Well, every area has plusses and minuses that we never see when we vist on vacation. I really like the constant heat and the sunshine. My hubby gets sick from it and we are moving to a more temperate climate. Neither of us like the constant tourists as most of them seem to be rude and crude. But it is a constant stream of income for most people. The flavor of Miami is definatly Cuban. No doubt about it. Spanish is the language of Miami. The women there are gorgeous. And the food is spicy. I speak a little spanish, my hubby does not and he feels a little left out sometimes. It is VERY VERY expensive for insurance of all types. Boca is full of retired Jewish people. Not what I would reccomend for a single guy. If you move here, rent for a while to make sure you like it. Miami has the 3rd highest crime rate in the US. That alone would give me pause to living there. But I like New Orleans and that is number one! I am not a city person. We lived in Marathon in the Keys for 7 years and I am very sad to leave. The main industry here is fishing. I like Key West too. But that is a little gay for straight people. I like Sarasota, St. Augustine, Sanibel Island, Key West and the Everglades. We are moving to Amelia Island but would have preferred St. Augustine because it has a college and is a younger area. I can't give you a black and white answer since I do not know you personally.
very well said by bobcathy above....it really is a matter of personal preference. I always tell people that Miami (and the Beaches of course) is like a virus...some people get infected and some dont! While it is crowded and has all the ill's of a city, I have always lived in a big city so I am used to it. As for crime....I came down here and bought property in south beach when it was about at its worst.....and never had a problem.....meanwhile....15 years of living in "great areas" of Chicago, and had numerous incidents...so go figure. Some people hate the latin culture, some love it.....spend time in florida and have a good look around....its all a little different! Surfside, Bal Harbour and Aventura are good bets to look around if you like a little of this and a little of that.....not that extreme.
Please attack Don Bright in other thread or create one if you like. I do not think he read this one. You are too negative to anything about Don Bright. I do not think he is a bad person. Let's keep your post here with in content or get a life.
Generic has a nember of office in the South Florida area. I just moved to Boca from NYC only a year ago and I absoltuely love it here. Alex
I like South Florida a lot. I would reccomend it. Miami is crowded but it is the center of the universe in South Florida. All sorts of stuff to do day or night. And the weather is great all of the time. For a single dude it would be heaven. Stick to South Beach as North Miami Beach is a pile of old Jewish ladies in walkers. Or the downtown city of Miami on the Bay would be good too. My husband hates South Florida. He says everyone is slow and it is too %$#*@# HOT! He hates the tourists and especially Miami since it is so crowded and the drivers are just plain NUTS! And there are always traffic accidents all over and the traffic is terrible. He wishes He can't wait to leave. Key West is a place to be if you like a VERY laid back and tropical town. Bunch of old hippies, artists and gays live there. Slow and nothing is done on time....... But the tourists and the cruise ships are ruining it. And it is ridiculously expensive to live there. That is why we settled on Marathon. We are both origianally from the NYC area. Now, I do like Manhattan and Hoboken as alternate choices for single men. But the weather stinks most of the time! Guess why we moved?
bobcathy1, you say that miami has the third highest crime rate. but where is the crime located. in some cities the crime is sometimes almost entirely concentrated in the poor/low income neighbourhoods. while other areas of the city are crime-free, quiet and clean. i suspect that the miami area is like that - the good and the bad areas. am i correct? if yes, what are the better residential areas in greater miami, where you can walk at night and not expect to get mugged? thanks.
Reid I live in the area.....Bay Harbor, Bal Harbour, Surfside are 3 towns on the north end of Miami Beach, very safe, they have their own police forces, likewise beautiful Pinecrest to the south. Coral Gables, Cocounut Grove are hip, lively safe areas but border on the urban mass, so crazy stuff does happen there. Likewise Miami Beach draws tourists from all over the world.....and the scum that preys on them...Keep in mind....Miami the city is considered the "poorest" in the USA. At the same time, the city and the surrounding areas have multimillion dollar homes and apartments, and the vast wealth that inhabit them. People come here from south america with not a dime in their pocket, and the majority work honest jobs like dogs to make it......a small percentage prey on others. The areas to avoid are the ghetto and NW miami.....but you probably wont go there anyway. Ive been down here 18 years...part of it part time.....the last 9 full time and have NEVER had a problem and I go everywhere. But then again I am a real Chicago boy and in life, like in the market, I try never to have my back to the door!
Not having lived in Miami myself....I would say South Beach is nice and there are a lot of very wealthy islands dotting the Miami area. I am more a specialist in the Keys.
Some of the nicer neighborhoods are located next to crime and drug infested hoods.....Miami Beach has it all.... Money, Women, Drugs, Crime......I have lived on the beach and unless you are young and or have money to swing a big dick (Expensive Beach Condo )...you best look elsewhere for your money's worth.....peace