We are going to Miami the first week of January. Inquiries for stays in our price range near the center of town have not resulted in anything positive--either the rental is taken or I get no response to my request. We are now looking into inexpensive hotels which tend to be farther out. In looking farther afield, which neighborhoods should be avoided as dodgy? Thanks.
Neighborhoods to avoid when looking for a stay in Miami?
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What's your budget?
My knowledge here is not exhaustive, but I have spent some time in Miami and Miami Beach. Good and less good areas in Miami tend to vary, and often times, the better areas tend to cost more. It is probably worth spending a little more to stay someplace more desirable.
If you can afford to stay in Miami Beach, especially South Beach, that's ideal. The area is generally good and there's a lot to do. And public transportation is good here, with useful connections to Miami proper and the airport via bus.
In Miami itself, Coral Gables is especially good, as are parts of Coconut Grove. If you choose the latter, avoid staying west of the central shopping strip (essentially heading west of the Grand Ave./Macfarlane St./Main Hwy. junction is not good). Downtown Miami isn't the most attractive place to stay, but is more or less okay during the day -- not so much at night, though. Avoid most all areas north of Downtown such as Liberty City, Carol City, Overtown, and Opa Locka.
Found this thread online, and what I know of the info offered by poster "MIA24/7" looks accurate. There's more offered on neighborhoods to avoid beyond what I recommended, especially in the southwest part of the city:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080307072219AAyXFfg
YOUR BUDGET is going to be key here. I can think of several hotels right in downtown Miami I wouldn't hesitate to stay in INCLUDING several near Dodge Island (the cruise port) that some people wouldn;t be caught dead in but they may be too expensive for you.
There are lots of lower priced hotels, chain types, in Miami Beach..not in South Beach but certainly nearby and a lot closer to that action than Coral Gables or Key Biscayne or even parts of downtown.