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Beaches, restaurants, bars, and clubs make Miami one of the most exciting places to live on the East Coast. Aside from food and fun, the city is well-known for its roots in Latin culture. Miami has so much to offer its visitors and residents, and if you are thinking about moving to Miami, here's what you can expect from this world-renowned, Sunshine State city.
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Miami features over 800 beautiful parks, including two national parks and endless stretches of pristine coastline. Picnicking, running, kayaking, fishing, boating, and swimming are popular activities in Miami. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, you'll love living in Miami. The parks serve as excellent venues for biking and nature observation, and many Miami residents enjoy going to events in these parks year-round. If you plan on moving into an apartment, you'll want to ensure there is storage available for your kayak, bike, and other outdoor equipment. If you don't have space, there are countless local businesses that offer these items for rent.
Outdoor fun isn't the only perk of living in Miami. If you decide to move to Florida, you won't have to pay state tax, but be prepared to file a federal tax return each year. State sales tax is six percent with exceptions for medicine and groceries. While Miami doesn't charge extra sales tax, you will pay an additional one percent local sales tax on all purchases in Miami-Dade County.
Unsurprisingly, Miami is one of the hottest destinations for tourists and spring-breakers. During peak times, you can expect to see increased traffic, busy beaches, and crowded parks. January through April is peak tourist season in Miami, so be prepared to leave earlier for work and plan your activities around traffic during these months if you decide to move to Miami. Plan your move to Miami for the end of the year so you can avoid tourists and check out all the local attractions without paying peak season rates.
If you decide to live in Miami, you'll never want for new places to eat. Hundreds of restaurants in Miami open their doors each day to visitors and residents to serve them the best cuisines in the country. No matter what your taste buds fancy, you can find it in Miami. The city has every type of food you can think of, from Asian to American, but it's most well-known for Cuban food. Expensive restaurants aren't the only places to sample the best of Miami's culinary expertise. You can savor the heart of Miami at local diners, cafes, and food trucks without breaking the bank.
Next to food, Art is one of Miami's most significant cultural highlights. Art Deco architecture is all over Miami, and the city's design district is by far the most popular attraction. After moving to Miami, be sure to make time to check out Art Basel, where modern and contemporary work from all over the world is showcased. The art district can be explored unguided, but the best way to experience Miami's architecture is by taking a group tour.
Florida is known for hurricanes, and Miami has seen severe storm damage in the past. If you decide to move to Miami, you'll need to create an emergency plan that you can implement in the event of a hurricane. Even after hurricane season is over, flooding is always a concern for Miami residents. Because the weather in Miami can be unpredictable and dangerous, you may have to evacuate your home, so you should be prepared for this if you decide to move to Miami. Keep emergency supplies on hand so you can stay safe during storms and pay attention to severe weather alerts. Miami is no stranger to extreme heat, so you may need to start drinking more water and wearing sunscreen every day after moving to Miami, especially during the summer.
While you may assume city-living means ditching your car, this isn't the case if you plan on moving to Miami. Unlike New York City, Miami doesn't offer an efficient public transportation system throughout the city. You may be able to take the transit to some destinations, but you'll most likely need a car to get to your office, the gym, and the grocery store. Also, be prepared for a longer commute if you are moving from a low-traffic area. Miami is notorious for heavy traffic, so allow yourself plenty of time to get to work.
Many of Miami's residents speak Spanish and English, so don't be surprised to hear it spoken wherever you go. Knowing the basics of Spanish will make it easier to get to know the city and the people, and you'll be able to understand what everyone around you is talking about once you've been exposed to the language for a few years. Living in Miami can be a culturally immersive experience. Even if you don't speak a lick of Spanish now, you can become fluent in no time with a little bit of daily practice.
Any local will tell you that restaurants, theaters, bars, and office buildings are freezing inside. Miami's sweltering temperatures call for frosty interiors to help people cool off. If you don't want to spend your dinner date or movie night shivering in the cold, be sure to bring a jacket or sweater to combat the icy indoor temperatures. Of course, you'll be dying to peel your jacket off after taking a few steps back outside into the oppressive Miami heat.
Many Miami residents have to work two jobs to be able to pay their bills. Living in Miami prompts you to live a certain lifestyle, and many people choose to keep up with that. While the average cost of an apartment in Miami is $1,707 per month, rentals in less expensive parts of the city can be found for around $1,000 a month. The key to making it in Miami is to live within your means and find a job before you relocate so that your expenses will be covered. If you can't afford to go out clubbing, shopping, and dining every weekend, don't feel pressured. There are plenty of low-cost activities you can enjoy in Miami that are healthier for you and your wallet.
If you love snow, warm beverages, sweaters, and roaring fireplaces, Miami is not the place for you. However, if you dream of living in a place with endless summers where shorts and sandals work year-round, you've come to the right place. Miami's winters are warm and mild, with low humidity and temperatures that rarely dip below 70 degrees. If you're looking for heaven, November through April in Miami may be the closest thing.
Did someone say rain? No, the weatherman probably didn't tell you it was going to rain this afternoon, but you just arrived back to work after lunch drenched from head to toe. Rainstorms in Miami are unpredictable, heavy, and short. Always carry an umbrella, and don't be surprised if your plans get momentarily rained out. You may want to carry a towel in your car in case you get caught outside in the downpour.
Miami is the poster child for the saying, "It's five o'clock somewhere." If you love to party hard, there's no better place to live than Miami. Many clubs are open until 5 a.m., and one is open 24/7 every single day of the year. When you live in Miami, the fun never has to stop. If you love to work hard and play hard, you may find that you fit in quite nicely as a Miami resident.
Miami is the place to be if you love community, friendship, and celebration. From colorful festivals to crowded clubs, people of all backgrounds enjoy celebrating and gathering together in this vibrant city. Miami culture is loud, opinionated, and expressive. While this can be a shock to some, you will find that it's very easy to make meaningful friendships in Miami, and there's always something fun to do with your crew.
Speaking of friends, it's always a good idea to keep them close by, especially if you are out in certain areas of the city at night. Unfortunately, enjoying the thrill of the nightlife comes with some risks. You should avoid walking alone at night, especially if you are new in town and unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Some neighborhoods in Miami are best to avoid altogether, so be sure to cross them off your list when searching for a place to live.
Miami is an excellent place to live for those who love excitement, community, and warm weather. While the cost of living is high, Miami offers countless attractions for residents to enjoy, making it one of the most enjoyable places to live in Florida.
Top-Rated Miami Colleges
1. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL2. College Of Business, Miami, FL3. Miami Dade College, Miami, FL4. Barry University, Miami Shores, FL5. Florida International University, Miami, FL6. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL7. Miami International University of Art and Design, Miami FL8. St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, FL9. Florida National University, Hialeah, FL10. Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL
Top-Rated Miami Schools
What Salary Do You Need To Live In Miami?
A good salary in Miami falls somewhere between $65k to $75k. This is approximately $26k to $36k more than the median income for a single person which is at $39,000.
Is Miami A Good Place To Live?
The city of Miami enjoys a desirable temperate climate. It’s sunny on most days, and you get to live in close proximity to the beach. The fact that there’s no state income tax is also a steal deal and gives Miami plus points for affordability. The city has an interesting and exciting coastal town energy, and is cosmopolitan in nature. A downside is that it can get extremely touristy so if you choose to live here, make sure you’ve found a side of Miami that is residential and fits your needs.
What Are The Highest Paying Jobs In Miami?
The highest paying jobs in Miami don’t really focus on one industry, instead there’s several industries in which you can earn considerably well. Latin-American media companies, international finance corporations and jobs tied to the tourism industry have a good presence and pay higher in Miami.
Is Miami Cheaper Than New York?
The cost of living in Miami is dramatically lower than what it is in New York. The key player here is that Miami has no state income tax while the income tax in New York is among the highest in the nation. Housing is also much cheaper in Miami where the median value is at $317,700 while in New York it remains at $606,000, double the price.
Is Miami Bigger Than Atlanta?
As a metropolis, Miami takes the spot for having a bigger population. However, geographically, Atlanta has much more urban and metropolitan area. The urban area in Miami covers roughly 1,116 square miles while in Atlanta it covers 1,963 (though that’s not a vast difference). Speaking of population, Miami is at 6.1 million while Atlanta is at 5.9 million.
Is Miami Cheaper Than California?
If you put Miami against California across various aspects, you’ll find that Miami is much cheaper. Housing itself is drastically lower in Miami where the median value stands at $317,700 while in California it is at $624,977. Gas costs in Florida are $2-$3 a gallon while in California costs are slightly higher at $3-$4. Alongside simple things like gas and groceries, you would also save on tax in Miami since the state has no income tax.
Is It Better To Live In Miami Or Los Angeles?
Both Miami and Los Angeles vibe in the same way due to several similar aspects - both cities are coastal towns and enjoy temperate climatic conditions. The only major difference is that it’s much more expensive to live in Los Angeles than in the city of Miami. You’ll also find that job salaries are much higher in LA but that is mainly to compensate for the high cost of living. If you’re at a stage where you wish to save more and live a bigger lifestyle, the possibility of it becoming true is higher in Miami.
What Should I Avoid In Miami?
If you’re moving to Miami, something that you must keep in mind is that although it is sunny all year round, the city is prone to occasional hurricanes. Make sure that you avoid buying a house in a flood zone and opt for insurance if you’re going to live near the coast. Miami also doesn’t have the best reputation in terms of crime, so picking the right neighborhood is essential. Thoroughly research neighborhoods and avoid areas such as Little Haiti, Upper Eastside and Overtown that have a bad rep for crime.
Is Miami Safer Than NYC?
As per crime statistics, the crime rate in Miami is slightly higher than in New York. There are certain neighborhoods that you must avoid if you’d like to live safely in Miami and those are Overtown, Upper Eastside, Model City and Little Haiti.
Is Downtown Miami Safe To Live?
Downtown Miami is relatively safe; it is the urban core, active and full of life. The bustling financial district of Brickell is one of the safer neighborhoods here, alongside Coconut Grove and Pinecrest. The metro line also makes things convenient which is why Downtown is among the most desirable places to live in Miami.
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