The Real Miami
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7/31/2006
After spending 7 yrs of my life in Miami & the rest of S. Florida, I'm saying good bye. I was born and raised in another G8 country (I am not Hispanic) and can tell you that Miami has not in the last 7 yrs nor will it ever function like a city in a first world country. Never in terms of speed, cleanliness, intellect, attitude, infrastructure, politics, debate, reason, hospitality, economics, socially, economically, etc. Unless you speak Spanish, life here gets harder! Even many Latins from deep South America don't think of Miami as a great place to live and raise a family (they have told me this)
Hispanic politics and the associated mentality rule here. In order to understand this attitude and not get frustrated living here, you have to had spent some time down in Latin America proper (like i have). It's hispanic politics and business here being played with US dollars so the stakes are higher and so are the tricks! It's a city where you will meet many diverse people (mostly from the caribbean, central, and south america) The Latins will talk to you and pretend to befriend you but it's all "hot air"; something they are very used to giving when meeting people from non-hispanic cultures because they have simple minds. Once when I attended a business conference in Colorado and mentioned i represent a Miami company, many rolled their eyes. After 7 yrs, i now know why. If you are a businessman coming to do business here, i can tell you to be prepared for a lot of "no tengo dinero" (i have no money) or "its too expensive" and never/slowly get paid for your product/service. If you are a worker, good luck trying to find a lasting, stable job and afford a decent place to live with the paltry salary most here make. I know first hand that the court outcomes are rigged to favour the "cuban mafia" that live here. If you plan to come and buy property here in Miami/S. Florida, i can tell you that your hurricane/hazard insurance bill (which is requred by lenders) will cost you a min of $6K-$10K per year (if you can find an insurer who will sell it to you - most are exiting the insurance business here since its too risky because of the constant hurricane threats) and your property taxes will be 2% of the assesed value of your property (another $8K). Dont forget you'll still have to pay your mortgage payment! Most decent homes/condos here start at $450K now! You will pay $300k for a 30 yr old "chicken shack" otherwise! Miami was once a hidden treasure but those
paul | Miami, FL