Miami is famous or infamous, depending on how you see it. For most, the city stands out as a major metropolis in the southern part of the US with a cosmopolitan allure to rival the coastal elites. There's an urban energy here that's as lively as New York City, LA, Chicago, and the like. For others, Miami is best remembered for its electric nightlife scene, boasting all sorts of adult entertainment that's not always family-friendly. With all this in store, should you still move to Miami? Like with everything else, relocating here has its pros and cons. You simply have to weigh both to get a better idea of what your life might be like here.
Pros
Get to Know Different Cultures
Miami's biggest strength arguably lies in its diversity. Best known for its massive Latin American community, the city is also home to a very global population. As such, the metropolis also offers a convergence of cultures, brightening up the place with their many customs, traditions, cuisines, and more. This alone is already a good enough reason to
move to Miami, especially in these divisive times when even the notion of diversity is put into question. At the very least, you're assured of a place here in Miami, no matter your race, ethnicity, nationality, and more.
Work in Miami's Major Business Hub
Many might argue that Miami reached its corporate heyday in the 1980s and 90s, but the place hasn't lost its commercial sheen. The city still serves as one of the biggest business hubs in the US, highlighting industries like finance, technology, trade, and of course, tourism. More of than not, those who move here do so for work, specifically those coming from Latin American countries. Miami has even opened up to be the ultimate gateway for the country to do business with Central and South America, further strengthening its status as one of the biggest
job markets in the US.
Enjoy the Tropical Weather
You know you relocated to Miami for its sunny weather! Don't deny it! Nor you should have to in the first place! One of the best parts about living in Miami is getting to enjoy its tropical climate all year long. It may get cold at times in winter, but it never gets as icy as the rest of the East Coast. It's no wonder, then, that Miami, or Florida as a whole, is usually touted as the best place for retirement. But don't wait for your golden years to enjoy the city's eternal sunshine!
Have Fun at The Beach
Imagine going to the beach whenever you want, be it after a long hard day's work or at the end of a very hectic week. Sounds like a dream, doesn't it? Well, this could be your reality if you move to Miami! The city is practically famous for its fabulous shorelines, each more paradisiacal than the next. And the
best beaches in Miami are also fairly different from each other. South Beach turns up the party from sunrise to sunset, while the ever-distance Bal Harbour Beach provides the perfect escape from the rest of the city.
Cons
Far from the Safest City
Let's be real for a second: Miami is definitely not the safest city in the world, let alone the US. Its current
crime rates alone have it at a general 59%, which is only moderate, but still far from low. Nevertheless, this understandably keeps people at a distance, at times even to the point that tourists are also apprehensive to even visit the place. Though it's still worth noting that Miami is not entirely dangerous, and that it still has many neighborhoods, the level of crime here remains a major concern for many people.
Extremely Expensive Place to Live
To say that
Miami has high living costs is an understatement. It shouldn't come as no surprise that Miami is among the most expensive cities in the US. The city's unique brand of glamour and luxury serves as a major draw for many folks, after all, especially those who could afford the commonly affluent lifestyle here. So, just how expensive it is to stay in Miami? The median average rent here alone is already at a whopping $2,800.00 per month, much higher than the nation-wide average, which is $1,750.00. If that's not proof that Miami is more expensive than most of the country, then what is?
Gets Overcrowded Often
Miami also proves that overtourism does exist and that it's a major problem in the city. You may think that living in a popular tourist destination is a good thing, and you're not entirely wrong there, but it does have its major cons. The biggest one is how crowded the city tends to get, especially
Miami's central neighborhoods, which also tend to be its most desirable areas. It undoubtedly cool to live and work in Downtown Miami, but if you have to contend with hordes of tourists day after day, it would definitely exhaust you to no end.
Not for the Faint of Heart
From its moderate to high crime rates to its common bouts of overtourism, Miami is truly not for the faint of heart. And those are just one part of the city locals have to contend with. There's also Mother at play here, too, what with all the wild animals that tend to sneak up at you when you least suspect them. Have you heard of those viral stories wherein people suddenly find alligators in the backyards? Or snakes that appear on their porches? Well, they're true and more common than you think! Depending on where you're staying in Miami, you might have to deal with man-eating mammals more often than criminals!
Much like any other major city, there are pros and cons to moving to Miami. Relocating to this glamorous metropolis may seem like a great idea, but it’s worth looking into what the city is truly like before you make the jump!
