If so, you wouldn’t be the first or the last. In fact, all signs point to Florida as the place to be right now. Don’t just take our word for it, either. Check out these numbers! In the past year alone, nearly 330,000 people have moved to the Sunshine State from places like Texas, New York, and California. Florida was the third most popular state to move to during the COVID times, according to moving companies like U-Haul. Experts predict this migration to last well into 2025. Why the craze? Low housing costs, deals on homeownership, and minimal property taxes are just two of the many reasons to consider relocating. But don’t start packing just yet! If you’ve been wondering whether Miami is a good place to live, keep reading to see if this is the destination for you. We’ve compiled information from locals, ex-residents, the internet, and more to bring you an objective guide.
What Does Miami Have to Offer the People Who Call It “Home”?
To relocate anywhere, you must imagine day-to-day life. It’s easy to take a vacation to South Beach and love the food, beaches, and nightspots so much, you fly home only to daydream about moving there immediately. That tends to happen with destination trips—the reprieve from emails, chores, and work tends to make you look at everything with rose-colored glasses. But living somewhere isn’t as glamorous as vacationing there, is it? What would it look like to live in Miami, day after day, year after year? Below, we highlight some of the top things to know about Miami’s food, drink, and entertainment scenes—because that’s still an undeniable benefit of moving to the city. But we also cover important topics that would affect your day-to-day life, such as the education system, the state of the housing market, and much more.
Food and Drink
Perhaps one of the greatest things about living in Miami is its diverse and delicious array of cuisine. With influences from Latin America and the Caribbean, Haiti and Puerto Rico, and so many others, Miami has no lack of interesting and refreshing options when it comes to food. And not just any food, but highly-curated, expertly crafted dishes that earn their chefs awards and accolades across the nation. Whether you’re on South Beach, in Wynwood, or hitting up Little Havana, you’re sure to find a delicate balance of modern and iconic, trendy and traditional. You can’t call yourself a resident until you’ve had an authentic Cuban sandwich from Versailles, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the new take on the classic at Sanguich de Miami. Your tastebuds will never get bored of the flavor journey awaiting you here. The same applies to drinks—from famous Miami Vice cocktails at bustling nightclubs to craft beers at J Wakefield Brewing, there’s something for everyone’s tastebuds. Like the food, you can keep it casual or go all-out.
The Education System
If you’ve got children in school or are wanting to pursue higher education for yourself, it’s a topic worth learning about before making a move. The Miami-Dade education system has experienced its hardships—but, thanks to Department of Education leader Alberto Carvalho, it’s seeing a revival. Carvalho’s efforts are not only noticeable but successful. Under his leadership, he’s had the following impacts:
The creation of the Education Transformation Office, meant to provide support to 19 failing schools in the district Several new investments, such as technology in the classroom, hiring more coaches/tutors, and the opening of a weekend academy for academic assistance A major hire of new faculty members, all with the intention of making change, reinvigorating the school district, and helping needier schools Bridging the divide between the school district and Miami-Dade school board Increased college enrollment numbers for Black and Latino students
That being said, it’s worth noting the difficulties Miami-Dade has faced. Most of the issues have stemmed from funding shortages, student overpopulation, and poverty levels. As mentioned, though, these challenges are all being addressed and fought back against actively by DOE staff.
Entertainment Galore
Let’s steer the conversation back toward something fun: entertainment. Ennui is not a thing that exists in Miami, Florida. Whether you’re rollerblading to Muscle Beach or dining at Michelin-grade restaurants before painting downtown red, your planner is sure to always be full—if you want it to be. Take a stroll through the Art Deco Historic District, perusing the early-20th-century architecture, for a taste of Miami’s culture, history, and art. Spend an entire day shopping at Bayside Marketplace—trust us, you’ll need it. Grab some buddies and walk through Wynwood’s giant outdoor art display for something low-key but nonetheless awe-inspiring. In addition to that, you’ve got gardens, parks, beaches, museums, zoos, and historical sites galore. There’s something to do for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, an outdoor enthusiast, a family person, or a party animal. That makes Miami a fun destination for not only you but all your housemates, too.
The Housing Market
All right—let’s take another curve in the road here and head back to the less glamorous but arguably more important conversations about things like housing markets. If you needed any more proof that the demand to live in Florida is high, consider that June of this year saw the highest number of residential sales in a single month in thirty years for Miami-Dade County. There were a whopping 4,057 single-family home and condo sales, a record high since they first began tracking sales activity in ’93. Broward County, one of the three counties that make up Miami’s metropolitan area, had 4,121 residential transactions—the highest of the year. It’s safe to say these realtors aren’t running out of work! Of course, with a nickname like Magic City, you can expect some pretty high price tags to go along with the houses for sale. According to recent reports, Miami is now the second most expensive housing market in the US. Thanks to that COVID-induced moving spree we mentioned earlier, Miami took LA’s place in the number two slot, narrowly avoiding the top spot, which New York currently holds. Miami’s median home listing currently sits at a cool $549,000.
Job Outlook
Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Miami is its tech scene. The city is a hubbub for investors, tech entrepreneurs, and those looking for a shift from Silicon Valley. Thanks to an “eager local government,” Miami is turning into the new spot for budding careers in technology. Local investors say the city is rife with potential, talent, and diversity. The region has a wonderful opportunity to make a name for itself as a major startup hub, inspiring even more people to flock there looking for work. Thanks to a high quality of life and a creative, diversified workforce, Miami is looking great in terms of job outlook. That’s not all, though. With remote work becoming ever more popular, Miami remains a destination for WFHers who want something pretty to stare out through their living room windows. Miami has proven itself ready to make the shift from in-office to in-home, paving the way for innovation. Tech aside, Miami shows promise in area job arenas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Miami employment increased by 122,800 between July 2018 and July 2021. The local rate of job gain sat only 0.3% lower than the national average at 5%, still highlighting a win for the city. Leisure and hospitality showed the largest gains, with business services coming in second, trades (think: plumbers) coming in third, and education coming in fourth. The only professions that didn’t show job gains were logging, which broke even, and construction, which lost less than five percent.
Outdoor Activities Besides the Beaches
Let’s face it: beaches are probably a top factor in your wanting to move to Miami. It’s an understandable reason, as Miami’s beaches are white-sanded, crystal-colored water paradises that beg your constant attention and visitation. But they’re not the only thing begging to be explored by outdoor enthusiasts. If you want a break from the beach, Miami’s got something for you, too. Some of Miami’s best outdoor adventures, sans beaches, include:
Visiting Oleta River State Park, a perfect destination for those who love kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding Listening to a New World Symphony concert at Soundscape Park Partying along The Wharf, a notable destination near the Miami River famous for food, drinks, events, and more Taking a stroll through any of their botanical gardens Fishing at Biscayne National Park
Of course, if you want to talk about Miami’s great outdoors, you can’t fail to mention the Everglades. Miami is a quick, 60-minute trip from the Everglades, a 1.5-million-acre wetland preserve at the tip of the state. It’s home to several rare or endangered animal species—like the Florida panther, the manatee, and the American crocodile—thanks to its diverse, marshy, mangrove-riddled habitat. You simply can’t live that close without seeing for yourself what makes the Everglades so captivating.
Last but Certainly Not Least: Beach Access
Okay, okay—the moment we’ve all been waiting for. It’s time to talk about what is perhaps one of the best reasons to move to this sunny city if you so choose. It’s the beaches! Why do people love the beaches in Miami so much? For one, they’re absolutely beautiful, with soft white sand, clear blue waters, and beach weather almost all year long. Secondly, they’re all open to the public, something you don’t find with every city in Florida. Because of Miami’s prime location, there are just as many beaches to choose from as there are restaurants and museums. Whether you want to swim among the celebrities or read a book in silence, there’s a beach in Miami to satisfy your needs. From the glitz and glam of South Beach to the landscaped dunes of Haulover, each one brings something unique to the table. If you’re going out with the family, consider the shallow waters and nature center available at Crandon Park. To see the iconic, pastel-colored lifeguard stands and maybe a celebrity or two, head on over to South Beach. If you want to stay as far away as possible from tourists (hey, you’ll be a resident at this point!), consider the tropical and more isolated beaches over at Homestead Bayfront Park And Marina, which offers a kind of privacy not found at many others. Of course, being a resident means you get to try them all, so make sure the greats like Lummus Park Beach, South Pointe Park Pier, and Sunny Isles Beach are on your radar, too. The more you sight-see, the better you’ll be at navigating things like parking spaces and crowds of locals.
Party in the City Where the Heat Is On . . . Welcome to Miami
If you’re anything like Will Smith circa 1997, a few days in Miami is never enough to satisfy. He said it perfectly in these Miami lyrics: “I only came for two days of playing / But every time I come I always wind up stayin’.” If you love this sunny, beachside city in Florida as much as Will Smith does (or used to), and you’ve been considering moving to Miami for a while, now might be the right time to make your move. Hopefully, this guide was enough to tip the scales in one direction or the other, making your decision that much easier. If you’re still unsure, take a trip and see how it feels, then sleep on it. What other fun entertainment do we have up our sleeves? Head back to the homepage to find out!
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