The good and the bad, an unbiased reflection
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10/31/2006
Miami is not for everyone. I have lived here for three years after living in Missouri, Boston, NYC and Tampa, I have some others to compare it to.
1.It is hot and humid, but if you are a warm weather person like I am, the warm winters outweigh the hot muggy summers. The weather here is beautiful October through April, the opposite of most of the country.
2. It is like living in another country. Some people like it, some people don't mind it, and some people hate it. It just depends on your personality. Spanish is the first (and often only) language of most of the population. The culture is also different than what most people are used to.
3. Assets: Great beaches, nightlife, and shopping.
4. The people, especially the women, are beautiful. It is a very superficial culture, some people like that, some don't.
5. Cost of life: It is extremely expensive compared to wages in the area. I have read that about a lot of cities on this site. I often disagree when people say that, but after living in NYC and London I think I am more expecting of high costs. However,the cost of living especially housing, is very high in comparison with wages because a very large percentage of the people who live here don't work. In addition to tourists, there is an extremely high percentage of wealthy Latin and South Americans who don't need to work.
6. Traffic: Traffic is bad in every big city. However, for some reason in Miami its not just at rush hour. It lasts from 8 -10:30am or so, and then starts again some time between noon and 2 and lasts until 8pm. Thats a pretty big rush hour. And traffic gets worse in the winter and whenever school is in session.
7. There is a lot of crime, but I have never had any problems. But I don't live or drive around in bad areas.
8. There are hurricanes. This can be a nuisance for home owners. As a renter, it is merely a couple days off to drink and relax, and maybe lose cable and/or electricity for a couple of days. Its not as bad as a blizzard (if you are not a homeowner).
9. But it is beautiful here. Almost every time I drive over to Miami beach, the view takes my breath away.
10. Overall, it has its pros and cons, but I haven't left yet.
Natalie | Miami, FL