Article Overview:Pros & Cons of Living in Miami, Florida
Thinking about moving to Miami?
If so, youre in good hands.
Seems like a lot of people are interested in moving to Miami lately, but can you blame them?
Pros & Cons of Living in Miami | (shutterstock/pisaphotography)
Theres no denying that this vibrant city has a lot to offer!
If youre planning on visiting Miami before finalizing your decision,heres the best hotel in town.
If luxury is more your speed,this one cant be beat(pinkies up!).
Living in Miami | (shutterstock/lunamarina)
Miami is an international city through and through.
More than 70% of residents identify asHispanic or Latinoand the diversity spans the gamut.
From Cuba and Mexico to Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica and Colombia.
Living in Miami | (Shutterstock/lazyllama)
Theres no denying that these vibrant and colorful cultures have greatly influenced the fabric of Miami.
#2.
The lifeguards are highly trained in everything from CPR to reading the tides.
(shutterstock/Simon Dannhauer)
Also, dont you dare forget your sunscreen!
And no, not all sunscreen is created equal.
#3.
(Courtesy NPS)
Thankfully, getting constant sunshine is not a concern while living in Miami.
Heck, the city averages 250 days of sunshine per year!
In terms of climate, Miamis climate is billed as a tropical monsoon climate.
(shutterstock/Mia2you)
This means humidity will become a part of your daily life while living in Miami.
Mild and dry winters.
And let me tell you, being able to walk around in a t-shirt mid-January doesnt get old.
Living in Miami (Shutterstock/Gabriele Maltinti)
Ill cover tourist season in depth shortly.
#4.
Outdoor Recreation
If youre an avid water enthusiast, youre going to love living in Miami.
(shutterstock/Felix Mizioznikov)
I lightly touched on this earlier, but daily access to the beach is par for the course.
Is golf more your speed?
Well, theres 14 courses to choose from.
(Shutterstock/Fotoluminate LLC)
Locals Tip:If you love hiking, I suggest taking a day trip to Everglades National Park.
Its the third largest park in the contiguous United States and its only an hour drive from Miami.
Biscayne National Park is another great day trip!
#5.
Note, grocery food is exempt from the sales tax.
In terms of property taxes, the average property tax in Miami-Dade Country is1.02% of assessed home values.
But again, Im not an expert in this area (and dont pretend to be).
Find an accountant you trust and hold on to them as tightly as you did your high school ex.
Miami chooses to do so through a sales tax of 7% and property taxes.
Offering an impressive array of cuisines to choose from, the food scene is a cultural experience in itself!
Chefs from around the world run oceanfront restaurants, diners, small dives and food trucks.
in search of a calmer way of life.
Heck, the sandwich is worth moving to Miami for alone.
Youmusttry Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine to see what all the fuss is about.
Brick Oven Pizza and BBQ & Craft Company.
#7.
Good Job Market
One of the biggest draws of moving to Miami is the stable job market.
Miami is an international city, which means the travel and tourism industry thrives.
From real estate, manufacturing and trade industries to investment firms and large international banks.
Worth noting, the development boom in recent years has increased opportunities for contract work and construction-related jobs.
#8.
The Laid Back Lifestyle
Not mentioning the laid-back lifestyle of living in Miami is nothing short of criminal.
Heck, it was my biggest reason for moving to Miami.
Frankly put, I was burned out by big city living (looking at you, NYC).
By the same token, everything seems to start later in the evening than typical for other U.S. cities.
Invited to an 8pm dinner?
Plan to show up at 8:30 unless you want a lot of quality one-on-one time withe host.
#9.
Theres Always Something to Do
Miami offers a plethora of exciting entertainment options.
From theaters and art galleries to museums, festivals and concerts, its easy to find something to love.
Hosting a bevy of interesting festivals, locals have access to world-renowned musicians, fashion and films.
This one day fiesta draws more than one million visitors per year.
If you consider yourself a film connoisseur (pinkies up!
), dont miss the Miami Film Festival that takes place in March.
The festival showcases retrospective independent films with a special focus on Ibero-American film.
Moving to Miami with kids in tow?
#10.
Moving to Miami for Nightlife?
Miami is considered the secondbest American city for nightlife(after Las Vegas, naturally).
Theres no denying that the city comes alive after dark with deafening nightclubs and balmy rooftop bars.
Well, it might be a tie between that and the expense of a night out.
Locals Tip:Want to keep your friends around?
Dont make early morning plans during the weekends.
Bring a book it will feel less weird when the locals around you feign surprise.
The event highlights collections from more than 250 art galleries and features works from world-renowned artists.
Also double-check to check out the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
#12.
Ive had several interesting conversations that span the gamut.
Coffee is a daily affair, and the coffee culture in Miami is unlike anywhere else Ive lived.
Its turned into one of my favorite things about living in Miami.
#13.
Depending on where you live you might walk almost everywhere you oughta go on a regular basis.
Groceries, restaurants, entertainment, and more are all easily accessible by walking.
Miami scores 77/100 walkability rankingmaking it one of the most walkable major cities in the US.
Cons of Living in Miami
Its not all sunshine and rainbows in the Sunshine State.
As such, Id like to cover some of the cons of living in Miami.
#1.
But theres a reason for this.
Unlike the average Joe, these folks dont cringe when they see $20 avocado toast on the menu.
No, these people check their bank accounts for comfort when theyre feeling low.
Secondly, the city is a top tourist destination that sees around 24 million tourists annually.
Plainly put, Miami is a popular place and living in a popular place seldom comes cheap.
Youll need to make a decent living in Miami to enjoy all the city offers.
So factor that into your decision before moving to Miami.
For perspective, I currently pay $2,200 for a one-bedroom apartment downtown.
The real estate market is the key factor that drives up the cost of living in Miami.
The median home value is 30% higher than in other parts of the state.
Which brings us to the next point …
#2.
Well, Miami is no exception.
I mean, who wouldnt want to live in a place full of sunshine and sandy beaches?
#3.
I swear, owning a car while living in Miami will take 5 years off your life.
Heavy traffic and mind-boggling congestion while become a part of your daily life.
In addition to traffic, on-street parking is nearly impossible most days of the week.
Always account for 20 minutes minimum to find a parking spot, especially in the downtown core.
#4.
If youre unfamiliar with subtropical marine climates (lucky you), allow me to fill you in.
If youre curious, Miami ranks as the7th hottest cityin America during the summer season.
This is natures sweet spot and nature is worse than a jealous ex (sometimes).
#5.
To that end, always keep your eyes peeled.
#6.
High Rates of Homelessness
Like many other cities in America, homelessness is on the rise.
Frankly put, home values have skyrocketed and rentals have followed suit affordable housing has become an oxymoron.
But again, this issue isnt unique to daily life in Miami.
#7.
Making Friends is Challenging
Im reluctant to mention this aspect of living in Miami because its so subjective.
If youre a very social person you probably wont have too much trouble making friends.
But speaking from personal experience, finding genuine friends was tough.
I wont even pretend to know the reasoning for this one.
As such, they dont want to waste their time and can sometimes come off as abrasive and aloof.
#8.
But Spring Break (March/April) is a whole different animal, I actively avoid South Beach altogether.
Not to mention the inflated house of lodging during that time!
Anyways, this is my personal quip which is why I included it.
Retiring in Miami FAQ
Themillion dollar question, isnt it?
All told, its easy to say yes.
But at least theres no state income tax.
Miami has no shortage of charming neighborhoods, but a few stand a mile above the rest.
As of 2021, the possession, use, and sale of marijuana is illegal.