Is Miami really as dangerous and nasty as everyone says? (Jacksonville: apartment, find a job)

[grove_nurse]

The answer to your question is no.
I am not saying there isn't dangerous areas, but with a little bit of guidance and the ability to keep outside those areas, your stay in Miami should be safe and hopefully a fun one. I suggest areas like Coral Gables, parts of South Miami and Coconut Grove to stay in if you want to be near downtown.

[doggiebus]

I agree if you come to visit Miami you should be fine, if you follow the few traditional rules, like watch whos around you, don't wear flashy jewlery, don't look like you are lost, lock your car doors at all times (most cars automatically lock already), don't hold a map up while riding in a car to show everyone you don't know where you are, etc.

I too would suggest seeing Coconut Grove, but stay where there are people don't wonder off to west coconut grove, still not that great yet (as they are kicking out the people there slowly).

[blackklight]

Originally Posted by grove_nurse

The answer to your question is no.
I am not saying there isn't dangerous areas, but with a little bit of guidance and the ability to keep outside those areas, your stay in Miami should be safe and hopefully a fun one. I suggest areas like Coral Gables, parts of South Miami and Coconut Grove to stay in if you want to be near downtown.

perfect example - NONE of those in the actual city limits. that isn't miami.

[grove_nurse]

Actually the Grove is part of Miami proper... City Hall is there...

[blackklight]

sorry, you're right.

[Lauderdale954]

Miami is very strange. Just a few miles from South Beach you can run into one of the most dangerous neighorhoods in the country. Dade County has it's good parts like every major county, but it also has MANY MANY terrible areas. As for Detroit compared to Miami..I do not care what the stats say. I still feel much safer in Detroit than Miami, personally.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Lauderdale954

I do not care what the stats say. I still feel much safer in Detroit than Miami, personally.

As a metro area (comparing to Dade County), I'm going to have to agree with you on this one. Downtown Detroit also isn't that bad. "Strange" is definitely the right word.

[Daniel_T]

yeah, I don't feel any fear in Detroit, but I really think twice about Miami due to all the crime. Yeah it might be concentrated in certain parts, but people make it sound like ALL of Miami is a crime filled "Oasis" and that random crime runs rampant. At least in Detroit, crime is really centered only in the bad neighborhoods and not really where most tourists tend to go.

Daniel_T

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

yeah, I don't feel any fear in Detroit, but I really think twice about Miami due to all the crime. Yeah it might be concentrated in certain parts, but people make it sound like ALL of Miami is a crime filled "Oasis" and that random crime runs rampant. At least in Detroit, crime is really centered only in the bad neighborhoods and not really where most tourists tend to go.

Daniel_T

It's not really where tourists go in Miami either. It's this forum. You stand a fair change of getting your car broken into in Miami Beach or an area like that, but you can mostly stay out of the bad areas. "Strange" is right though because there are way more bad areas than good ones. It's easy to get lost in some areas though. Broward County crime is mostly centered in the bad neighborhoods, you stay out of Pompano, the crappy side of Hollywood, Oakland Park and W. Lauderdale and even with recent increases in crime, your still fine. It's statistically dead on center average. Palm Beach County is starting to get more random crime, as shown in the recent armed robbery/murder in an upscale mall parking lot, and a rash of violent robberies in upper middle class areas around PBC as well as a serious increase in gang activity. 110 confirmed. Still, there are plenty of safe areas in PBC where crime can be avoided.

[Daniel_T]

Thanks. I heard about that robbery/murder at the mall in Boca Raton. The mother and young daughter shot to death. That's just crazy. I'll think about coming to Miami to visit and see if I like it. I want to make sure it's not a waste of money coming to visit and not enjoying myself