Any FReepers in Miami? Need advice on good and bad areas to stay asap

vanity

[penelopesire]

Can any FReepers in Miami area let me know how safe the downtown area is and the metro-mover? Should they use cabs or is the metro-mover safe?

My son is going tonight (last minute) to watch the game tomorrow with a friend. He is a grown man(mid twenties), so I don't want to say too much other than watch out and keep your wits about you,etc. But I was reading about the 'good and bad areas' online and some said it was dangerous and others said it was fine. All the sites about 'good and bad' neighborhoods online are so PC...I don't know what to believe. They are staying at a reputable hotel chain downtown near the riverwalk, but it looks very close to 'Little Havana', but not knowing the area, it's hard to tell. I hate Miami ever since almost getting mugged there in college.

I am sure it has changed...but for the better or worse..I don't know.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Harold Shea]

Took an ex-gf back home to Hollywood once,Liberty City

was a scary Amish enclave a long time ago...shudder

Sounds like you know what kinda place your going into

I`m sure you`ll get some good advice on your trip

[Dr. Scarpetta]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

I actually don’t make a reservation without checking Trip Advisor and reading comments from other travelers about hotels.

[raybbr]

I’ve “hated” Miami and vowed never to go anywhere near there when one time we were at Miami airport and I discovered they made announcements about flight in spanish FIRST and then in English so all the hispanics could rush to the next gate to get the seats on a cancelled flight.

[Brandonmark]

I don’t like to give people travel advice, but as far as I’m concerned, Miami is just like any other big city where common sense should be utilized. I used to live in Miami, was recently there for a month on business, and have several relatives that have lived there for many, many years. The areas to stay away will be obvious (e.g. Liberty City & Overtown have long been breeding grounds for ghetto-dwellers). I spent some time in Little Havana and enjoyed the food and drinks there. The Metrorail and People Mover can be very convenient to get around downtown. I can say I never felt threatened, but also stayed alert and aware of my surroundings.

[Forgotten Amendments]

Miami is the greatest city in America. I envy him! Enjoy!!!!!

[NeverForgetBataan]

If he’s a Mavs fan he better pack one of those white shirts all the Heat fans wear, so that he can get out of the area
alive... after Dirk an company show LeFraud and D whine how to close a game.

[penelopesire]

Thanks you for your input. I knew about Liberty City but hadn’t read much about Overtown. I plan to email him a list of no-go zones just to be sure. I also advised him not be too brazen about being a Mav’s fan outside of the arena.

[Goldwater Girl]

The Riverwalk actually covers a lot of territory downtown- more than a mile, I think. But if his hotel is near Bayside, he should be ok. The area further away from the bay can be problematic. The arena where the Heat play is right across from Bayside. It really isn't near Little Havana, but Miami-Dade County is majority Hispanic, so that doesn't matter. Only the gangs are criminals- the vast majority of the Hispanic residents are good, decent people.

The downtown of every big city is dangerous, more so when hooligans get swept up in sports matches. Local law enforcement knows that and will be increased to try to handle potential problems. But obviously caution is needed.
I don't like mass transit at night- especially to a championship game. If it was my son, I'd advise a cab.
GG

[penelopesire]

Thank you both for your input. I did check out trip advisor about the hotel they were staying in downtown. It was a mixed bag, so it’s hard to tell. He is a pretty responsible young man, so I don’t worry too much..just the normal mom jitters...lol!

[penelopesire]

Yep..he’s a Mav’s fan...flying there from DFW with a friend. I already warned him but didn’t think to tell him to pack a neutral tee to get out of the stadium. Thanks..that will go in my text to him before he leaves tonight.

[Red Badger]

Stay away from Liberty City.

[Forgotten Amendments]

LeBron’s prob is that he's a 260 pounder playing 44.5 MPG! Most guys that size are centers, loafing up court to post up. They have him going nose-to-nose with guards with no rest and wonder why he's out of gas in the 4th quarter????

This reminds me of ‘75. The superior Bullets used about 6-7 guys. The Warriors had a 10-11 man rotation. By the 4th quarter, the Bullets were done.

[penelopesire]

Thanks GG! His hotel is near the convention center and the river, so I did advise a cab a bit ago since the game starts at 8:00 and will be over pretty late.

[Red Badger]

Miami, Ohio?.......

[Forgotten Amendments]

Liberty City/Overtown/Biscayne Blvd aren’t on anyone’s itinerary anymore. Unless he’s looking for more than the game;) Don’t worry. Miami rocks!

[Brandonmark]

Hope he enjoys the game!

[penelopesire]

His hotel is very near the Biscayne Blvd, but it looks like that road is almost unavoidable to move north to the arena. I hate when I get like this(worried). I try my best to act all calm when he springs stuff like this on me. If he knew I was on FR talking about it right now, he would kill me....LOL!

[cmsgop]

I hear Overtown is lovely this time of year

[Vendome]

Hmmmm....

For a gay old time you could stay at the W in South Beach....