Pros of Living in Miami
- Amazing Weather
- Unique Culture
- Great Nightlife
- Sandy Beaches
- Low Taxes
- Growing Economy
1. Amazing Weather
One of the best things about living in Miami is the weather. Miami has fantastic weather year-round and claims the warmest ocean temperatures in the United States. The temperatures in Miami typically vary between 62 and 90°F and usually don’t go below 50°F or above 92°. So, while the summers can get humid, it rarely gets oppressively hot, and the winters are enjoyable, making it an ideal destination for snowbirds fleeing the north. Plus, they don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing, and Miami averages about 250 sunny days per year. So, if you’re looking for warm weather year-round and continuous sunshine, you’ll love Miami.
2. Unique Culture
One significant advantage of Miami over other coastal cities is its unique culture. In addition to great weather and sandy beaches, Miami is known for its world-class restaurants, art galleries, exhibitions, and live performances. It has a melting pot culture that blends influences from the Latin American, Caribbean, African American, and Jewish communities that inhabit the city. From Art Basel to the Bayside Marketplace, residents will find plenty of attractions, shopping, restaurants, and unique experiences to keep them entertained. Plus, the restaurants are on par with some of the top culinary scenes in the world, and visitors will find everything from authentic Cuban cuisine to Michelin-star restaurants.
3. Great Nightlife
Another major draw of living in Miami is the nightlife and entertainment. The nightclubs in South Beach are legendary and feature a continuous lineup of superstar DJs, rappers, and pop stars performing every night of the week. Hot spots like Club LIV, E11even, and Club Space are perfect places to hit the dance floor and party the night away. EDM fans won’t want to miss the ULTRA music festival, which takes place every year in March, and rap fans can check out Rolling Loud Miami, a yearly festival with performances from the biggest names in hip hop. So, no matter what you’re into, you can find something to do every night of the week in Miami.
4. Sandy Beaches
After a night of hitting the clubs, you’ll probably want to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Luckily, Miami has some of the best beaches in the United States, with warm water and palm trees. You’ll find the best spots in South Beach, Lummus Park, Bal Harbor Beach, or Crandon Park. However, anywhere you look along the coast, you’ll likely find somewhere to unwind and enjoy the pleasant weather. Outdoor enthusiasts will also find ample opportunity for surfing, fishing, boating, jet skiing, and more along the coast or on one of the keys across from the mainland. So, whether you’re looking to relax and sip on a margarita or try your luck at windsurfing, the beaches of Miami are the place to be.
5. Low Taxes
Low taxes are an underrated benefit of calling Miami home. Florida is one of the states with no income tax, and property taxes are also relatively low (depending on where you live). Miami-Dade’s County sales and use tax is 7%, which includes a statewide sales tax rate of 6% plus a 1% county surtax. The low taxes make Miami an attractive place to retire, as income from social security, IRAs, 401 Ks, and pensions are not taxed at a state level. Plus, there are no estate or inheritance taxes either. Florida is also business-friendly and offers compelling incentives for startups and independent entrepreneurs looking to save money.
6. Growing Economy
Living in Miami also brings unique employment opportunities, as the city has a growing economy that is constantly evolving. Although not quite as robust as other major urban areas such as New York and Los Angeles, the job market in Miami is also less competitive, which makes finding employment easier. The business-friendly environment also attracts innovative startups and Fortune 500 companies looking for a change of pace. The Miami metro area’s employment grew by 4.5% last year, compared to a 3.2% growth nationally. Significant industries in Miami include aviation, banking and finance, tourism, entertainment, health care, and technology. So, if you’re looking to get in on the ground floor of the next revolutionary company or just want stable employment and sunshine, Miami is the place to be.
Cons of Living in Miami
- Dealing with Tourists
- High Cost of Living
- Hurricanes & Humidity
- Annoying Insects
- Traffic
1. Dealing with Tourists
One of the major drawbacks of living in Miami is dealing with all the tourists. Close to 25 million tourists visit Miami every year, so you won’t have the sandy beaches, restaurants, and nightclubs to yourself. The closer you live to downtown and the coast, the more you’ll deal with tourists. Plus, neighborhoods with popular clubs and bars can get loud and boisterous after dark. Bal Harbour Beach and North Shore Beach are the quietest, as they’re farther removed from the main tourist districts. South Beach and downtown Miami tend to attract most tourists, so avoid these areas if you think this may bother you.
2. High Cost of Living
While living in Miami offers a variety of attractive advantages, those benefits will come at a price. The high cost of living in Miami is one of the significant disadvantages of living in the city, especially compared to the rest of Florida. The cost of living in Miami is 20% higher than the rest of Florida and 21% higher than the national average. The largest expense is housing, which is 42% higher than the rest of Florida and 47% higher than the country overall. Miami has seen a significant population boom in the past few years, which has led to a significant increase in property values. However, it’s still more affordable than in major urban areas like New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.
3. Hurricanes & Humidity
Although Miami offers fantastic weather for most of the year, the climate isn’t perfect, and you’ll still have to contend with the humidity and the occasional hurricane. For those not used to the intense humidity, summers can be unbearable at times, especially in August and September. The least humid month is March (which has a 55.8% relative humidity rate), while the most humid is September (which has a 69.7% relative humidity rate). Although the exact conditions vary throughout the day, it’s almost always relatively humid. You’ll likely get used to it over time, but your first summer in Miami may be brutal.
4. Annoying Insects
The humidity and warm weather also attract another annoyance; bugs and pests. South Florida is known for its large insect population that thrives in its subtropical climate. While some are harmless and interesting (such as dragonflies and butterflies), others can be dangerous (mosquitoes, spiders, and cockroaches). Miami is one of the country’s worst cities for mosquitoes and ranks third in the US for cockroaches. Although you can do your best to keep your home clean and take precautions to prevent infestation, the sheer volume of insects makes them difficult to avoid, especially in public. So, if you plan on moving to Miami, pack bug spray.
5. Traffic
The heavy traffic is another major drawback of living in Miami. Miami ranks as the fifth worst city in the US for traffic and 9th worldwide, which includes dense urban metropolises like New York and London. The increase in population and high volume of tourist traffic contributes to the congestion on the city’s highways. Although it offers some options for public transportation, you’ll likely need a car to get around unless you live in some of the more walkable neighborhoods near downtown. The mean commute time to work in Miami is 28 minutes, 1.2 minutes longer than the national average. Plus, the congestion tends to get worse around popular events like Art Basel or Miami Music Week, so adjust your travel times if you commute or need to navigate through the city.
Living in Miami Bottom Line
Miami is an amazing place to live because it offers non-stop excitement, one-of-a-kind experiences, and a rapidly expanding, business-friendly economy. It also caters to a diverse population, including tourists, young professionals, retirees, and families, because it offers something unique to all those groups.
So, if you can deal with the bugs, humidity, and traffic jams, you should seriously consider moving to Miami. It’s a world-class city that offers a perfect blend of culture and excitement, and no matter what you’re interested in, you’ll always find something to do in Miami.