richbank
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5/20/2006
Miami Beach is a microcosm of America's immigration problem. It is a ppowerful magnet that attracts a broad swath of immigrants to a vibrant and dynamic area. Like Dade and Broward counties, it is a "minority-majority" locale where minority groups constitute the majority of the population, with a heavy emphasis on Hispanic. Our five year old daughter will be going to a school where the demographic is 63% Hispanic, 22% White, 13% Black, 2% Asian. Spanish is the predominant language, which can get tedious. Miami Beach is a pot, but the contents are not melting. The primary ethnic groups tend not to intermix; hence, they are not well blended. There is too much of an "us versus them" mentality as a result of the strong Hispanic influx, which paralyzes government and hampers social intermingling. Miami's heat (not the Basketball Team) can be oppressive and unrelenting, particularly beginning in June and lasting through November. The real estate prices have risen meteorically. A million dollars buys very little in a single family home. Traffic on Miami Beach is getting worse, which is a natural consequence of the over-building of condominiums, especially in South Beach. That said, there is a plethora of good quality and diverse restaurants on the Beach. Lincoln Road is an improved version of the Champs-Elysees, with an endless procession of humanity and cafes. The young have supplanted the elderly. There is a growing gay population; a hip-hop crowd; casually-dressed yuppies yearning to live the good life. All of this contributes to a dynamic "City." Clubs, bars, local hot spots all do well and stay open late. Samuel Johnson said if a man is bored with London, he is bored with life. That can be said about Miami Beach, although the cultural and intellectual life here is certainly wanting compared to London. Miami Beach is many things: It is more Latin than Anglo; more Northern than Southern; more wealthy than impecunious; more young than old; more international than american; more hot than warm; more rude than polite; more new money than old money; more situational ethics than traditional integrity, etc. On balance, it's an exciting place to live.
Richard | Miami Beach, FL