Firstly why Miami, Florida?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Miami
• State: Florida
• Population: 467,763 people
• Miami’s quick summary would be Renowned for its vibrant nightlife, Art Deco architecture, and cultural diversity.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 60,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 50,000 annually
• Net Migration: 10000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 20,000
• Number of Homeless people: 3,500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it as a major city offers vast job opportunities and international culture attracting diverse populations

Perk #1: Miami Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 56%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $52,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Miami is $70,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $18000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Miami’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,047
• Property Tax %: 1.13%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,750
• Rent for an average house: $2,500
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Miami, Coral-Gables, South-Beach, Coconut-Grove, and probably could include Brickell
• Avg. Age of Homes in Miami: 60 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3.8%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Miami’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Miami are  Tourism, Finance, and Healthcare
• Miami Job Scene: growing job market focused on finance tourism and tech
• The General Tech Scene: major tech hub with strong focus on fintech, biosciences, and entertainment technology
• Miami Resident’s pay $2,200 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Miami: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 300 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 28

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Miami

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $150 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-95 and I-75 connect Miami to major routes across the state
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy evening traffic on I-95
• Transportation Score: 70 out of 100 described as Excellent Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Miami: 450,000
• Cars registered per Person: 1
• No. of Car Washes: 25 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Miami: flhsmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 66 of 100
• Local Airport: Miami International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Miami’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Miami is best described as has warm winters with temperatures in the 70s and hot humid summers with frequent thunderstorms
• Winter Weather in Miami i’d describe as warm and humid
• Spring Weather in Miami can be described as warm with humidity and rain
• Summer’s in Miami are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Miami is usually warm with occasional rain
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 83 days in summer
• Days in a row in Miami below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 61 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality affected by high traffic and emissions
• Miami Winter Air mixed air quality due to urban landscape and density

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Miami Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Miami 11
• While the number of trade schools inside Miamis’s city limits are 15
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Miami-Dade Public Library System

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Miami Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Miami only Doctors is about 600
• Local Hospitals here is  36
• Full-time Miami only Police Officers is about 4,000
• Crime Rate Index: 75/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Miami’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
• Miami’s Monthly Gym Membership: $65
• Miami’s Water Quality Score: 60

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Miami

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 20 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: big city known for its vibrant culture and nightlife
• You might enjoy concerts at the American Airlines Arena
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Miami  features a buzzing nightlife with swanky clubs bars and diverse cultural events for an energetic experience

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Miami

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a vibrant culinary scene with a focus on Latin cuisine
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 200 scattered around Miami
• The Popular Sports Team is Miami Heat
• Top Level Political Climate in Miami can be described as diverse urban center with strong progressive movements and socioeconomic challenges
• Miami’s Longer standing religious establishment is Miami Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Miami Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Miami has 65 Parks?
• Miami Beach is Miami’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Miami Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-4pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, outdoor festivals, and cycling

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Miami Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Miami can be described as fast-paced city life centered around music art and culture
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Miami beach activities exploring parks attending music events
• The Cities people commute to from Miami are Miami-Beech 12 miles away Hialeah 10 miles away Fort-Lauderdale 27 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Miami or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: heavy evening traffic on I-95. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Miami’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Coconut Grove is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Miami are Miami-Beech 12 miles away Hialeah 10 miles away Fort-Lauderdale 27 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 75 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Miami has 0 days in a row below freezing and 83 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Miami people have an average (positive or negative) $18000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   3,500 homeless people living in Miami. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse urban center with strong progressive movements and socioeconomic challenges could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Miami.

Retiree & Senior Life in Miami

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might benefit from property tax exemptions easing housing affordability
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Villa Maria
• Miami Senior Center offers wellness activities recreational programs and community resources for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Miami, Florida?

If Miami, Florida ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Miami, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!