If you’re thinking about moving to Miami, Florida, you’re not alone. In recent years, increasing numbers of people from around the United States have been selling their homes in exchange for their dream lives in Florida.
From 2010 to 2020, Florida’s population has increased at twice the rate of the nation’s average population growth. The state gained 2.7 million people, and recent counts reveal that about 900 people per day are moving to Florida right now.
Are we surprised, though? Florida is an exciting place to live, and Miami has a rich culture, famous beaches, and party animals. It has graced the latest headlines over its efforts to become the next Silicon Valley, drawing tech leaders from the West coast.
Looking to become a part of this wild and free city? In this guide, we’ll explain moving to Miami pros and cons and prepare you for the lifestyle before you make the switch.
Choose the Best Neighborhood
Miami isn’t the biggest city in the United States, but it’s certainly one of the most popular. While it only spans about 55 square miles, it is home to almost half a million people. Despite being a smaller city, it has one of the biggest personalities.
Miami also has all the same issues as other cities: some areas are luxurious and rich beyond belief, and then there are areas of high crime and poverty. Of course, there are places in the middle where you can find a comfortable home that fits your lifestyle.
Moving to Miami, therefore, is all about doing your research. Picking the right neighborhood is key to successful moving and thriving in the city.
If you’re looking to move to North Miami, you can check out Opa-Locka, Westview Biscayne Bay, or Golden Glades. Western Miami holds Little Havana, and a popular neighborhood called Coral Gables.
For a comfortable family-friendly neighborhood, try looking into:
- Brickell
- Pinecrest
- Coconut Grove
- Weston
- Parkland
When choosing a neighborhood, keep in mind your lifestyle and work schedule. Many areas aren’t safe for walking alone or at night, and others might be too loud and touristy for your liking.
Once you’ve decided on a neighborhood, you can check out these homes for sale.
Prepare for the Weather
If you come from an area that has a fairly benign climate, you’re in for a shock. Florida draws millions of people for vacations because it is the “Sunny State,” but that title leaves a lot of important information out. The state is known for extreme weather, such as 100+ degree temperatures, maxing out the UV scale, major hurricanes, rainy seasons, and more.
Miami, in particular, is an area of high risk for hurricane season and often has storm surge problems. Keep all that in mind when you are looking for a neighborhood and touring homes.
You won’t have to worry about shoveling snow, but you will want to make sure you and your new home are hurricane-proof. You’ll also want to check the city’s map of flood zones and typical high-risk areas.
Don’t fret! Miami’s population has been thriving and loving their home because they’re used to the weather. Once you settle in, you’ll be like any other Floridian.
Plan for Tourist Season
One thing to realize about moving to a vacation destination is that you’ll have to get used to tourists. As with any other hot spot on the coast, Miami has its times of the year where it’s inundated with visitors.
Tourists are great news for local businesses and the city, which get huge bumps in their income. On the other hand, residents might become annoyed about how busy the city gets. Traffic gets worse and beaches become crowded.
If you’re moving your business down to Miami with you or looking to open up a new business, it’s very important to research tourist seasons in the city and prepare for their effect on your income. You might want to work longer hours and hire more employees when the tourist season is booming, then cut back when things get slow.
You might also want to consider living as close as possible to your store or office since the commute can be frustrating.
Alter Your Budget
The cost of living in Miami is understandable considering the location and popularity. According to South Florida Business Journal, you should expect to pay on average $2,500 in monthly expenses. With costs like these, Miami ranks higher in expense than four major California cities, so you must take a second look at your budget and financial plan.
Moving to Miami without a job is a very risky endeavor. For most cases, it’s highly recommended to secure a job before you move to avoid falling behind on bills.
Most people need two sources of income to afford to live there, such as working a second job or sharing expenses with a spouse or roommate. On the bright side, Florida does not take income tax out of your salary! Additionally, Miami averages 37.7% less expensive overall than NYC, so moving south is a great decision for you.
Moving Your Business
If you’re moving your business down with you to Miami, you might find yourself needing to alter your operations a bit. For instance, you’ll need to factor in tourist season as previously mentioned. Additionally, you’ll want to consider staying open later like the rest of Miami’s businesses.
Because of the expense of living in Miami, there is no shortage of people looking for part-time work to supplement their income. This is great news for your business, especially during busy seasons when you’ll need an extra hand. Further, there’s no shortage of Spanish speakers, so you should strongly consider hiring a few for your team until you can learn to speak the language yourself.
Florida is a great place to open up your business because the state is very friendly to small business entrepreneurs. In fact, many business owners have chosen to move their operations out of Northern states and into Florida in recent years.
Be Prepared When Moving to Miami
Now that you know all the basics of moving to Miami, you can prepare yourself to take all the difficulties in stride and enjoy your new life. Moving can be a stressful journey, but once you’re settled in, you’ll never look back.
If you need more advice about moving, especially with a business in tow, check out more resources on our blog!
