COMMENT BY
Been there from Homestead, FL
COMMENT ABOUT PLACE
Homestead, FL
COMMENT
People are so rude here.
I moved to Homestead in 1980. I was 10 years old. I stayed until hurricane Andrew in 1992, but since I still lived in the area I found myself visiting with friends that I grew up with almost weekly. I finally moved away from Florida in 2002. I have never looked back. Every negative comment I have read here only scratches the surface. Crime, drugs, prostitution, have always been apart of Homestead. Many nights I remember falling asleep to the sounds of gunfire, sirens, and then helicopters. I lived in what might have been considered a lower middle class neighborhood (Avocado Villas), but we were lucky enough to have a low income housing project right down the street. The West Homestead Projects. I recently came across this website and took the time to register so I could give my two cents on this issue.
From 1980 to 1992 Homestead was just a small town that was dumpy and rundown. After 1992 it went to a whole new level of poverty. Calling it a third world country is accurate. Before writing this I took a stroll around town on google earth using street view.
Vacant lots today in 2012 were once houses and buildings in my youth. Hurricane Andrew destroyed many locations that are still empty today. People have always been rude to each other, It's a way of life there. Even if you live in the Redlands you will see the trashy parts of Homestead, Goulds, Naranja lakes( did they ever rebuild), Perrine Cutler Ridge and let's not forget Florida City. Just looking at the rotten stuff on your way home to your quiet little place in unincorporated Dade county will give you the sense that you are surrounded by all a hardworking person might find offensive.
The frustration of working hard to have a nice house and a safe place to raise children is always there when you drive home and see people out at all hours and spray paint on every palm tree, as well as all the trash by the road side and in peoples yards.
Crossing all language and race barriers is that frustration. Either you are living in the low income areas affected by all that you see, or you are driving through it still being affected by all you see. It's better to move away if you live there or not move there at all.