Miami is indeed a crappy city
-
10/23/2006
I'm a native of Miami for 35 years. I have watched this city deteriorate into the banana republic it has become. Make no mistake; Miami is not indicative of any major American city. It is much more like a major Latin American city, only I suspect even worse. Others have commented about Miami detractors being racists, yet fail to mention the racism between the Latinos in Miami. On an individual basis they may seem to get along with each other, but as groups, none of them seem to like each other. Ask a Columbian or a Nicaraguan how they feel about the Cubans--"the privileged ones" (as Cubans are the only foreigners that can come here and instantly receive residency--every other foreigner must work, fight and pay to get their green card.) Regardless, unless you speak Spanish, your trip to the local grocery store, Home Depot, Walgreens or Toys R Us will be an exercise in futility. Most of the people don't (or won’t) speak English and don't care that you don't speak Spanish--it's your problem. Forget about any kind of actual service. The attitude is usually "you're lucky you're allowed to spend your money in my store." It is just a very rude city, plain and simple. Apparently the concept of assimilation is lost here. Everyone seems to be out for themselves, and the attitude is pandemic. Driving is deplorable and at best risky. Education is sub-par even at "A" schools. The government is well, mostly Cuban, and is here to serve that community. Most of the "white" people have left Miami not because of the people being Hispanic, but because of the kind of people (rude, ignorant & arrogant) that have come to inhabit this city, who also just happen to be mostly Hispanic people. New Yorkers are much friendlier by comparison (and much more diverse). For those who want to comment on me being a racist, I'm sure my Latino (Mexican) wife and half-Latino children would beg to differ. They can’t stand it here either for the same reason. However, I do have something against rude, arrogant, disrespectful people regardless of their nationality, color, or faith. Rude is just rude, whether it is in English or Spanish. As for the crime, this site ranks Miami 3rd worst in the country. L.A., which is 3 times the size of Miami, has far less crime. We have the #1 ranked rudest drivers in the country, and Miami is constantly being slammed for its horrible service levels across the board. But on the upside, we have nice beaches and plenty of beautiful women.
Daniel | Kendale Lakes, FL