Why Havana is Ranked One of the Fastest Growing Cities (And Why You Should Care, Even If You Hate Plans)

well, if you’re asking why havana keeps popping up in lists of ‘fastest growing cities’ like some overambitious influencer at a party, let me tell you-it’s not because they’ve invented a secret sauce or anything. it’s more like, they’re just really good at showing up. like that one friend who always shows up late but never fails to bring snacks. cuba’s golf swing here is decent now, yeah. and havana? it’s like the city version of a stand-up comedian who’s terrible at comedy but somehow keeps getting booked.

why does it matter? because if you’re the type who thinks ‘growth’ means skyscrapers or overpriced avocado toast, you’re missing the point. havana’s growth isn’t about trapping souls in glass towers. it’s about adaptation. like how my ex tried to fix a leaky faucet with duct tape and ended up magnetic to plumbing stores. the numbers back this up. cuba’s gdp growth hit 5.2% last year-that’s insane for a place that still sells ‘old’ things like vintage typewriters at flea markets. and havana is the attendee at this party everyone forgot to RSVP to. tech startups? yes. they’re popping up like weeds in a lawn where the sprinkler broke. rent? laughably low. a one-bed in jardines can cost you less than your monthly netflix bill. job market? it’s a gold rush for freelancers, remote workers, or anyone who hasn’t been weaned off the idea of living for less than $1,000 a month.

*malecón? that’s not just a seawall. it’s a metaphor. the 20-kilometer stretch where locals eat cheap sandwiches while kids skateboard and tourists take selfies. it’s where growth feels tangible. no, it’s not hyper-modern. but that’s the point. it’s growing in a way that doesn’t erase its soul. yet.

let me clarify the safety narrative because some people here act like it’s a hostel shooter’s paradise. sure, be aware. but compare it to miami or london. havana’s crime is more about petty stuff-pickpockets on the bus, scams at the malecón. nothing that a $5 anti-theft backpack can’t mitigate. and if you’re from a ‘first-world’ country, you’re probably overthinking it. last i checked, the main threat here is the 90% humidity making your hair stick to your neck.

rent is a prank, right? yes. absolutely. but here’s the twist: low rent doesn’t mean you’re stuck in a crumbling apartment with rats. no. people here fix things. they’re adaptive like that. i’ve lived in a brutalist building with a view of the sea for $300 a month. the landlord doesn’t care if your sink leaks or your A/C is a toaster. he’ll just shrug. and honestly? i respect that. it’s like living with a friend who doesn’t care about your decor but always brings better beer.

café la bicicleta? that place is a cornerstone. burnt coffee? sure. but the energy? unmatched. it’s where digital nomads sip espresso while arguing about whether cuban cigars are overrated. i’ve seen debates turn into dance parties. it’s chaotic. it’s real. it’s growing because people stick around. they don’t just pass through like tourists figments in a instagram reel.

weather? today, the sky’s basically a giant sauna. 95 degrees, humidity that could make a t Rex sweat. but here’s the thing: you don’t need to escape it. in fact, you might as well lean into it. take a siesta in a park. swing on the malecón. the heat is a backdrop, not a villain. and if you’re short on patience, spanish bazaars are a 20-minute drive away. spend an hour haggling over spices in cienaga and you’ll forget the humidity.

now, the whispers. someone at a hostel swore by a local saying: ‘havana grows because it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.’ heard it drunk at a sipping shot. another rumor? that the tech boom is fueled by cuban diaspora in the us sending money here. which? probably both. i’ve seen startups get funded just by telling a good story. and people stay because the cost of living is so low. you can afford to fail here. which is terrifying and freeing at the same time.

ghosts or ghosts?* neither. but there’s a vibe. like the city knows it’s not perfect but is too proud to care. last week, i met a local artist who painted murals of old-time Havana while sipping mtx. he told me, ‘this city isn’t growing because it’s perfect. it’s growing because it’s stubborn.’ makes sense. stubbornness is a currency here.

if you’re still on the fence, check these links: tripadvisor on havana’s quirks, yelp for cafes, or read the chaos at r/havananews on reddit. people there are arguing about whether the new art district is trendy or a hustle. classic havana energy.

and while we’re at it, don’t miss the maps:

. click around. see the neighborhoods. notice how the grit and growth coexist. it’s not curated. it’s not fake. it’s just… happening.

p.s. if you Instagram a photo of the bay and caption it ‘havana vibes,’ you’ll get at least 10 comments from people who moved here last year. that’s growth in action. messy, loud, and unapologetically real.

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