Living close to Downtown Miami? (Coral Gables, Havana: apartments, condos, work)

[mdiggs1]

How is Little Havana for living? Is it a walkable neighborhood (grocery store, library, laundry, etc.). How is crime in the neighborhood, and is it safe to walk at night?

Also comment on the area just north of downtown? Same questions as for Little Havana.



Thanks for any info.

[kevinkagy]

Little Havana is pretty walkable. It's not a BAD neighborhood, but it's not the best either. It's a working class neighborhood made up of mostly immigrants from Cuba and Central America. Some much more desirable neighborhoods also close to Downtown is Coral Way, the area west of I-95 (Brickell), south of SW 8th St (Little Havana) and east of SW 27th Av (Coral Gables).

Another good neighborhood is Midtown north of I-395 (Downtown), south of I-195 (Design District- also a nice neighborhood) and east of Miami Av. Stay east of Miami Av, as the area due west of Miami Av can be shady.

Or you can always look in Downtown itself, there's a lot of really nice apartments and condos there as well as the more expensive Brickell. Hope that all helps, best of luck!

[illini84]

I would definitely stay away from Little Havana. That whole area is pretty bad (Overtown, Allapattah, Liberty City, etc.). kevinkagy offered some good alternatives. The Upper Eastside is also a nice neighborhood in that vicinity. Midtown/The Design District borders some rough neighborhoods, but if you live in the core of it or more towards Biscayne, you'll be fine. It's a pretty cool area actually.