Miami is one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in the United States. Widely known for its beaches and tropical atmosphere, today it has much more to offer. Know the main aspects to take into account to live in Miami and enjoy it to the fullest.
Living in Miami: who inhabits the city?
The city of Miami is the second most populous in the state of Florida, after Jacksonville. According to the United States Census Bureau (2019), today it is close to 458 thousand inhabitants. Living in Miami means being immersed in diversity, as the city welcomes people from different backgrounds.
Its more urban area attracts young professionals interested in boosting their careers, and also enjoy a relaxed and festive atmosphere. The favorite places for this population are Downtown Miami, Wynwood, Midtown and Brickell. On the other hand, locations such as Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Doral and Coconut Grove are more familiar. They have a multitude of schools and spaces to share such as parks, restaurants, theaters, among others.
In addition, Miami attracts many retired citizens with its year-round warm climate and lifestyle.
Key facts about Miami
Living in Miami involves a great variety of cultures and communities, not only because of its inhabitants, but also because of its location. The city, along with other independent municipalities, forms what is known as the Greater Miami Area. This region of Florida is made up of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. It includes major cities such as Miami, Aventura, Weston, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Pembroke Pines and Boca Raton.
A rich system of roads connects this large area. It has five interstate highways, in addition to eight express highways. The public transportation system connects the Miami International Airport area with coastal communities such as Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. It is also made up of various means of transport:
Metrobus
It covers major cultural, entertainment and shopping centers, as well as educational institutions and hospitals. It offers 95 routes with nearly a thousand buses in Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, West Miami-Dade, Broward County, Homestead, Florida City and Middle Keys.
Virgin Brightline
It is the first privately built and operated high-speed rail system in the United States. It is a luxury train that transports passengers between Miami to West Palm Beach with a stop in Fort Lauderdale. Construction has already begun on the route to Orlando, which is expected to be ready by 2022. It is estimated that it will carry more than three million passengers when it starts the route to Orlando. A transportation system aimed at executives looking to connect Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and for tourists looking for comfort for their obligatory trip between Miami and Orlando.
Metrorail
It is a 25-mile (40-kilometer) dual track train. It connects Miami International Airport, Kendall, South Miami, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, the Civic Center area and Jackson Memorial Hospital, Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah and Medley. It also has connections to Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Metromover
It is a free automated rail bus service in Downtown Miami. Some of the main destinations it serves are American Airlines Arena, Bayside Marketplace, Miami-Dade College and Miami-Dade County School Board. In addition, Miami will soon benefit from.
As you would expect from a large city, the city of Miami has a solid system of public services. The company that manages electric power, for example, is recognized in the country for its customer service, technology and innovation. Likewise, its drinking water meets national quality standards, according to the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.
On the other hand, Miami-Dade County’s public education system is the fourth largest in the United States. The city as such has more than 200 public primary, middle and upper schools. There are also 570 private schools. According to U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, 15 Miami high schools are among the top 200 in the United States.
Miami also offers 17 colleges with diverse focuses. The best known are the University of Miami (private) and Florida International University (public).
Entertainment: A Core Benefit of Living in Miami
Miami’s culture has been shaped by the diversity of its people. The influence of its large Latin and Caribbean communities is reflected in its music, arts and food scene.
The city has multiple theaters, cinemas, museums and cultural centers. One of the events that stands out the most is the Calle Ocho Festival, in Little Havana, recognized as the largest Latin music stage in the United States. Other favorites include:
- Ultra Music Festival, for EDM fans.
- Miami International Film Festival.
- Art Basel, an annual contemporary art fair held exclusively in Miami, Basel (Switzerland) and Hong Kong (China).
- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami.
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival, de Food Network.
- Boat show de Miami
- Boat Show of Ft. Lauderdale
- Miami Marathon
- Plays
- Musical concerts
- Miami Open Tennis
Likewise, Miami’s nightlife is legendary. The areas near the beach dominate after sunset with all kinds of establishments. Along the popular Ocean Drive you will find numerous nightclubs, lounges and bars for all tastes. In addition, the Miami Design District offers innovative fashion, design, architecture and culinary experiences.
Living in Miami is living outside!
One of the most characteristic traits of the inhabitants of Miami is their love for nature and activity. Of course, the stars of this lifestyle are its beaches on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They are ideal for lounging in the sun, walking, skating, cycling and enjoying water activities.
Similarly, Miami’s warm climate invites you to spend time outdoors in its more than 800 parks. In many of them you can practice mountain biking, hiking or kayaking. Living in Miami also means inhabiting the only city in the United States surrounded by natural parks: the Everglades National Park, the Big Cypress National Reserve, the Biscayne National Park and the Dry Tortugas National Park.
A stellar place for healthcare
As one of America’s top retirement locations, Miami has a robust system of healthcare providers. It is home to prestigious medical organizations such as:
- Jackson Memorial Hospital.
- Bascon Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami. It is the #1 eye hospital nationwide
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.
- Cleveland Clinic
- Miami VA Hospital.
- Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.
- Holtz Children’s Hospital.
In the same way, it has a good offer of specialists. That’s why enjoying quality, affordable health insurance is a benefit of living in Miami.
In general, they cover essential health services such as primary care, specialists, pregnancy, emergencies and hospitalization. Some correspond to the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare. Others are private health plans. Keep in mind that living in Miami is living in a vibrant, ever-evolving metropolis. Don’t wait to be part of its unmistakable spirit.
References
Braojos Insurance. (undated). Types of health insurance. Retrieved from https://www.braojosinsurance.com/seguro-medico-en-miami/
Buch, C. (March 23, 2018). I’ve lived in Miami for over 20 years — these are the best neighborhoods to live in right now. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-live-in-miami-2018-3
Discover Homes Miami. (undated). Top 12 Reasons People Are Moving to Miami. [Mensaje en un blog]. Retrieved from https://www.discoverhomesmiami.com/miami/top-12-reasons-people-moving-miami
Majchrowicz, M. (January 23, 2020). Environmental Watchdog Warns of “Forever Chemicals” in Miami-Dade Drinking Water. Miami New Times. Retrieved from https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miami-drinking-water-has-high-levels-of-pfas-chemicals-per-environmental-working-group-report-11455881
Miami-Dade County. Transportation & Public Works. Retrieved from https://www.miamidade.gov/global/transportation/home.page
Scicchitano, P. (June 25, 2019). New Rail Service Between Orlando And Miami On Track For 2022. Patch. Recuperado de https://patch.com/florida/lakeland/new-rail-service-between-orlando-miami-track-2022#:~:text=The%20Florida%20line%20will%20initially,Orlando%20International%20Airport%20is%20added
United States Census Bureau. (2019). QuickFacts. Miami city, Florida; Miami-Dade County, Florida. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/miamicityflorida,miamidadecountyflorida/PST045219
Zapata, I. What’s it like to live in Miami, FL? U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from https://realestate.usnews.com/places/florida/miami