What to Know Before Moving to Miami

Miami is at once a tropical paradise and a growing metropolis, a city fueled by cultural diversity, all shaping its own distinct style. With miles of beaches and skyscrapers aplenty and a rich mom and pop businesses scene with buzzy tech taking hold, Miami could easily find itself topping a list of the most interesting places to live in the United States. 

What Is it Like to Live in Miami?

To imagine what it’s like to live in Miami, consider its unique geography at the very tip of Florida’s peninsula. It juts out into the Caribbean, geographically closer to Cuba and The Bahamas than any major American city. A road trip out of Florida requires a full day’s worth of driving. These factors all contribute to Miami’s uniqueness. It is one hundred percent its own place with its own culture, a one-of-a-kind blend of the American South with several Latin countries, located in what many consider “the Capital of Latin America.” 

Miami is a vibrant tropical city that, by most standards, is still a baby. Just a few decades ago, Miami was still just a sleepy beach town with retirees and a nascent seedy underbelly. Today, it’s a fast-growing major American city with international businesses, world-class food, excellent hospitality options, and some major design world cred all along with the natural beauty of a subtropical oasis. 

Related: The Inside Scoop on Living in Miami

What to Do in Miami

There are endless things to do in Miami, as any local will tell you. A weekend in Miami might include restaurants (you can pick from celebrity chefs, to hole-in-the-wall authentic cuisine from just about anywhere in the world), beach-going, yacht hopping, nature strolling, and enjoying the city’s cultural, art, and architectural offerings. Whatever you decide to do in Miami, set aside time to spend outdoors – check out Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, or even just stroll along Ocean Drive for a blend of Art Deco architecture and world-class people watching.    

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How to Blend in Like a Local 

For the most part, Miami is a driving city. If you don’t own a car, prepare to call a ride share service like Uber or Lyft on the reg, or rent a car so that you can properly hop on the highways and see the many areas that Miami has to offer. 

Don’t just stay on South Beach. While this area serves as the backdrop of many Miami films and television shows, the city extends far off Miami Beach and into the mainland, where neighborhoods like Wynwood, the Design District, Little Haiti, and Little River develop day by day. Check out Miami’s more historic regions in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and MiMo. Then, head down to Redlands and Homestead to dip into Miami’s interesting agricultural scene. 

Feel at home when you move to Miami by knowing you are never overdressed or underdressed, anything goes. To be transparent though, people in Miami do like to dress up, don’t be shocked if the dress code feels swanky everywhere, including the grocery store. 

Keep in mind that the heat and humidity form the number one concern when leaving the house each day.

Finding a Job

Relocating tech companies and a strong cryptocurrency presence fueled by our mayor’s interest drives the burgeoning Miami job market. Historically, Miami made a name for itself as an international banking hub and a major player in the art world; both industries offer huge potential for those looking to move to Miami. 

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Miami is high, due in part to a thriving real estate market that was already expensive before the pandemic. It ballooned even more in price as workers relocated to Miami to work remotely from a place where it’s summer year round. 

The Miami Housing Scene

If you’re moving to Miami, you can find everything from an old Florida bungalow to a penthouse by a world-famous architect; that’s one of the most beautiful parts about the city. Popular residential areas include a mix of housing, and the city’s rich architecture means there’s something here to suit your personal style.

To jumpstart your housing search, use our Miami Neighborhood Guides to discover your ideal location, then search for some of the best luxury apartments in the city.

Find Your Dream Apartment in Miami

Now that you know what to expect when moving to Miami, try apartment hunting with AptAmigo, where you’ll receive 1-on-1 support throughout the entire process. Simply tell us your preferences, and we’ll compile a list of buildings for you to choose from. We’ll also schedule your tours, arrange your rideshares to each place, and accompany you to make sure all your questions get answered. And, believe it or not, it’s completely free!

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