Miami vs. West Palm Beach (crime rates, neighborhoods, gated)

[Banx]

If you Miamians had a choice, would you move to West Palm? Is Miami better? I'm thinking about possibly relocating to either one, from Chicago. Any ideas? My mom lives in West Palm and it's such a creepy, eerie, depressing ghost town from what I can gather. Am I missing something? Anyways, what's better Miami or West Palm Beach? From a local's POV.

[ddrox08]

Originally Posted by Banx

If you Miamians had a choice, would you move to West Palm? Is Miami better? I'm thinking about possibly relocating to either one, from Chicago. Any ideas? My mom lives in West Palm and it's such a creepy, eerie, depressing ghost town from what I can gather. Am I missing something? Anyways, what's better Miami or West Palm Beach? From a local's POV.

Well they both have their positves (WPG maybe not) and negatives. I personally think Miami is much more beautiful than west palm beach.
More opportunities in Miami also but if I didn't have a strong income I would
pick west palm beach (as nasty as it is). I don't think Miami is such a great
place unless you're financially stable. Miami is a city in it's own as is west palm beach, but if you were comparing dade county and palm beach county
I'd take palm beach any day.

[burgler09]

Miami hands down

[PBCboy]

I have a ton of experience with both cities (I live in West Palm Beach now though) so I'll give you my thoughts:

Both will largely depend on your income, so adding that would help this too.

West Palm Beach is cheaper, less crowded, easier to navigate and better planned than Miami. It is also more diverse (also there are some ethnic centric neighborhoods most of them are mixed here unlike in Miami. Most of the Miami neighborhoods are segregated.) and has many interesting sections. I don't know what you mean by calling it a "ghost town", but it isn't as lively as Miami.

In Miami the traffic is worse and you won't get nearly as much for your money in terms of housing. It does have an interesting flavor not found in other parts of the state, however, and also has many interesting sections of town. It's less laid back than West Palm Beach which is good if you want a more exciting environment and the crime rates are lower in Miami as well.

Basically both have their own positives and negatives and in the end I would suggest that you visit both yourself to make the final judgment. I prefer both of them to Fort Lauderdale though.

[Manny561]

miami is a faster paced city. the traffics horrible. it looks like 5 oclock traffic at 2 int he morning. WPB is chill, but boring at the same time. theres not much to do besides the malls, downtown, the beaches, the rapids, and of course the main attraction of palm beach drugs and alcohol.

[jbravo]

Banx,
I live in Palm Beach, Tequesta/Jupiter Beach area.
With a little more info, I'd be able to give better advice.
I did live in Miami-Dade for 40 years.
Money, work, age, what type of lifestyle do you want?

[Banx]

Well I mean I'm only 18 and comin from Chicago, so I'm lookin for somethin with a little more night life, party type atmosphere and somethin a little more urban n faster paced. I'm thinkin more so Miami, but I dunno, what are some of the down sides in Miami that livin in West Palm Beach could fix? Thanks.

[HowGoesIt]

I would check out Fort Lauderdale instead. Smaller than Miami, but larger than WPB. You can drive down to South Beach for the day and night, it's only about 30 miles away. Plus, downtown Fort Lauderdale is walkable and pretty safe. There are a lot of good lookin babes that are always hanging out at the bars and clubs around las olas blvd.

[burgler09]

Banx, just come to Miami if you are 18.. go to craigslist find a cheap place in kendall with a roommate and have yourself a great time. You won't miss Chicago.

[Tjam]

Originally Posted by Banx

Well I mean I'm only 18 and comin from Chicago, so I'm lookin for somethin with a little more night life, party type atmosphere and somethin a little more urban n faster paced. I'm thinkin more so Miami, but I dunno, what are some of the down sides in Miami that livin in West Palm Beach could fix? Thanks.

what do you need with a faster pace. are you a sprinter. when you are laying on the beach with a pretty girl next to you, what do you need with fast pace. where are you fast pacing to, a heart attack. there is the beach, swimming pools, fine reasturants, musical events, art events, boat rides, trips to the everglades, fishing, weekends by the lake. All of that and a pretty woman and you have it made.