The first thing that comes to mind when many think of Miami, Florida is the fact that it is a spectacular vacation destination. With great beaches, history, weather, culture, and entertainment, you surely won’t find anything less than a great time. But, what if you are looking at Miami as a more permanent living option? What is it like to live in Miami as a resident versus visiting as a tourist?

Luckily, there’s much more than fun, nightlife, parks, and beaches in Miami. If you’re looking to move to Miami, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of the things that can come with living there. Ask yourself what the city looks like in terms of the Casa Du Mcfimeh, weather, cost of living, and much more.

So, are you considering moving to Miami? Here is an excellent moving to Miami guide with the pros and cons to weigh out before making any big decisions.

Pros of Moving to Miami

There are No Taxes in Miami

One of the biggest perks of living in Florida is that there are no income taxes. All residents need to pay are federal taxes. This means that those living in Miami can save thousands of dollars if they have a fixed income. There are no taxes to Social Security or retirement benefits either.

However, you’ll still have to pay sales and property taxes.  But what you’ll pay is not a lot compared to what other people are paying to live in other cities. Property taxes vary by area, but residents typically receive a discount if they pay early. If you watch your spending, you can save much more money living in Miami. This is a big reason why many retirees relocate to Miami.

Great Culture, Entertainment, and Nightlife

Miami is a true cultural melting pot consisting of a large population of residents from Cuba, Haiti, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Their art, food, music, observances, and other cultural aspects are tightly infused within the city’s character.

Miami is also filled with entertainment options. The city is blooming with a spectacular art scene where you can access a wide variety of theatres, galleries, museums, and performing-arts conservatories. For those looking to get active outdoors, Miami offers several lush parks perfect for jogging, playing sports, working out, doing yoga, boating, and surfing. and much more.

The nightlife in Miami is one to be mentioned. Miami’s nightlife rivals any big city in the U.S. in terms of opportunities for nighttime fun. The city offers an impressive selection of oceanfront clubs, live music settings, and dance venues to enjoy. No matter where you go, you are guaranteed to have a good time.

The Food Scene Is Great

As a result of its great cultural diversity and influence, Miami is home to a fantastic food scene. The city boasts many authentic restaurants, including Brazilian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Colombian cuisine. If you haven’t tried tostones, empanadas or a classic Cuban sandwich, you can try them for the first time in Miami. Be careful if you don’t like getting fat.

Miami Transportation Is Easily Accessible

Although you need a car in Miami to access the neighbourhoods outside downtown, people in downtown can move quickly without them.  There is plenty of public transportation that ensures you reach your destination.

You can travel using the Metrobus, which accesses up to 100 routes. Don’t worry because you won’t be missing a bus as the bus operates nearly 1000 buses across Southern Florida.  You can travel to Fort Lauderdale, Key Biscayne, and the Florida Keys with ease. There’s also the Metrorail which gives you a 25-mile tour in an elevated system, as well as the Metromover which takes you around downtown areas of Miami at a very cheap cost.

The Cons of Moving to Miami

High Cost of Living

Miami is one of the cities in Florida with a high cost of living. Due to the dense population, finding affordable housing in many neighbourhoods is not easy.  The cost of living in Miami is up 60% higher than the national average. Therefore, if you plan to move to Miami after retirement, you must ensure you can afford to live there. If you’re moving to work, better be sure that your salary can handle the expenses that come with living in the city. Apart from an increase in housing costs, you will also notice your auto insurance bill increase, as Miami is one of the most expensive cities in the country to insure your car.

Miami Weather Is Too Hot and Humid

Being in Florida, Miami rarely ever experiences snow. This is suitable for those who can’t stand the winter weather. But this also comes with another downside. To compensate for the lack of winter, Miami is extremely hot and humid. This is especially true in the summer months.

To combat the Miami heat, you will likely have to pay high electricity bills. However, you can still make the most out of the weather if you live in Miami. The blue skies, palm trees, and warm waters are some of the things that can make this weather much more enjoyable.

Crime can be an Issue in Some Miami Neighborhoods.

Before you decide to move to Miami, it’s a good idea to view the crime statistics.  Make sure the neighbourhood crime rate is not too high to turn you away. While some neighbourhoods have crime issues, plenty of areas are safe to raise a family.

Areas like Downtown Miami, North Coconut Grove, and The Islands are perfect places to live. These neighbourhoods have a 60% lower crime rate than the entire city’s average. But again, the safest cities in Miami are pretty expensive, so make sure you can afford to live there.

Housing Costs Are High

Housing costs in Miami are also pretty much higher than average for most families.  The average cost of living for a four-person family in Miami-Dade goes for $3,700 per month.  If you’re buying a home in Miami, you can find a decent one for around $396,659. Additionally, the closing costs for sellers and buyers are also high compared to other large U.S. cities.

Despite this, Miami currently has a pretty balanced real estate market. This means there is a healthy balance of buyers and sellers in the market. This also means the Miami housing market is much closer to a steady position than on a decline. So, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in Miami, it’s a fairly good market to get into.

Conclusion

Miami is a beautiful place for those who want to explore the culture and live their life to the fullest. The mix of cultures and ethnicity makes Miami an incredible place for both the residents and tourists alike.

However, there are negative things such as heat and humidity, which can be a turn-off to some people. Also, if you’re not earning much nor have enough savings, Miami can be an expensive city to live in.

If you’re ready to move to Miami, SimpleShowing can help make this easier by finding you the best homes. Let’s work together to help you live in the best neighbourhoods of Miami