Little Havana for single moms?

[Yami]

since i last posted here, i have been getting more info in regards to Miami. I am planning a weeks vacation in Jan to Miami, just to take a look around and get a feel for it. i know its not a long time but that's all i can really afford after the xmas shopping . i was reading other threads here and the info you guys provide are very helpful. I've noticed that you guys mentioned Little Havana, as a nice place with decent apt rentals. as you might remember(or not) I'm a single mother of a 5yr old, Spanish speaking and with a background in hotels, with that said, the questions are; Is Little Havana a decent enough place for a single mom? are the public schools decent? how bad would the traffic be from there to south beach supposing I have a job there? what is the rent range? do you think they would rent a studio to a parent/child? i don't need much space, the more $ i can save until i get my feet wet would be great thanks in advance for the info Yami

[Christy]

Hi Yami,

Little Havana is cheap, but I wouldn't describe it as "nice". South Point Elementary School (in the South of Fifth section of South Beach) is a great school and there's a decent number of studios available in South Beach. They won't be as cheap as Little Havana, but if you look around you should be able to find something reasonable.

[Doug]

I don't think the schools will be great down there, but probably okay. For great schools, you'd go to Coral Gables or Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay. For cheap, Little Havana works. You'd be about 20 minutes from South Beach, so it's not a bad commute.

[Matt Meltzer]

Yeah, LH is very working class, a little run down, but certainly not bad. Not all that nice either. And the schools there are not good. The drive to SoBe is actually like 15 minutes, if you live close to the freeway. The studios there are very inexpensive, probably around $600 a month. But a lot aren't all that nice either. It's really hit or miss in that area when you're looking at apartments. Some are complete dumps. Others are very modern and nice.

[Christy]

Hey Yami,

When you come down to visit for a week, take our City Tour of Miami. It's a great way to see the all of Miami, and a must for anyone planning on moving.

http://miamitourcompany.com/miami.html

PM me if you want to go and I can give you a coupon code for a 10% discount.

Matt, do you think Little Havana is safe enough for a single Mom?

[Dutchie]

Advice for taking the tour (which I did as well, really recommend it):

You will get a simplified map of the route, but it will help if you bring your own detailed map and study it before you board the bus. Mark rough areas of interest. Then keep a pen handy to mark points of interest when you pass them and keep notes or make brief statements in a recording device. The bus is comfortable enough to convert it into a makeshift office. If you have some GPS device, consider to put it in moving map mode, although I was able to reconstruct nearly all of the bus' route using Google Maps and StreetView afterwards.


Dutchie

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi Yami, welcome to the forums.

I personally would not recommend Little Havana for a single mom, but there are some surrounding areas that might work. I think the key would be to get a job first and then figure out where you want to live.

Also, Dade County Public School is on the 'choice' system. Moving to one neighborhood doesn't guarantee your kid will get into a school nearby.

[Matt Meltzer]

There are plenty of single moms there. I had them as neighbors in both buildings I lived in.

[Yami]

Sorry for the delay in response, working overnights and dealing with a kid in school takes a lil toll on the body , need my beauty sleep lol.

anyways i would like to thank all of you, oyu guys have been very helpful. @ dutchie, thank you for your advice about the tour.

I would def take the bus tour to get acquainted with the areas. @ Chrissty, you mentioned that the schoold in SoFi are very good, how is the rent? i really dont want something that its going to kill my pocket until I'm sure i can afford it.


thanks once again, andf would def keep you guys posted.

trying to get the move done in the summer so wish me luck

[Maria de los Angeles]

hi Yami, welcome back! Yes, beauty sleep is important!

Check the Dade County Public School System website. Living next to a school doesn't guarantee your kid will get in it. Applications for schools are due in mid-January.

Read more here: http://www.greatschools.org/florida/...ublic-Schools/

[Matt Meltzer]

Rent in SoFi is quite high. One of the highest rents in the city, actually. There are more-affordable places there, but it's def a place where rent will be making a major dent in your wallet.

[Yami]

thank you Maria and Matt for the info

[Mario]

Try the Coral Way- East Gables area. Schools in that area are a bit better.

[Yami]

Going to Miami for a week, this following week, rented a car, got some maps! Wish me luck, with God's help, I'll be moving in the summer!!!!

[Carlos Miller]

Keep us posted. Don't let the others scare you from Little Havana. It's working class but it's decent.

Most people who come on these threads are seeking the glitz and glamor of Miami, so we steer them away from Little Havana.

But it sounds as if your priorities are finding a job and taking care of your daughter and that can be done while living in Little Havana.

The best thing to do when considering a place is checking out your neighbors. You'll have a lot of viejitas in the area, which is not necessarily a bad thing because they keep an eye on things (including your personal life so they can gossip).

[Maria de los Angeles]

Good luck, Yami! Let us know how it goes. Carlos makes a good point.

[Yami]

Lol, thanks Carlos, yeah I'm still going to check it out, I live in the bronx, I doubt that lil Havana is worst lol. Btw is a son , I'm so excited I can't wait . N the viejitas are a plus, maybe o e can be a babysitter . Maria, I will def keep u guys updated, I'm love this forum, all of u guys are so helpful. I honestly didn't think the move was going to be possible until I found u guys . Now I'm all for it lol. Ready to pack and move, or just move lol

Thankvu all for all the info!


Yami

[Carlos Miller]

I got the impression that you're a street smart New York girl, so Little Havana is not going to faze you. It's definitely more authentic than South Beach.

[Matt Meltzer]

For the record, I really liked living in LH. Would probably be where I'd move back to if my situation ever changed. And the viejitas are all characters, very entertaining. You'll love it.

[Yami]

Definitely won't faze me, I have friends that have lived in Miami, and they say te worst parts of Mia, doesn't compare to here lol, we will see.

My main concern is the school issue for my son, but I'm staying positive that everything is going to fall in place. I'm very positive that I'll fid a job, I have an associate's degree in hotel management, n more than 5 yrs experience, 4 as a supervisor. I believe I will be ok in that regards.

Will keep all of u posted, wish me luck,

N btw its very cold here in NY