The process of Moving to Miami is a lot simpler than you might think. All you need to do is deal with your legal paperwork and find a home in the city. If you're already a legal US resident/citizen, you'd barely need to do the first one.
For the most part, it is. Miami is a great place to live. Why do you think senior citizens retire here? Or why do big families move here? It's because they know there are plenty of reasons to call Miami their new home. They include:
The sunny weather
The beautiful beaches
The different cultures
The diverse communities
The lively nightlife
The nearby theme parks
With a current population of 464,544 people, Miami is one of the major cities in the US. This is thanks in large part to the city's proximity to Latin America. Miami is famously home to one of the biggest Latin American communities in the country, so much so that the place practically feels like it's in a Spanish-speaking country instead of the US. As such, it's also become another major American business hub. Weather-wise, the city is known for its warm climate. Its hottest month is August, which has an average temperature of 84 °F (29 °C). On the flip side, its coldest month is January, which has an average low temperature of about 63°F (17°C).
Miami is among the most famous cities in the US. It's a bustling metropolis with lots to do, lots to see, and lots to enjoy. It's no wonder Hollywood loves making movies and TV shows set in this city. Or how singers love to namedrop it in their chart-topping tracks. If you were to ask someone what Miami is famous for, they'd typically answer
The Miami Beaches
The iconic Ocean Drive
The huge Latin American community
The fun nightlife scene
The setting for “Scarface” (1983)
The infamous former Versace mansion
You'd be surprised at how much you can do in Miami, even for just a day. You already know about the city's beloved beaches, right? Why not enjoy a day or two just frolicking in the seaside and soaking up some sunshine? Little Havana is another great place to stay. You can indulge in authentic Latin American cuisines, learn all about the different Hispanic cultures, and dance the night away too! Up for an adventure instead? Explore the Fairchild Tropical Garden when you have the time. It's among the best green spaces in the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If there's one thing you need to be careful about when moving to Miami—or any other American city—it's your legal status. If you're coming from another country, make sure you get to stay in the US legally. And the only way to do that is to apply for the right US Visa. The country issues different immigrant visas to those looking to work, study, or stay with family in the US. To start a new life in Miami, you need to get the right visa and then, after a couple of years, be eligible for a Green Card.
Only when you're coming from a different country. And yes, that applies to all non-US citizens. Even if, for example, you're eligible for the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, that's only for tourists. If you're moving to Miami, however, you need to apply for the right immigrant visa.
The process differs from country to country. However, there are a few steps that apply to all countries. They include:
Filling up an application form.
Paying the visa application fee.
Submitting the list of requirements.
Accomplishing the in-person interview.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Part of why it's great to live in Miami is the fact that you can easily commute here. Miami's public transport is both easy and efficient. You can hail a cab off the street, the buses go everywhere, and there are multiple transit systems in place. The Metrorail system, for example, travels all over the city and other parts of Miami-Dade County. The Metromover, on the other hand, goes to all parts of Downtown Miami and the nearby districts.
As already mentioned, Miami offers various ways to get around. Apart from the usual taxis and buses, there's the Metrorail system, the Metromover in the Downtown area, and the old-style trolley carts too. The best way to navigate all these is to buy an EASY Card, the city's official transit pass. It's a reloadable E-card that lets you access most of Miami's public transport systems.
Apart from all that, you'd be happy to know that you can use transportation apps in Miami too. Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft operate in Miami. They've become a more common way to get around, arguably even more so than taxis nowadays. They are more expensive though, as these services add extra fees to the total price of your ride.
Yes, it is. Though some areas are safer than others, you can still walk around the city with little to no problem at all. But don't underestimate just how big the city is. If you're in a rush to get somewhere, you'd do well to make use of the city’s public transport.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Despite the strong stereotypes associated with Miami, the city itself is incredibly diverse. All the neighborhoods in Miami have their specific charms, quirks, and unique offerings, as well as suitability for specific types of people. The Upper East Side, for instance, is for the urban sophisticate. Think chic galleries filled with modern art or high fashion shopping for days. Brickell, on the other hand, keeps up the city lifestyle down to a tee. It's one of those districts that prove why Miami is referred to as the “Manhattan of the South.” And for those who just want to live out a relaxing life by the sea, Key Biscayne is the coastal neighborhood for you!
The best places to stay in Miami depend on what you're looking for. Let's say you're a creative hipster, for instance. You'd naturally want to stay in a more artistic part of town, right? Then you'll love the Design District or Wynwood. If you love going out on the town, however, then you'll love Downtown Miami. This is where all the action is at! Fancy yourself as a refined sophisticate? Check out the Upper East Side or the nearby town of Aventura. They're the most affluent parts of Miami. And of course, you can't forget about Little Havana! This is the best place for anyone who wants to stay immersed in the colorful cultures of the city.
Regardless of your specific lifestyle, there's no doubt that Coral Gables, Upper East Side, Brickell, Bal Habour, and Wynwood are some of the best places to live in Miami. The Design District and Downtown Area are good too, but they're more for the single, cosmopolitan types who are into nightlife and the trendy lifestyle. If prefer a quieter life in Miami, however, then you'd do well to check out the aforementioned neighborhoods.
Edgewater, Wynwood, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove are among the best neighborhoods for anyone living in Miami with family. Some of these are the suburbs of the city; practically built for families to live a fairly quiet life in the bustling metropolis.
Source: Flickr.com/ Steven Vance
Miami is a pricey city. This is a fact those moving to Miami have to contend with. Though it's far from the most expensive city in the US, it's not that affordable either. The living costs in Miami range from mid to high. For some context, Numbeo reports that a single adult spends about $1,305.40 per month in the city on top of their rent. A family of four, on the other hand, spends around $4,760.10 per month on top of their rent. If you think living in the city is going to cost less than these figures, you're in for a big surprise.
Beyond the estimated costs already laid out, let's focus on the city's common monthly rental fees. Renting a luxury apartment in Miami will cost you a minimum of $1,600.00 to a maximum of $7,000.00 per month. These prices are practically comparable to those in New York City and Los Angeles, two of the most expensive cities in the US!
Yes, it is. Though it’s not as expensive as New York or LA, it’s pricey enough that you’ll need to budget yourself wisely every month.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
With a current 3.7% unemployment rate, the US job market is enjoying a bit of stability right now. This gives hope to those moving to Miami, or any other American city, to look for a job. Fortunately, Miami is a big business hub. Since it's the city closest to Central and South America and its population is dominated by a huge Hispanic community, Miami has become the central city for Latin American businesses. From financial institutions to TV stations, these businesses help keep the city a huge player in America's bigger business game.
When looking for a job in the US, specifically in Miami, it's important to know what industries it specializes in. This city, for example, excels in real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, renewable energy, media, the hospitality industry, and of course, tourism. Expect Miami to have multiple job openings in these fields compared to others.
The short answer is yes, it is. The more complicated answer, however, is that it's not always gonna be the high-paying job that you want. Usually, those kinds of positions require you to meet specific criteria or reach certain educational achievements.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If you're moving to Miami with your entire family, you'll also have to deal with your kids' schooling. Fortunately, it's not that big of an issue. Regardless of how Miami might seem to the rest of the country or the world, the city boasts high-quality education, from public schools to private institutions. It helps that the city openly relies on technology to help advance its educational system. Miami is one of the few cities that has ventured off into the digital frontier in terms of education.
There are many great schools in Miami, both private and public as well as local and international. A few notable names that have gained prominence in the State include the School for Advanced Studies, the Archimedean Upper Conservatory Charter School, Design and Architecture Senior High School, International Studies Preparatory Academy, and iPrep Academy, among many others. These are institutions worth remembering when choosing a school for your kid someday.
Yes, it does. The Miami Dade County Public School, for example, is a fine institution where students are safe and provided with high-quality education. The School for Advanced Studies is also a public school, one that prepares its students to get into some of the finest universities in the country. Don't forget about the Mast Academy too! It's a school that consistently ranks high among the best institutions in the country and the entire state.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Even though American healthcare remains an extremely polarizing political issue in the US, it's not that difficult to get coverage here, especially when you're employed. Whether you want to rely on Medicare or decide to get private insurance from companies like Allianz Care or Cignal Global, you won't have to drown in debt when you or anyone in your family needs medical treatment. At the end of the day, you simply need some sort of coverage to gain access to the country's healthcare system.
Miami's finest hospitals are some of the best in all of Florida. A few of which are even recognized internationally. The Cleveland Clinic Weston, for example, excels in neurosurgery among many other medical fields. The Memorial Regional Hospital, on the other hand, has one of the most revered pediatric departments in the state. And of course, there's the famous Mount Sinai Hospital, which boasts an impressive track record of curing patients that most other hospitals can only dream of achieving.
Don't let the TV crime dramas or violent video games fool you! While Miami isn't the safest city in the world, it's also not the most dangerous. Not by a long shot! Miami's crime rates are moderate at best. They're not as high as other cities, ironically even those of Los Angeles and New York City. Currently, the city's general crime rate is 59.13%, which is considered moderate. Its rate of increasing crimes, however, is 63.69%, which is considered high.
The short answer is yes, it is. Miami enjoys a high 64.63% safety rate during the day. This is considered high. At night, the rate falls to 41.91%, which is still fairly moderate. So all in all, Miami is still safe at night.
To stay safe in Miami, you'd do well to
Be careful of who you trust.
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Keep your belongings secure.
Always be accompanied by locals when going out at night.
Another of the best ways to stay safe in Miami is to avoid its most dangerous areas. These include Overtown, Allapattah, Little Haiti, Model City, West Glagler, and parts of Downtown Miami.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Before anything else, you need to understand the American tax system! You should already be brushed up on this before you settle down in Miami (or in any American city for that matter!). The US takes taxes very seriously, and even if you're a foreign resident, you're not exempt from getting in trouble with the law if you make the slightest mistake. A few general things to remember is that your income tax rate will depend on how much you earn in a year. And any property you own, especially when used for commercial purposes, is subject to tax as well.
As with any other American city, the taxes in Miami are generally three types: income tax, property tax, and sales tax. Your income tax rate depends on how much you earn in a year, ranging from a minimum of 10% to 37% in income tax brackets. The sales tax rate, on the other hand, is a flat 7%. This is the total of the Florid state and Miami-Dade County country tax rates. For the property tax rate, Miami follows a flat rate of 2.06%.
Before ending this Miami relocation guide, here are a few tips to help you settle down in the city.
Choose the right neighborhood for you.
Open a local American bank account just as you get to the city.
Always set a strict budget for yourself.
Join a local American mobile network and get a SIM card for your phone.
Enroll in a language school in Miami to improve your English or learn Spanish.
Study up on different American social customs and Latin American customs.
Make friends and build a strong network.
Learn proper American business etiquette for work.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If you're moving to Miami soon, perhaps this relocation guide can help. It details practically all the basics of relocating to this famous metropolis, with important info on how safe it is, how to find work here, and more.
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