Places to Live: Miami
Playtime at the beach. That's what many people think of when it comes to Miami. But with an exploding population, booming real estate, and diverse cultural opportunities, the "Gateway to the Americas" is much, much more.
Real estate statistics show the city's popularity. Miami is experiencing its biggest real estate boom since the 1920s. What this means for many longtime and new residents may be an expensive standard of living. In fact, the city is one of the least affordable places to live, with 69 percent of residents spending at least 30 percent of their household income on home ownership. Average home prices, depending on the source, range from $400,000 to over $500,000.
Despite higher prices, the population keeps growing. The attractive qualities of the city may outweigh any excessive worry about costs for many new residents. Miami is the 6th largest metropolitan area in the country, which includes the city proper and several surrounding counties with suburbs and commuter communities. In 2004, the city itself boasted a population over 379,000.
Who's coming to Miami? People across the country are relocating to take advantage of what's seen as an ideal climate. Miami is situated in the southern portion of Florida (Florida 30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates) on Biscayne Bay, between the Atlantic Ocean and the subtropical marshland of the Everglades. Besides the occasional loose alligator or crocodile, this geography also means a climate composed of warm, humid summers and mild winters. Unfortunately, it can also mean a susceptibility to hurricanes, which have either skimmed or slammed the city on some occasions over the last century.
Who else is coming to Miami? The main reason the city is known as the "Gateway to the Americas" is the influx of immigrants from the Spanish-speaking world, including Cuba, Haiti, and South and Central America. Over 67 percent of the city's population is Latino. The immigrant-friendly atmosphere has also encouraged both tourists and other immigrants from around the world. In fact, some of the largest Israeli and Russian communities in the country live here, as well as many African and European immigrants.
Neighborhoods in the city are organized both by immigrant enclaves and by location. Vibrant Creole and Spanish culture mark Little Haiti, Little Havana and Hialeah. Other neighborhoods offer extensive shopping (Aventura), hideaways for the rich and famous (Bal Harbour), dance and dining (Coconut Grove), pulsating architecture and commerce (Downtown and Brickell), and miles of sandy beaches, trendy spots and sports (Miami Beach and South Beach).
Leisure options are many, especially when it comes to water activities. With sunny skies and warmth that would shock most of the Northern U.S., visitors and residents can embark on deep sea fishing adventures, cruises and charters, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and wreck diving. USA Today, Travel Channel, and the Surfrider Foundation have recognized the beaches themselves as top picks for recreation and families. In addition to the beaches and the ocean, Miami is the only place in the country with two national parks. Everglades National Park is untamed and unexpected, and the Biscayne National Park is the only living tropical reef in the continental United States.
Other options speak to sports and culture buffs. The city's pro teams include the Dolphins (football), the Heat (basketball), and the 2003 World Series Champs, the Marlins (baseball). The Hurricanes, the immensely lauded and popular University of Miami college football team, also play in the area.
The Miami theater scene includes great venues and preeminent performers. The Miami International Film Festival is a showcase for Latin American, North American and world cinema. Extensive museum, dance, and music options round out the city.
To learn more about living in and visiting Miami, visit the following sites: Miami Vacation Planning Guide: http://www.gmcvb.com/Index.asp
Miami Profile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami,_Florida
Real Estate in Miami: http://ziprealty.typepad.com/marketconditions/miami_real_estate/index.html |
