street...if we give of ourselves I am most certain the majority will respond in kind no matter whom they are or what they look like.
Also, from time to time you might encounter someone frustrated and angry out there, but that's part of living in a big metropolitan type city with tons of humans that at times can get stressed out - and that can reflect on their driving, too.
I must say you might encounter a cultural shock in some areas, but then again it depends on whom you are. And with the Spanish speakers remember....they might seem angry, but they could be saying something nice - it's just the way they speak or come across, almost an art form with hands waving, eyes rolling and the whole shabang.... The whole body communicates with voice, body and everything at once. You might just feel right at home in some of those areas...who knows? Everything depends....

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by lulu

Sure they are friendly...and probably a bit more open minded than some areas as they are accustomed to almost anything or anyone. Yes, there are nice quiet friendly places. I myself love some of my neighbors and they aren't necessarily clones of myself - either culturally, nor racially. I get invited to their family parties or Christmas parties (like one last yr), etc. Just like week I got invited to a neighbors baby party and I have never even had children - but I was soo...touched by their sweet thoughtful invitation that I went & l had a great time playing with babies, kids, etc. Another went on vacation this week and I'm watching over his home, picking up his newspapers, etc. Even during one hurricane one neighbor helped us with a city tree that fell on our walkway. So lots has to do on whom we are, how we project ourselves and the world will respond in kind. Friendships are a two way street...if we give of ourselves I am most certain the majority will respond in kind no matter whom they are or what they look like.
Also, from time to time you might encounter someone frustrated and angry out there, but that's part of living in a big metropolitan type city with tons of humans that at times can get stressed out - and that can reflect on their driving, too.
I must say you might encounter a cultural shock in some areas, but then again it depends on whom you are. And with the Spanish speakers remember....they might seem angry, but they could be saying something nice - it's just the way they speak or come across, almost an art form with hands waving, eyes rolling and the whole shabang.... The whole body communicates with voice, body and everything at once. You might just feel right at home in some of those areas...who knows? Everything depends....

Hahahaha. You are funny! Yeah, for sure the hands go waving and whatever surface is nearby gets slapped because we're always trying to prove a point But honestly, Coral Gables and South Miami are more affluent than West Miami. They have lots of chic shopping, sidewalk cafes, ritzy restaurants, etc. West Miami, which is where I live by the way, is smaller, quieter in some ways, and lots of long, really long-time residents here, so older, updated homes and some not so well taken care of but that's almost understandable - seniors, limited income, and taxes and HOI that's strangling everybody.

[lulu]

I have a friend that lives in West Miami in a nice corner home...yeah, it's not all glitzy like richer neighborhoods...but it's a nice decent quiet middle class community, made up of friendly hard working souls.
Hee, hee..yeah, sounds funny on the hand stuff...but I have been told so many times by non-spanish speakers, "Gosh, why are they so angry all the time...?" If they only knew... and besides when they really do get angry, one doesn't even want to be around, sometimes I wonder why crime is creeping it's way down, down here ...

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by lulu

I have a friend that lives in West Miami in a nice corner home...yeah, it's not all glitzy like richer neighborhoods...but it's a nice decent quiet middle class community, made up of friendly hard working souls.
Hee, hee..yeah, sounds funny on the hand stuff...but I have been told so many times by non-spanish speakers, "Gosh, why are they so angry all the time...?" If they only knew... and besides when they really do get angry, one doesn't even want to be around, sometimes I wonder why crime is creeping it's way down, down here ...

I think my body is working harder than my soul. It has to get out of bed and drive every day.. but my soul.......THAT'S HERE!!!

[tallrick]

There are good and bad people everywhere, of all races and economic groups. In Florida it's just the luck of the draw. Be aware that us long time residents are suspicious of too much friendliness so just be nice and not too nosy. You will meet great people but remember, they will be moving out of state eventually.

[Christian11]

Originally Posted by lonelychicagoan

hello, it's me again. now, i did some rather extensive research on the southwest suburbs of miami and have in fact found the suburbs of west miami, south miami, and coral gables to be rather nice and quiet areas. basically, i have found very low crime rates in those towns and some very nice houses. now, what i would like to know is are the people in west/south miami, coral gables, and southward any friendly?

Lonely, just move down here and quit asking questions. We have posted in of your boards. We have given you info, the TRUTH, and yet you try to come up with a reason to move down. You seem to want to move anyway, so move!

Crime data needs to be checked with the local police depts. Call the local PD to get up-to-date data. Even in areas which have low crime, you will be sourrounded by areas with several murders a week, so are you going to be a prisoner of your own little "Safe area"?

Moving down here to be confined to a small area... LOL