Overtown Crime (Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables: to rent, hotel, homes)

[At1WithNature]

Hey I'll be in Miami next week for a couple of days before heading to Key West and was wondering what Overtown is like. That is where the airport is located, right? I plan on catching a hotel around there and checking out the Latina scene. I'm a mid 20's white male from chicago (southside) and was wondering what the crime is like in Overtown. I caught a tv show called the first 48 and i swear they were filming a murder in that neighborhood. do you think it was an isolated incident? thanks fellow city data posters.

[hatteras60]

Are you saying you saw a crime ridden ghetto on TV and decided to be adventurous and travel there? I want you to be honest and further explain your intentions for going to Overtown. No latinas in Overtown, maybe a few but I'm sure they're nasty. There is nothing in overtown besides crack heads on bicycles and gorillas with guns.

[At1WithNature]

I don't want to go there but isn't that the neighborhood the airport is in? I don't want to rent a car to find a nicer area but maybe I should. My only intentions to go to overtown are simply because I am under the impression that is the neighborhood the airport is in. or am i wrong? where are the latinas? thanks.

[hatteras60]

Airport is about 5-6 miles due west of Overtown. The Latinas are everywhere (literally) except for black neighborhoods. Go to South Beach if you have never been to Miami. There are plenty of tourist signs so you won't get lost. There's no point in you getting lost on Miami's mainland jungles.

[FLGulfcoaster]

Overtown is one of the historically black neighborhoods of Miami. It used to be rich in culture and people flocked their for entertainment. Then during the 60's two interstates were constructed right through the neighborhood which caused a lot of people to move. It used to have around 40,000 people, today it has 10,000.

It still is a mostly African-American neighborhood but it is plagued with one of the highest drug use and murder rates in Florida. You really shouldn't venture into Overtown if your not familiar with it, especially if you are a tourist. If you want to check out the Latin scene and have fun while doing it Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, and Little Havana are great for that.

[Mcsmith0210]

Overtown is what I see outside my window every night- and let me tell you- if you are looking for trouble- go there. I have myself been pulled over about 50 times in the last year just for driving through there after dark. Its not a place you want to explore if your from out of town. You will get robbed- or jacked- I know everyone is a "tough guy" lately- but simple fact is you will get robbed or worse- killed. Check the stats before you wander out of the beach. They are looking for people they dont know- and there are enough street soldiers there to handle you. Believe me.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Mcsmith0210

Overtown is what I see outside my window every night- and let me tell you- if you are looking for trouble- go there. I have myself been pulled over about 50 times in the last year just for driving through there after dark. Its not a place you want to explore if your from out of town. You will get robbed- or jacked- I know everyone is a "tough guy" lately- but simple fact is you will get robbed or worse- killed. Check the stats before you wander out of the beach. They are looking for people they dont know- and there are enough street soldiers there to handle you. Believe me.

He is from the Chi. Overtown doesn't even come close to comparing to the Robert Taylor Homes on Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicago. With that said, I wouldn't want to spend the night in Overtown unless I had someone there I knew (specifically family).

Like others have said, maybe spend the night on South Beach. Might be a bit pricy but its something worth seeing at least once.

[Migsly]

South Beach doesn't look wholesome to me either.

[Dr_Rico]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

Hey I'll be in Miami next week for a couple of days before heading to Key West and was wondering what Overtown is like. That is where the airport is located, right? I plan on catching a hotel around there and checking out the Latina scene. I'm a mid 20's white male from chicago (southside) and was wondering what the crime is like in Overtown. I caught a tv show called the first 48 and i swear they were filming a murder in that neighborhood. do you think it was an isolated incident? thanks fellow city data posters.

As previously said, the airport is not near O-Town. That said, you don't want a motel near the airport, either. Unless you like Dog racing. Oh, wait...that stopped. Anyway, grab a cab or shuttle and head to a place where folks your age hang out. Stay nearby. Coconut Grove (especially Thursday nights for the University crowd), South Miami near UM, South Beach...

DR

[♥♥PRINC3Ss♥♥]

No, the airport is not in overtown. That area is more like the flagler area/little havana. You can check some "latina" scene there but like someone said it might not be your age group. You should check the other places that have been recommended.

And no, overtown is not a warzone. It's very dangerous, but as a white hispanic female I have driven there at night several times and I'm still alive. You need to use your common sense anywhere you go in Miami, even in the nice areas.