Living in Miami Pros and Cons List

Any time you are considering a new place to live, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of the decision. Deciding whether Miami is the right city for you is no different. Thanks to its melting pot of diversity and prime location, there are a number of reasons why a person should move to Miami.

However, many of the same factors that make Miami such a fun place to live in also make the city a very difficult one to move to. Before you pack up your life and head to the Sunshine State’s second largest city to make a new residence for yourself, be sure to consider these pros and cons.

What Are the Pros of Living in Miami?

1. No State Taxes.
One of the main reasons why people move to the state of Florida and Miami specifically, is to escape the tyranny of state income tax. Instead of being forced to give up nearly 50 percent of your earnings to the state government, you can pocket the extra cash.

This is great for those who live in states where they do not agree with their tax proceeds are used or for people who are struggling to build a sufficient nest egg for retirement. It is an adjustment, but one that most upper class citizens are more than happy to make.

2. Vibrant Professional Sports Scene.
If you are a fan of professional sports, there are few cities who can offer the same amenities as Miami. If you’re an NBA fan, you can head down to American Airlines Arena and catch the three time NBA champion Miami Heat in action. More into the pigskin side of things? Sun Life Stadium is the place to be, as you watch the Miami Dolphins.

All four major American sports are represented, as the Miami Marlins and their brand new spanking new stadium provide a great night out for MLB fans and the NHL’S Florida Panthers also represent the city of Miami, with a rink that is conveniently located in the Miami metropolitan area.

3. Weather/Beaches.
There is a reason why so many of Miami’s residents are transplants from colder regions. Once these newcomers get a taste of Miami’s consistently beautiful weather and gorgeous, they typically do not want to leave. It’s called the Sunshine State for a very good reason.

No matter what season of the year it is in the rest of the country, Miami has beaches that never close. You will be hard pressed to find another city with better weather and more fun in the sun on the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

4. Excellent City To Purchase Property.
Looking to move to a new city, one that is also a buyer’s market? Look no further than Miami, Florida. The city is in a constant state of development, which means that there is always a slew of new, moderately priced property from which to choose from.

It is a great city for families who reside in the upper middle class to move to, in order to get the most bang for their home purchasing dollar. The more money you have in Miami, the nicer the house you are able to buy.

What Are the Cons of Living in Miami?

1. Rude Population.
This is not a matter of opinion, as Miami regularly ranks at the top of the list when it comes to cities with high occurrences of road rage incidents. Over the course of time, Miami has developed a poor reputation for interpersonal relations.

One of the perils of moving to a large city is the loss of camaraderie between you and your fellow residents. If you are not accustomed to big city life, Miami may not be the best choice of cities for you to move to.

2. Cost Of Living Is High.
As to be expected, living in one of America’s glitziest cities does not come cheap. Miami is considered to be the wealthiest city in the entire country and this comes at a heavy cost. Those who are not savvy when it comes to purchasing may end up spending far more on their living accommodations than they are truly worth.

Moving to Miami without having steady employment lined up that pays well is not recommended. Otherwise, you could end up in debt before you’ve even had a chance to decide whether you enjoy living in the city or not.

3. Everyone Does Not Speak English.
One of the more common frustrations that is vented by Miami residents is certain neighborhoods’ refusal to learn the English language. Depending on which part of town you live in, you could be forced to spend a great deal of time around people who only speak Spanish, so if you are not bilingual, this should play a role in your decision making.

Hostility is not an issue in most cases, but communication difficulties are, so be sure to do your homework before taking the Miami plunge.

4. Public School System Is Poor.
For parents who cannot afford to send their children to a private school, Miami can be a difficult place while still ensuring that you are giving your progeny the best possible chance to succeed. Miami’s public school system ranks below the American average from a statistical standpoint.

Families with children should take the time to consider this key fact before they uproot their children, especially if they are already a quality education.