Moving to Little Haiti? 7 Things You Need To Do Immediately!
Amit Bhuta
I use non-traditional marketing to inspire the most motivated buyers to pay the max for Miami luxury homes...
I use non-traditional marketing to inspire the most motivated buyers to pay the max for Miami luxury homes...
Get your daily dose of Afro-Caribbean heritage, historical landmarks, cultural hubs, Konpa dance music, and Kreyol conversations as you find a HOME within the vibrant community of Little Haiti, the perfect neighborhood to LIVE the American dream — with a side of plantains!
Welcome a tapestry of culture and community in Little Haiti, a 3.46 square mile neighborhood nestled north of Downtown Miami and adjacent to world-renowned Miami Design District, trendy mixed-use Wynwood, Midtown, and Upper Eastside neighborhoods.
Known for its strong Haitian heritage, colorful street murals, lively music scene, and authentic Caribbean cuisine, Little Haiti is an authentic reflection of Miami's cultural diversity, a warm home for those seeking the American dream alongside the PERFECT blend of everything to love about Magic City — world-class cuisines, nightlife, diversity, art, and history.
Not to mention that Little Haiti teeters on the brink of transforming from an "immigrant" community to the next "Capital of Cool" with its influx of contemporary art galleries, trend-setting eats, and residential and commercial developments, pairing perfectly with its revered collection of affordable real estate!
Safe to say, this growing neighborhood is on the road to becoming one of Miami's best live, work, and play districts, inviting anyone looking to establish roots amidst cultural experiences, artistic expressions, and a tight-knit community while being a few steps away from Miami's "magic!"
So, if you're already transitioning to be part of this burgeoning urban paradise, congratulations!
It's time to make this immersion as smooth and enjoyable as can be, and I'm here to help you make this POSSIBLE!
Here are 7 things you need to do IMMEDIATELY when moving to Little Haiti.
(1)
Leaping Towards The American Dream: Getting Your Little Haiti Utilities "Done And Dusted"
Are you moving to Little Haiti to seek and LIVE the famous American dream?
Well, before you can get the rest of your Little Haiti life started, you'll have to "activate" your home first, so let's get right to it, shall we?
First stop, your utilities!
To hook up your home to electricity, create or log in to your existing account at the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) website and apply for service at your new address, new or otherwise.
New account holders need to submit their Social Security, Driver's License, Social Insurance, or Tax ID number, the new service address, and the connection date, and existing FPL customers only need to advise the disconnection date (old address), re-connection date, and complete service address for a service transfer.
Aside from this, a deposit of $25 (minimum) and other initial set-up fees may be charged upfront, whether you're a new or existing customer.
Once you're done, get your natural gas service from providers like TECO Peoples Gas or Florida City Gas (FCG).
After confirming availability, you may submit the necessary IDs and connection date (new customer) or advise the disconnection date, the complete address of your new home, and your preferred service transfer date (existing customer).
Your deposit fees may be based on the home's square footage or equal to twice the average monthly bill, and you may need to settle a connection fee before the service connection.
And closing off your errands list is checking for water and sewer availability on the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer website.
Once confirmed, new customers must create an online account and deposit $50 for water, $50 for sewer, and a non-refundable $45 connection fee, and existing owners must also settle any outstanding balance before service transfer.
(2)
Tapping Into A Virtual World: 'Hooking Up' To Internet And Cable Services In Little Haiti
A house, no matter how beautiful, needs reliable internet service, especially since almost EVERYTHING can be done online — even your laundry and installing home security!
So, to survive the modern age of Technology (and your move to Little Haiti!), don't let your home get caught without a high-speed internet connection and premium cable service!
To uncover the best internet-cable bundles in Little Haiti, check esteemed service providers like Comcast Xfinity, and AT&T!
Once you have a provider and package in mind, apply for a new service by submitting your complete address and proper IDs online or in person at the nearest store, or if you're an existing Comcast or AT&T customer, request for a service transfer as soon as you settle any remaining balance on your account!
You'll also want to ask your provider if you need to settle deposits, activation/installation, and equipment rental fees upfront to have enough cash on hand.
Otherwise, don't be surprised if these charges are reflected on your first bill.
(3)
A Salute To The "Sunshine State": The Essence Of Your Florida Driver's License
Congratulations on your new Little Haiti home!
Now that you're "on the road" to settling in (no pun intended!), you'll want to make your Floridan residency "official" by getting your very first Florida ID — your Florida driver's license!
Aside from being a REQUIREMENT within 30 days of establishing residence, your Florida driver's license is one of the first (and quickest) IDs you can get to make your Little Haiti transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Not to mention that it's also your "green light" to drive on all Florida roads!
So, to start the process, visit the nearest Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) or any local office offering driver's license services and submit the necessary documents.
Click on the applicable residency status to know which documents to have on hand when you apply:
The initial Florida Class E license, including a learner's permit, is $48.00, a commercial driver's license (Class A) is $75.00, and an ID Card fee is $25.00.
For a complete list of driver's license fees, click here.
You'll also need insurance to title and register your vehicle(s) within ten (10) days of establishing residency (your #2 non-negotiable).
If you have a current or previous driver's license from another state, country, or jurisdiction, Drug and Alcohol courses, Class E Knowledge exams, and the Florida Driving tests may not be mandatory.
However, the Vision and Hearing test is still a must!
Meanwhile, if you already have a Florida driver's license, notify the DMV of your new address for an updated driver's license to avoid run-ins with the law.
(4)
Living While Learning: A Quick Guide To Little Haiti Schools
If you have school-aged kids in the family, another concern you may be having is finding a school in Little Haiti.
However, if I'm being honest, getting a premium education in Little Haiti won't pose a problem since you have a pretty massive collection in your hands, thanks to its ideal location within urban Miami!
In fact, aside from the educational institutions within its perimeter, you can choose a school from Little Haiti's neighboring communities, Midtown, Wynwood, Upper East Side, and even Downtown Miami!
We're talking about schools like Shadowlawn Elementary School, The Cushman School, Mater Academy of International Studies, Morningside K-8 Academy, Design & Architecture Senior High School, and iTech at Thomas A. Edison Educational Center — a diverse lineup of private, charter, and public schools from elementary to senior high!
So, if you want to do more research on schools around Little Haiti, click on Schools In and Around Little Haiti, or visit the Miami-Dade County Public Schools website to know the rest of your options!
And if you need childcare services during work hours, too, read our blog, Daycares in Little Haiti, to know which daycares are available near you!
(5)
Speaking Up For The Future: Love The Life You Live Through Voting
As if moving to a new city isn't enough, with all the hauling and unpacking you'll be doing, you have to deal with earning a spot within your new community, too.
And let me tell you, the latter will be an even more tedious task if you don't have voter registration!
You see, aside from being a civic duty, exercising your right to vote gives you a voice that COUNTS, not just within your community but also in your new city and the entire country!
So, if you're of legal age and a United States Citizen who meets all the requirements to become a registered voter (but still isn't one), submit your application with the proper IDs and documents through the Florida Department of State or the Miami-Dade County Elections Department online, by mail, or in person at the Elections Department or any Elections Branch office!
For other legal forms of identification and supplementary requirements, click here.
Any current and valid identifications with a photograph and signature (e.g., Florida Driver's License, United States passport, etc.) will suffice, so make your voter registration a priority as soon as you settle into your new Little Haiti home!
(6)
Standing Up For The Environment: Little Haiti's Vow To Mother Nature
Now that your Florida driver's license, voter registration, and utilities are sorted (whew!), it's time to start familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulations of your new community!
In Little Haiti, cleanliness and sustainability, as with the rest of Miami, are of utmost importance.
To ensure that everyone participates and abides by Little Haiti's sworn duty to the environment, the Little Haiti community, in cooperation with the City of Miami Solid Waste Department, has established several recycling and waste management programs, including different schedules for solid waste, "bulky" garbage, and recyclables, which can be found below:
- Garbage & Trash collection (twice a week)
- Free recycling collection (every other week)
- "Bulky" trash collection (once a week)
Failure to follow these waste management codes will result in a $500 fine or arrest.
For detailed information about schedules and fees in your area, visit the City of Miami Solid Waste Department or check with your HOA.
(7)
From The Caribbeans, With Love: Falling Head Over Heels For Little Haiti
Are you ready to spend the rest of your life in one of Miami's most culturally rich communities?
If you've done your research before moving to Little Haiti, you already know that your new community is a treasure trove of tourist spots, community events, art galleries, delicious cuisines, and monthly celebrations.
But have you taken the time to EXPERIENCE what everyone in Little Haiti is raving about?
If you haven't, it's high time you take a break from unpacking and explore the heart and soul of Miami's cultural diversity!
The Little Haiti Cultural Center, the bustling Caribbean Marketplace, Librerei Mapou, The Citadel Miami, and more — so many spots and sights to see and SO MUCH time in your hands!
So, for more information about your new home, Little Haiti, check out our blog, Explore Little Haiti, and curate the perfect Little Haiti adventure you'll cherish for a lifetime!
Miami's BEST Restaurants in EVERY Neighborhood
Check out the absolute BEST restaurants in every neighborhood of Miami, including the best...
Discover the Top Miami Neighborhoods with the Best Schools: A Comprehensive Guide for Homebuyers
Discover Miami's top neighborhoods and schools with our comprehensive guide! Find the perf...
Selling Your Home?
Who are we?
We are the ALL IN Miami Group out of Miami.
We are Colombian, Filipino, Cuban, German, Japanese, French, Indian, Syrian, and American.
We are Christian, Hindu, and Jewish.
We are many, but we are one.
We sell luxury homes in Miami, Florida.
Although some of our clients are celebrities, athletes, and people you read about online, we also help young adults find their first place to rent when they are ready to live on their own.
First-time buyers?
All the time!
No matter what your situation or price range is, we feel truly blessed and honored to play such a big part in your life.
