Hialeah is a city steeped in Hispanic culture. Exiles fleeing from Cuba after Castro’s revolution in 1959 helped lay the foundation for the city’s growth. No U.S. city has a higher percentage of Cuban residents than Hialeah, as almost three-quarters of its population can trace its roots to the Caribbean island. A recent influx of Hispanics from Central and South America has increased the overall Hispanic representation. Among the population of 221,000 in this city just north of Miami, about 95 percent identify as Hispanic, and about 92 percent speak Spanish. Both are among the highest rates for U.S. cities. From its food to its art to its community celebrations, the city’s vibrant culture is always on display. “It’s lively, exciting and it might be a little loud, but some people enjoy that as opposed to a place that’s quiet and reserved,” says Adrian Ardila, a Realtor for The Keyes Company and Hialeah resident. “It’s a melting pot of Spanish cultures, and people feel comfortable here.”
You can head to the park to play baseball in Seminola.
Westhaven Heights has the traditional cuban window service a the local cafeteria.
There are still some street vendors around the Amelia District area.
Get your game on at Hialeah Park Casino near Hialeah Acres, FL.
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Cuban food is king, but Peruvian and other cultures are well-represented
Nowhere is the city’s culture more evident than in its dining scene. Molina’s Ranch, Morro Castle and El Rey De Las Fritas are highly rated restaurants serving up Cuban delicacies. Peruvian, Puerto Rican and Argentinian fare can also be found among the city’s diverse dining options. Rinconcito Peruano is a highlight. “Whenever my family comes in from out of town, they want to go there,” Ardila says. “It’s not a very fancy place, but the food is spectacular.” Food trucks, which are found throughout the city, offer even more variety for diners on the go. Fresco Y Mas, Presidente Supermarket and Sedano’s Supermarkets anchor the city’s grocery options. Sedano’s, the largest Hispanic-owned supermarket chain in the country, is headquartered in Hialeah. Big-box retailers and other stores can be found at several shopping centers.
The Coolest Food Truck Event is held every Saturday.
Westhaven Heights offers traditional lunches at the local Supermarket.
Los Tres Monitos is the default bakery in Westhaven Heights.
La Juliana Miami is a Hialeah local favorite for its pizzas.
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Don Quixote sculpture, Jose Marti Parade are cultural highlights
Hialeah is one of the largest employment sectors in Miami-Dade County, and while its blue-collar bona fides are part of the cultural fabric, officials have put a lot of effort into reshaping the city’s artistic spaces. These efforts are illustrated by murals and a variety of public art installations. The most noticeable recent addition is the 24-foot statue of Don Quixote, one of literature’s great dreamers, at the intersection of the Palmetto Expressway and 49th Street, the city’s western entrance. The sculpture is the work of Cuban-born artist Ramon Pedraza. “I enjoy seeing it every time I drive by. It makes you think, which is the point,” Ardila says.
The Leah Arts District, on the east side of town, began its revitalization in 2015. Industrial buildings have been transformed into joint workspaces, and many are graced by colorful murals. Pop-up community events such as block parties, workshops and concerts are held alongside the district’s collection of breweries and boutique shops. “It’s like a smaller version of Miami’s Wynwood,” Ardila says. The city also features the Garden of Arts, a free, open-air museum of murals and sculptures.
Monument Park, originally known as Cuban Culture in Exile Heritage Park, is a gated outdoor museum with monuments and plaques that honor those who created South Florida’s initial Cuban settlements. The city’s cultural identity is also represented in its signature community events. The José Martí Parade is held each January in honor of the Cuban poet and philosopher, and the annual Independence Day Celebration attracts more than 20,000 visitors to Milander Park for food, music and fireworks.
Don Quijote Plaza offers shaded sitting areas around a large bronze statue.
Cuban Culture is on full display at Monument Park in Hialeah.
The Leah Arts District can be found on the east side of town.
Aerial view of a main road in Palm Springs neighborhood in Hialeah.
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High income-to-rent ratio means families often share living spaces
The city’s median sales price is $415,000. Midcentury modern and ranch architectural styles are prominent throughout the city. And, as with much of South Florida, the Spanish Revival motif is common. Amelia District, Westhaven Heights, Hialeah Acres and Essex Village are popular neighborhoods that offer a mix of single-family homes, townhouses and condos. “There are a lot of in-law quarters, where bedrooms are converted,” Ardila says. “Hialeah has one of the highest income-to-rent ratios, so you find a lot of families sharing one space. But the city is starting to crack down on that.”
Single-family homes range from $300,000 to around $1 million for waterfront pool homes. Townhouses and condos range from the mid-$100,000s to the low $600,000s. Contemporary options include attached garages. The risk of flooding and wind damage is high, especially during hurricane season, and insurance rates are likely to reflect that. When nearly a foot of rain arrived in November 2023, streets flooded, and residents in low-lying areas were stuck in their homes. Mayor Esteban Bovo approved drainage improvement projects totaling $22 million for 2022 and $28 million for 2023.
Brand new developments are bringing new energy to the neighborhood in Essex Village.
Minimal traditional house with pool in Palm Springs neighborhood in Hialeah.
Contemporary single family home in Palm Springs neighborhood in Hialeah.
One of the lake is turquoise green
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Jose Marti MAST Academy is rated A-plus by Niche
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the third-largest district in the country, serving 332,000 students from more than 160 countries. It earns an A-minus from Niche. Most of the city’s schools are rated between B-minus and B-plus. Jose Marti MAST Academy, rated A-plus by Niche, is the city’s top institution. The public magnet school serves students in sixth through 12th grades. It features programs dedicated to marine science, and its U.S. Coast Guard JROTC program is one of only two in the nation. The district offers a choice program, so eligible students can attend schools outside of their geographic zone.
Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy is an A school with multiple specialty courses provided.
Hialeah middle school is a public school serving West Hialeah.
Flamingo Elementary School provides a safe and nurturing environment.
Hialeah Senior High School is a
public high school in West Hialeah.
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Amelia Earhart Park is a popular green space with lakes and other amenities
The city’s first major attraction was Hialeah Park, which opened in 1932 as the premier race track in South Florida. These days, the track is used sparingly for horse racing, but is still popular for gambling. It features a 33-table poker room, almost 900 slot machines and simulcast wagering. Long known for its lush surroundings, stunning architecture and iconic flamingos, the park landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Amelia Earhart Park, a 515-acre recreational complex anchored by five lakes, is a highlight of the city’s traditional recreational spaces. The largest lake is home to the Miami Watersports Complex, which offers an array of popular activities that includes wakeboarding and water skiing. There are also bike trails and a petting zoo. Bucky Dent Park features the city’s newest soccer pitch and is one of several smaller parks that provide fields for organized athletics and offer a range of activities aimed at youth. “Cotson Park is now fully loaded with Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles, and we just finished having a Super Smash Bros. competition with the kids,” says Lizandra Macias, a parks supervisor who has worked in the community since 2005. “We’re hoping that this programming does well, and we’re in talks to expand to other locations.”
Amelia Earhart Park has its own wakeboarding facility.
Head to Walker Park for pick up basketball in Seminola.
Amelia Earhart Park near Hialeah Acres, FL, is a fun place to go for a duck ride.
Seminola students are very into baseball and basketball after school.
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Numerous bus routes and three Metrorail stops
Driving is the most common form of travel in this busy city, and main thoroughfares are often clogged with traffic. State Road 826 can carry residents 5 miles south to Miami International Airport, while State Road 934 leads 12 miles east to Miami Beach; however, these trips can take more than 45 minutes during morning and evening rush hours. The Metrorail’s green line has three stations in Hialeah, and a trip into downtown Miami takes roughly 30 minutes. Buses run throughout the city, providing convenient access to local points of interest. Palmetto General Hospital and Hialeah Hospital serve the north and south sides of the city, respectively. Nearby Interstate 95 allows for convenient travel to Atlantic coastal destinations. Fort Lauderdale is about 25 miles north via I-95. Those who don’t mind driving through the most rural parts of the state can take Interstate 75 directly to the Gulf Coast.
Crime
Per official FBI statistics, Hialeah had 4,298 reported crimes in 2022 – 447 violent offenses and 3,851 property offenses. Compared to 2015, those numbers represent a 41% decrease in violent crime and a 31 percent decrease in property crime.
On average, homes in Hialeah, FL sell after 85 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Hialeah, FL over the last 12 months is $519,900, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
