Miami investors: what are your thoughts on Little Haiti/Lemon City?

[Nat C.]

First let's start by defining Little Haiti. Wikipedia says the perimeters are:

54th St -71st St

East of I-95 and West of Biscayne Blvd

Miami is a red hot market right now but properties are still as cheap as chips in the ghetto that stretches out West including Brownsville and Liberty City- cos yeah, no one wants to risk getting shot for buying a cheap property.

Driving around the epicenter of Little Haiti last year was like being on an alien planet. I have lived in several 3rd world countries that looked like a fine kingdom by comparison.

However on the East side of Little Haiti bordering Biscayne there are some very nice streets. On other side of Biscayne is Bayside and Morning Side which is far more affluent.

I have a strong interest in Little Haiti. It's still affordable unlike Midtown and Wynwood and yet these trendy, sought after areas are only minutes away by car.

I recently bought a duplex on 57th St. The street itself is so well kept with everyone looking after their yards. My property is only 2 minutes walk from Biscayne. I got a bargain at 86K. I inherited the tenants who pay $1700 in total per month.

I think I'm going to buy more in this area. My question to Miamian's is what do you think of the future growth of Little Haiti as a whole? As the grab for properties in the design district intensifies, do you think this will spread up to Little Haiti in years to come?

[Kanise Kelley]

Little Haiti/Little River is on the city of Miami's Neighborhood Development Zone (NDZ) list as part of the Capital Improvement Program/5 year plan. So they're looking to revitalize it. I used to work for a different city so I don't know how Miami does their program. But in my city, once the city identifies a section as a place to rehab they offer incentives for businesses, developers, and investors to go in and make the neighborhood better. then the city goes in and upgrades the infrastructure; new roads, sewers, parks, community centers, etc. They also offer better programs for the residents. So what was once the slums becomes a nice neighborhood.

If Miami is anything like Norfolk, then getting in now might not be a bad idea. You can go to the city's website and see the development plans and projects for the area to better gauge.