Hialeah is a true community. Here, everyone fights for small, locally owned shops over the big chains. Because of its high Hispanic population and the history of the city being a hub for Cuban emigration after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Locals prefer to eat mom-and-pop restaurants over large franchises because, in doing so, they’re supporting the very foundation of their community. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at Publix, a Florida-based grocery chain, which decided it was better to modify one of its existing stores to appeal more to residents. They opened a “Publix Sabor,” which caters specifically to Latin American and Hispanic clientele, even changing what they carry and what services they offer.

One other notable thing about Hialeah is that it’s nearly impossible to outlive a bad reputation, and Hialeah is no exception. You can attribute it to racism, a lack of understanding, or just plain ignorance, but Hialeah does not deserve the rap it gets. You’ll hear from other Miami metro-area residents that Hialeah isn’t a place you want to be, that people are unfriendly, or that they’d never move there in their wildest dreams. While harsh, it’s also a completely undeserving way of looking at a city with a rich culture and history.

We highly recommend visiting Hialeah and staying in the community in a [**VRBO**](vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [**partnership with Expedia**](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Commitment to Local

LookyLOO Review of Hialeah

The thing you need to know about Hialeah is that it has a long history of residents immigrating to the US from Cuba and other Latin American countries. Because of this, the Spanish language is a vital part of daily life in Hialeah. Hialeah is often referred to as the second least diverse city in the US, due to its high Hispanic population. Cuban refugees, especially, are credited with shaping the culture and daily life in the city. There are tributes to Cuban culture everywhere including statues, local events, and more. 

Lifestyle 

Hialeah residents see a slightly higher unemployment rate than the US average. Attributing to the unemployment rates rising over the past year is the fact that the top industry, by job, in Hialeah is retail, and, arguably, a good amount of people were laid off due to the pandemic. On a higher note, the future job growth in Hialeah is expected to be slightly higher than the US average and Hialeah will likely continue to see both population and job growth over the next decade. The top industries behind retail are healthcare and social services as well as manufacturing.


Worklife

Hialeah is a quiet, slower town and the residents like it that way. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys are all close enough for when you feel a bit restless, but locals love coming back from a week of craziness to Miami’s best kept secret. Hialeah is a bit of a hidden gem and if you’re looking to relocate to the Miami-Dade area and don’t snag yourself a place in Hialeah, you might be kicking yourself in 10 years.

Hidden Gem

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**fourassedostrich**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Just moved to the area after being in Cutler Bay the last 10 years, and then childhood in Kendall. I honestly think it’s pretty chill; I’m not fully bilingual but I don’t feel it any more Spanish than Cutler Bay, just without the African American population for the most part. I moved to what I guess is the “good part” of Hialeah which is West/Miami Lakes. Traffic sucks but then again we’re seeing gridlock in Homestead at this point, so it is what it is. Geographically the location is awesome too; I’m close to anything in Broward and traffic going South to Kendall/Cutler Bay Area is never too awful. Overall I’m pleased so far

For more reviews of what living in Hialeah is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/san-francisco/reviews).




Reviews of Hialeah from Locals

For being so close to Miami, Hialeah feels like a true suburb. It’s one of the most densely populated areas in the US that doesn’t have any high-rise buildings within city limits. That makes the area really feel like a true Florida suburb, flat with a little too much concrete. Keep in mind that Hialeah, from above, is a weirdly shaped, isosceles triangle of a city spanning from the Everglades in the Northwest to the Miami airport in the Southeast, so be aware when you’re house hunting!


Neighborhoods

Young families who are looking to get out of Miami but not too far out of Miami are going to love Hialeah. You can get a great home for a low price, stay close to Miami, but enjoy some peace and quiet on your days off as well! PS you’ll wonder how you ever called any Miami Cuban restaurant “authentic” once you visit!
-Veteran's Park
-Red and 65th Street


Young Families

Veteran's Park

Families with older kids are going to like the home prices in Hialeah, especially if you’re okay putting some work into a home. There are neighborhoods close to parks that may not have the most beautiful yards you’ve ever seen, but they’re fixer uppers with a lot of history and character!
-Seminola 
-E 65th by Amelia Earhart Park
-Hialeah Gardens


Established Families

Seminola

Few states attract retirees like Florida and Hialeah pulls in its fair share for those who want to be near Miami but also save some $$$. It has a beautiful 515-acre park for fishing, picnics and general meandering. Plenty of shopping and pretty much year-round warm weather seal the deal. 
-Bonterra

Retirees

Bonterra

Hialeah

**fourassedostrich**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Just moved to the area after being in Cutler Bay the last 10 years, and then childhood in Kendall. I honestly think it’s pretty chill; I’m not fully bilingual but I don’t feel it any more Spanish than Cutler Bay, just without the African American population for the most part. I moved to what I guess is the “good part” of Hialeah which is West/Miami Lakes. Traffic sucks but then again we’re seeing gridlock in Homestead at this point, so it is what it is. Geographically the location is awesome too; I’m close to anything in Broward and traffic going South to Kendall/Cutler Bay Area is never too awful. Overall I’m pleased so far

**flyymelii**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Grew up in Hialeah and there is definitely no place like it. You can get everything you need from tires to window tints to authentic Cuban everything. Traffic is bad because of the large population, but I think Allapattah has worse drivers. As a Colombian growing up you definitely felt the heavy Cuban influence everywhere. My mom still lives there and while I wouldn't mind living there again, it's not my first choice.

**FamosoReyProduction**
10mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Dear The Gays,

Hialeah is a very beautiful and very wonderful city. People who are complaining about it I would not trust. They probably do not spend any time here and just drive by on the highway. First of all, you can eat the best food for very little money. Sarussi is one of the best sandwich places in Dade. And very near it is Barbie Bakery which has the best pastelitos. Very much better than anything you will find in the supposedly fancy places such as Coral Gables that you will also pay an eye for.

Second there are very many families here and unlike many other places you actually know your neighbor and people take care of each other. In 2011, somebody was trying to break into my house when I was in Disney World for my granddaughter’s birthday. But because I have neighbors who care, they hit this man with a palo de trapear until he is bleeding and he ran away. If I had lived in a supposedly fancy place like Coconut Grove, my house would have been robbed and nobody would have cared. They would just make complainings on Next Door.

People who complain about Hialeah are probably the kind of peoples who are bad neighbors and are on Next Door instead of saying hi.

Hialeah, Florida

All Ways Lead To Hialeah

Looklyloo Score: 84

Reviews

What's it like to live in Hialeah?