You're right, Miami's dreadful!! - 4/8/2006

Miami is horrible. a beautiful beach with ugly people. the attitude of the rich people is so nasty, and it's shocking to see the opulence of millionaires next to the rest of the city being so horribly poor and run down. traffic is monstrous, people drive on the sidewalk!! and expect to pay a ton in meters and tolls just to get down the street. and let's not forgot the 100 strip clubs per square mile. what a horrible place, i can't wait to leave!

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Laura is correct - 4/6/2006

Anonymous wrote to Laura, I'm sure you'd jump on the first thing you saw that was bouyant with the hopes of landing in the U.S.. If you have'nt lived it. Don't talk about it. No, your wrong, actually it is in the American spirit to fight against any enemy foreign or domestic. If a dictator attempted to take over America, we would not run to Canada. Look at America's history. The Indians fought vs the english "cowboys", the Americans fought vs the British, the rebels fought against the yankees, hell the blacks went and fought against the klan in the South. Please, dont attempt to impute the Miami Cuban values, upon Americans like Laura. Again, this is the problem i have with some Latino's in Miami. Please, i beg all of the Miami Cubans to stop being victims. If you want freedom for Cuba then stop doing your salsa at Mango's and the American Airlines Arena, and pick up a rifle and go overthrow Castro. If not then lose your negative attitudes down here in Miami, South Floridians are tired of all the Cuban whining and crying.

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Listen to us - 4/4/2006

If you know Miami, then you know about West Ave in South Beach. I live in the most expensive street on South Beach, after SouthPoint. I pay $1300.00 per month, and $75.00 per month for parking. I moved from the midwest to miami nearly a year ago. My thoughts. Not to be racist, but the Cubans create an atmosphere of hostility for non-spanish Americans. My best friends here in South Beach are Coast Guard folks and they are routinely disrepected, especially the black ones. My neighbor is a blonde hair, blue eyed girl, which is very different to see here, she hates going out of her door, and stays in most weekends. The Cubans i find to be horrible racist against both whites, and blacks. I came down eager to meet and make friends with Cubans and other Spanish. I have seen enough of them, and now, like most other Americans i will be fleeing to Ft.Lauderdale with the other ex-miamians. P.S. Dont let the Cubans tell you that they built up Miami into the "4th" pooriest city in America. Southbeach is what people think abou when they think Miami. And the Jewish Americans built it up. If SouthBeach was to be cut off from Miami, then Miami would be a 3rd world hellhole for sure. A Interestingly enough, is made up of mostly Americans and Europeans. Of course the Hialeah and Little Havanah trash comes over the bridge and commits their crimes against us. Unfortunately for one of the Cuban criminals, the NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal from the Miami Heat caught and arrested a couple of Cubans when they assaulted a couple of partygoers on Southbeach a few month back. Yes Shaquille O'Neal is a reserve Miami Police Officer. Do yourself a favor, just watch Scarface if you want your fill of the rude,racist and bush loving Miami Cubans. The rest of South Florida are sick of them.

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Miami is a joke - 4/3/2006

Please do not get me started in what is a little hicktown that thinks it is great. Pop 300k wow, were I come from thats a neighbourhood in our city, what makes miami big is the county with its 3-4 million pop. South Beach? Nothing more than a glorified strip smack in the middle of a ghetto. Someone should take a walk a few blocks north of the strip and ask to use a stores restrooms. You would get the following answer can't use our restrooms, why , cause to many druggies use them to shoot up and the store owners let no one use them. Food some what ok, not worth writing home about. Now were I live you can call that paradise, people are friendly, warm and genuine, our beaches are uncrowded and we are the safest city in florida with a pop of over 150k, and best of all we are within 1 1/2 hrs of miami, which makes it close enough to go for the day to enjoy ourselves when it tickles our fancy. But far enough away to not live the choas and BS that miami has become.

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Miami/Pembroke Pines - 4/2/2006

When you speak of Miami,you have to also include the city of Pembroke Pines. These are Spanish territories. Homes are outrageous!! New graduates and young couples should think hard and fast about trying to survive in these areas. Middle and High public schools are crowded. Yes traffic is crazy. I am now trying to find my way out of this state.

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LAURA - 3/31/2006

Laura, you obviously have not done your homework correctly. The only reason cubans were given the right to come to this country and the opportunities was because they came from a communist country and most of these people have suffered their whole lives. This is a gift. Sure others are not happy about it. But how would you like it if everything you said, did, and ate was controlled by a tyrant like Castro? I'm sure you'd jump on the first thing you saw that was bouyant with the hopes of landing in the U.S.. If you have'nt lived it. Don't talk about it. This city is not for everyone. I have to say, that what I do love about Miami is it's diversity. There are people here from all over the world. So many cultures and so much to learn about each and every one of them. Cubans, Nicaraguens, African Americans, Colombians, Puerto Ricans, Ecuadorians, Haitians, Venezuelens, Peruvians, Americans, Japanese, Jamaicans, and Chinese. I love them all. That's why this is the UNITED States of America.

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Outrageous! - 3/30/2006

Cost of Living is extremely too high in Miami.

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MIAMI-Great Fun, food, weather, culture, people, n - 3/28/2006

Miami is NOT for everyone. I came here 5 years ago from the Midwest, I speak English, Spanish, and French. Miami is a very International City, (not just Hispanic). So if you don't like culture, and you can't make more than $50k per year, or you aren't willing learn new things...Miami is not for you. Miami has great nightlife, great restuarants from all over the world, and just about everything you could want including the beach. BUT....there is a reason everyone keeps coming here...and it shows in the following: REAL ESTATE - Housing is very pricy here compared to other large cities (Except NYC). Average 3/2 in a "good" area is around $400,000. - The caveat is that appreciation is running around 15-20% still. Taxes and insurance are pretty high as well (around $10,000+ per year) TRAFFIC - If you are not used to heavy traffic, Miami will wear on you quickly. You have to get used to it. JOBS - If you have a Bachelors, some experience and present yourself well, you should have NO trouble finding a good job either in Academia (Art, Education, Healthcare, Media) ---but you really should speak Spanish for most of these...or non Academia - Sales, Marketing,....lots of competition though, but at least they keep growing. If you are moving here from a smaller city or the midwest, be ready for crowds, traffic, and everyone does seem to be in a hurry. But if you can afford $400,000 for a house, or rent for $1500-$2000/month for a 1-2 BR, you can have lots of fun in Miami. If not, it will wear on you immediately.

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You couldn't pay me to move back! - 3/23/2006

I first moved to Miami in 1961. It was pretty much a small town. When the Cubans began coming in they really helped Miami to grow, and in a good way. Then things began to really change. First of all you really do need to know Spanish to "fit in". The whole Metro-Dade area is EXPENISVE. There is no such thing as a day out without having your checkbook or credit card in hand. High crime, heavy traffic, noisey all the time. No thanks. Glad to be gone.

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Miami is a very stressful place to live - 3/23/2006

I moved to Miami from England 20 years ago and I have had enough! I have enjoyed many aspects of life here over the years, beautiful water, lovely sunny weather, boating, visiting the Florida Keys (which has saved my sanity) and have flourished here by smiling at all the Spanish speaking residents and generally doing my best to survive in what is to me, a very alien culture. But, the traffic gets worse every day (it took me 1 hour to get to a doctor's appointment yesterday that is only 8 miles from my house) and my commute to work each day can take anywhere from 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Every inch of land is being built on with cookie cutter houses everywhere which will only add to more traffic problems. People are out for themselves in this town and the rudeness, especially on the roads with people cutting you off in traffic, not waiting in line to make turns and the lack of civility here have taken their toll on my husband and me. We have also been burglarized four times, and last week my husband's truck was stolen out of our driveway and we live in a great neighborhood. While we hate to give up certain aspects of life here, they are no longer worth the price you have to pay to live here. Housing costs have gone through the roof the last few years and property taxes and house insurance are going to keep going up (especially after all the recent hurricanes) As soon as we can find a better place to live - we are outta here. I'll miss my friends and the cafe con leches but not much else. Good luck to anyone moving to Miami. We're off to find America.

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Laura has no clue ... - 3/14/2006

My family came from Cuba in the late 60's and we have never collected welfare. In fact, no one in my family has ever received any form of government assistance, so I'm not sure what Laura means by 'handouts' and 'preferential treatment'. We received the same privileges that every other immigrant receives, and far less opportunity than non-Hispanic whites. While it's true that the cost of living has significantly increased and it can be very difficult to find decent housing- I wouldn't let ignorance and bigotry determine where you live. It’s a beautiful city to live in, if you can afford it.

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Let's be honest... - 3/4/2006

Actually, Dee, let's be honest about why Hispanics (particularly Cubans) are running Miami. The U.S. government has historically given Cuban immigrants and refugees some pretty sweet deals- low interest business loans, guaranteed free college scholarships, and various other types of "welfare" help that other groups have never been offered. Cuban immigrants received preferential treatment as long as they were the white-looking, Castro-hating Cubans that would support the U.S. government's anti-Communist agenda. The fact that you received this enormous, unmerited head start over other ethnic groups that have lived and toiled in this country and in this southern Florida area for centuries is the real reason why you now have so much power in Miami. And the fact that you claim you "worked hard" for it is hilarious. How exactly does one work hard for a handout?

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Miami's Changed - 3/3/2006

We moved here in 1969, it was a big city with many affordable cultural events. Not any more. If u ain't got the $$$ don't come. if u can't speak spanish don't come. if u ain't a republican, castro hating, bush loving, catholic, don't come. I'm outta' here.

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The downfall of Miami - 2/26/2006

It's sad to say, but I have to agree in general with all the negative comments about Miami. There are very few redeeming qualities about this place anymore. I was born in Colombia, South America and moved to Miami in 1980 when I was 10 years old. So my comments are not racist but a factual observation of what I have seen happen over the last 26 years. Instead of "white trash" just like you might see in other undesireable areas of the US, you have "Hispanic trash" in Miami. Don't get me wrong, there are decent, respectable, and successful Hispanics in Miami, and they are a welcomed addition to our country and culture, but they are in the minority, unfortunately. There are too many uneducated low skilled people in Miami. It has been my observation that people are generally rude, unfriendly, crass, and yes, it is true, they do expect you to speak Spanish down in Miami. I speak Spanish fluently because I am Colombian, but I find this attitude that you should know Spanish to be pretentious and arrogant. We should have open arms to immigrants, but the favor should be reciprocated by learning English (or attempt to learn) and contributing back in a healthy way to the country that embraced you, gave you freedom, and a chance to start a new life. I do not really see that in Miami. I now live in Jupiter, FL, and I do not regret leaving Miami. I even have some Cuban and Colombian friends, and they can't wait to move out because they cannot stand the "trailer trash" that permeates the area. I still have relatives in Miami so visiting is not a pleasant experience. They will be moving out soon, thank God.

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Wow, what anger there is - 2/15/2006

These comments on Miami are astounding to me. When last I looked, Miami sat near the bottom of Florida's east coast, in a country called the United States of America. It seems to me that the population of Latin America has arrogantly assumed that this piece of real estate is theirs. I don't recall any "Miami Purchase" being reported in the news. Diversity is often touted as a good thing, but as in so many parts of this country and planet, diverse groups can't manage to get along. Perhaps, if we spoke the language of the natives (in this case, it's ENGLISH) we'd get along? I don't live anywhere near the city of Miami, though I have visited many times. It tires me to see grocery stores where I live with signs in two languages. I am bilingual by choice and education, and I think the only people that should learn a second language are the people who move into the US. So, to Latin Americans and other immigrants in the USA, I say "Learn English", because you contribute little to our continued existence as a country by your misplaced arrogance.

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one of the worst - 2/7/2006

if you're into the superficial nightlife, plastic people and rude idiots, miami's for you. i speak 3 languages (including spanish) and lived in miami for over 20 years, and i have to say that leaving that town was the best thing i've ever done. the people there are unbelievably rude and they EXPECT you to speak spanish. i have travelled extensively to latin america over the years and respect all cultures, but when those cultures settle on US soil and crap all over the country that opened its arms to them, it makes me sick. i was born in europe and learned to respect this country and speak the language. then i grow up in a city which slowly changes and becomes mostly latin-american, and i get treated like garbage for not speaking spanish readily when someone is trying to sell ME something in a store? the police department is corrupt, the zoning is out of control, the government is made up of a bunch of idiots and the last classical station was taken over by a dance channel. no culture, horrible crime and drug rate, aggravation the minute you step out your front door. no thanks.

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Reply to Eric - 2/5/2006

I agree with Eric. It is unfortunate many US Citizens do not know a foreign language or really understand there own history. I am a white US citizen who speaks three languages- English, Spanish, and French. I have made a lot of efforts to learn foreign languages and learn about other countries and cultures. I am just about to finish up my bachelor's degree in Spanish and Latin American studies. I think more US citizens should learn a foreign language, because its not just English anymore. But the problems I have with Miami is that it has a very high cost of living. There are so many people here and so many people moving here everyday that the competition for jobs is horrible. It is a nice place to visit and appreciate many different cultures, but I wouldn't want to raise my kids here.

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stop complaining about the spanish people in flori - 1/28/2006

the problem with white americans is that they have no clue about their own history. if they read the history of the north america's, they would know that florida was once a part of the spanish empire along with other parts of the united states. we are not foreign to the north america's, it used to be our property and spanish was the first european language spoken here.

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Miami - 1/27/2006

This is in response to "Dee" 1/26/05 I am an American, born and raised here and I speak only English. How dare you downgrade the AMERICAN population. Who do you think you are? It is not jealousy, it is disgust to see what has happened to this country. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE RESIDENCE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, THEN LEARN OUR LANGUAGE OR GO BACK TO YOUR "LITTLE HOLE" BEACUSE WE DON'T NEED YOU NOR WANT YOUR KIND HERE..

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