Moving to Miami – Things to Know and Discover

What that means for the locals is that the city generates a lot of its revenue from tourism, hospitality, and accommodation services. It is never a bad idea to engage in a bit of research about the place you are relocating to, and this guide may be a good place to start. Keep in mind that it’s one of the best cities to raise a family in Florida, so coming here with kids is an excellent choice.

Why Moving to Miami Is a Good Idea

A long shoreline with a lot of beautiful beaches, a warm climate, outstanding schools, a huge job market, great food, and nightlife – what’s not to love about it? While many of you may be concerned about the safety of your future neighborhood, you should know that it is in no way different from all the other big cities. Crime rates are close to the national average, and the same thing goes for Miami’s traffic.

If you are looking for some house hunting tips to help you find just the perfect place, you should know that there have been some changes in the last few years when it comes to the top locations to rent or buy an apartment since millennials are gravitating more and more towards the center and Miami’s downtown area.

The art movement is also growing stronger every year, meaning that Miami is turning out to be so much more than the lovely beach, the neon lights and a high number of flashy clubs. Miami’s cultural scene is something to brag about among friends from other places.

What makes Miami very appealing, besides the obvious things, is also the job market, which is big, strong, and competitive, so you should struggle too much with finding a job before moving to another state. Let’s learn more about Miami’s job market and the high number of work opportunities.

The Job Market Offers Many Possibilities

If you don’t have a job to start off here, here’s some good news – you can find work in no time here. The unemployment rate has been in a constant decline for the past ten years, and the business and industry are growing steadily. Predominant sectors are tourism, trade, manufacturing, construction, architecture, interior design and real estate. So don’t worry if you’re not relocating for a job. The chances are you will surely find one.

Weather Is One of the Strong Points

How do 248 sunny days in a year sound like? If you like the sun, a bit hotter Mediterranean climate, and pretty much no winter, then you’re in a perfect place. What may be considered as winter is pretty much warm as opposed to NYC, for example. Although it is hot, the area gets some kind of precipitation 129 days of the year, so if you are moving with your dog, be prepared to spend a lot of time in local parks playing fetch. Welcome to the land of never-ending summer – there are literally zero snowy days here so the best time of the year to move here is anytime. No need to worry about winter blues and relocation depression.

Miami Is a Lovely Place to Raise a Family

Life is easy-going in one of the best cities to raise a family in the US. The weather is great, the job opportunities are abundant, the nature is beautiful and the beach is never far away. Besides living near the beach, what can be attractive for many young people and couples with kids are great educational facilities.

If you are relocating with kids or you want to start a family, you will have many things to offer to your children, even if you consider relocating to the suburbs. Besides the basic education, your kids can enjoy many after school activities that can improve their chances to grow professionally in the long run. Besides sports, there are many possibilities for extracurricular science classes, beginner IT courses, drama and acting classes, dance classes, etc. So, living in the Magic City comes with a wide range of advantages for the little ones, too.

Other Reasons for Moving to Miami

Statistics say that some of the most important reasons to move here are very contradictory to popular belief. So if you were thinking about making this metropolis your future home, consider these statistics:

• Affordable real estate. Yes, if you thought that the Magic City is on the upper scale with real estate prices, you were partially wrong. What that means is that you could actually find many affordable locations that weren’t so attractive in the past, but since the area is constantly developing, they are much more convenient now and offer a great quality of life at a reasonable price. The other thing is that average wages make it more than possible to afford it.
• No estate, income, and heritage taxes make it a lot easier to save money. While this can usually turn out to be quite a strain on your budget, it won’t be an obstacle here.
• Openness to new cultures may be the primary reason why this town has become a global metropolis. The Magic City was always a melting pot for many cultures, and that culminated with the most colorful culture and cityscape that welcomes people from all around the world with open arms.
• A great number of active adult communities make it a lot easier if you’re moving alone. While they are a great way to meet people that share your interests, they also have a great impact on the whole community, welfare, ecology, minority groups, personal development, etc. No matter if you move during the holidays or any other time of the year, there will always be some activity where you can meet new people.
• Exceptional healthcare with world-class hospitals and top of the field medical experts can be a decisive factor for many to move here.

How Much Does Living in Miami Cost?

At first glance, sure, it is above the national average, but that is only if you scratch the surface. What is important to note is that wages make it possible to live a high-quality life. While you could find upscale neighborhoods with much higher rents, like in any big city, you can also find many mid-range and even cheaper neighborhoods that are beautiful, well connected, and offer a lot of amenities. Just like in any other big place, what you won’t lack is the possibility to choose. For example, you could find an apartment to rent from as low as $700 per month and upwards in one of the best neighborhoods in Miami.

The Cost of Living – Not as Expensive as You May Think

Now for the actual breakdown of the cost of living. Note that these are average values and they can go slightly up or down a lot depending on your lifestyle, location and preferences.

• The average rent is $1,800 for a one-bedroom apartment in the center, but as we already said, it can go anywhere from $700 and upwards. For a three-bedroom apartment in the center, you would have to pay $3,330 on average.
• A monthly pass for public transport is $112.50
• A meal in an inexpensive restaurant is in the $10-$20 range per person, while you would have to pay $65 for a three-meal course in a mid-range restaurant for two.
• Monthly utilities are $120 for a 915 square feet apartment.
• The average monthly consumer basket is priced at $3,118.

Miamians Save a Lot of Money on Taxes

What is very convenient here is that you won’t have to pay some of the taxes that could cost you a lot in some other states. Florida doesn’t have an income tax, heritage tax, or estate tax. As for the other taxes, the sales tax is 7%,  while the property tax is around 1.05%. Of course, there are other taxes for the gross benefit, which can be even 30%, and some other taxes for corporations and big businesses, but the State of Florida is generally known for its beneficial tax policy.

Tips to Consider If You Would Like to Save Money

If you’re at a point in your life when you would like to save some money, you can do that here, too. It is all about optimization and a bit of adjustment.  You can also save on moving costs by opting for the cheapest way to move out of state and learning a few moving tips on how to reduce costs when moving. These are some more options you have:

• Find a rental that is near your workplace. Even if it may be a bit more expensive than in the other part of the town, you will save money in the long term on the gas for your car or for the other means of transport you would need every day.
• Find a roommate. This way, you won’t have to move into a smaller home and won’t have to compromise a lot on the location. There are some great websites and apps that can connect you with your perfect flatmate.
• If you set up your life right, you won’t even need a car, you could use a bike, metro, trolley or even take a walk from home to work or a supermarket.
• Buy used but well-preserved furniture to start with. Many people are relocating someplace else or downsizing, or even buying new furniture and selling their old one. This is also a great tip if you want to avoid packing furniture that you don’t need nor use anymore.  You could always sell it if it’s in good condition or even donate your well-preserved furniture.
• The rule of thumb is that you’re not wealthy enough to buy cheap things, it’s better to save up and buy quality pieces once, than cheap things more than a few times for the same price. Be smart and see what is worth investing a bit more money into.
• You can always find some better offers for your groceries in Freshmarket on Thursdays when they have sales, and for all the rest, visit Bogo.
• When you want to dine out, you should do it on workdays, since you’ll pay less than on the weekend, and there are many happy-hour options.

How to Get Around the City Without Stress

After relocation, you’ll realize that some things can be even more stressful than the moving stress itself. As in any big and buzzing community, you could run into a traffic jam if your car is your primary choice for commuting. If you ask people who live in Los Angeles, their traffic is the worst, in New York, they’ll tell you the same thing.

Even if you can’t ship your car cross country at the moment, you still can manage to get around. What is great here is that you have many options to avoid road rage. You have a great metro network, biking trails, trolleys, Uber and Uberpool, as well as the bus. As you can see, your choices are plenty, so there is a slim chance that you won’t find the one that works best for you.

Brace Yourself for Heavy Traffic

According to a recent study, Miami is among 20 US cities with the heaviest traffic, so you should be prepared for it. Naturally, you are most likely to get stuck in a traffic jam during the rush hours. If you decide to rely on your car, you should know that the average driver spends about 30 minutes in traffic. Luckily, there are always ways to escape traffic congestion. If you are not in much of a hurry, hop on your bike or go on foot. You won’t waste your time stuck in traffic, it is better for your health, and you get to enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way.

According to a recent study, Miami is among 20 US cities with the heaviest traffic, so you should be prepared for it. Naturally, you are most likely to get stuck in a traffic jam during the rush hours. If you decide to rely on your car, you should know that an average driver spends about 30 minutes in traffic. Luckily, there are always ways to escape traffic congestion. If you are not in much of a hurry, hop on your bike or go on foot. You won’t waste your time stuck in traffic, it is better for your health, and you get to enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way.

Where to Start Your Culinary Adventures?

Since it is such a colorful metropolis we’re talking about, you won’t lack a choice on where to eat out. There are a few restaurants, dives, diners and even food trucks that have a pretty good reputation and tradition. Whether you are moving to another state alone or with your family, we suggest that you start your culinary trip here, and discover many more along the way:

• If you moved here from New York, Upland would make you feel right at home since this restaurant originated in the Big Apple
• Zak the Baker is not your regular bakery. Although bread is the main product, and many top restaurants actually buy it here, you could also try many pastries that the bakery is known for, in addition to salads, soups, and hummus. Oh, and it’s all kosher.
• While Marion may sound french, the restaurant actually serves some interesting New-American dishes with a strong Asian influence.
• Joe’s Stone Crab has been around for more than 100 years and there is a good reason for it. Their reputation is spotless and their dishes are Michelin star-quality.
• If you are up for a quick bite with a bit of class and sass, La Sandwicherie won’t disappoint you. This is a French-style gourmet sandwich bar with more than affordable prices for the quality it serves.
• Let’s say you and your partner are moving in together, if you want to take them somewhere to celebrate, the Mignonette is our top pick. This upscale restaurant serves great food with an accent on fresh seafood.
• Byblos is the real-deal diner that has something for all the tastes and preferences. You can find many vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly options. Talk about diversity.

Where to Go Out?

Magic City is well known all over the world for its vibrant clubbing scene and nightlife. Many people actually come as tourists here for the taste of it. The best things in Miami happen when the sun goes down. It is a place that lives for the night and it has many options to choose from. That’s why when you unpack after the move you should check out some of them:

• LIV Miami
• Club Space
• E11even
• Floyd
• Twist
• Story
• The Broken Shaker
• Lost Boy
• The Anderson
• Ball and Chain
• Mama Tried

What may make your night even better is that, since this is a city that lives by night, you have many great places to eat at all hours. There’s nothing like a good meal after a great party.

The parties here never stop, so whether you feel like going out at 5 p.m. or midnight, you will have plenty of options. If you don’t want to go home at 3 a.m., you can head to a laid-back lounge. In addition to ultra-hot nightclubs, some of the best in the world, you can have an amazing time at beach parties. Bars and late-night restaurants are just as popular, it is up to you to decide where to go first.

International and Cross-Country Moving Tips

Now, if you are all set to go, you should organize the whole relocation process, on your own or with the help of recommended and top-rated Miami cross-country movers who know all tips and tricks for packing. They will also come fully equipped with packing materials for moving. You have to pack your belongings, like glassware and clothes, arrange the transport and find your new apartment. If you’re organizing a long-distance move, there are many things you should consider to avoid common moving mistakes, including the necessary paperwork and maybe some help from real estate agents if you can’t visit the location before you move.

A smart thing to do would be not to bring all your possessions, especially if you are not relocating permanently. Declutter and use storage for the items you don’t need in your new home, at least not right away. You could even donate some of your belongings and do a good thing while getting rid of the excess. The volume and weight of your belongings will directly affect the price of transport. Speaking of price, you should also take some time to plan your moving budget and figure out the best way to reduce relocation expenses.

Are You Ready For a New Exciting Chapter in Your Life?

All in all, when you decided where you should move, you choose right. Moving to Miami will be one new and exciting step in your life, and we are sure you’ll enjoy all that this place has to offer no matter if you are relocating for a relationship or in pursuit of knowledge. It is a big city with a big heart that welcomes people from around the globe with open arms and an open mind. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to change the address and start this exciting adventure.