How's Miami for a New Yorker? (Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach: real estate, apartment, crime)

[M|L]

I'm a full-time business student in Manhattan, New York. I've live here pretty much all my life, so city living is what I'm very much used to.

I've been considering a transfer to a new school in Miami in a new environment and start all over.

How do you think a New Yorker will fare in such a place?

Here, there's active night life, there are high class dining, casual dinning, coffee shop to relax, pretty much endless number of amenities. Paying $3,000 for an apartment doesn't phase me, paying $6.80 for a cup of coffee is quite the norm and dealing with not-so-friendly people is just an everyday affair.

So, what do you think?

ps- I'm an 18 yr old Asian who grew up with with an Asian/Spanish/Jewish family!

[MiamiRob]

if you are going to do Miami then go live on the beach if money is no option...Miami is considered the 6th borough by the way.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by M|L

I'm a full-time business student in Manhattan, New York. I've live here pretty much all my life, so city living is what I'm very much used to.

I've been considering a transfer to a new school in Miami in a new environment and start all over.

How do you think a New Yorker will fare in such a place?

Here, there's active night life, there are high class dining, casual dinning, coffee shop to relax, pretty much endless number of amenities. Paying $3,000 for an apartment doesn't phase me, paying $6.80 for a cup of coffee is quite the norm and dealing with not-so-friendly people is just an everyday affair.

So, what do you think?

ps- I'm an 18 yr old Asian who grew up with with an Asian/Spanish/Jewish family!

Forget about Miami, as it simply isn't the "urban" walkable environment you are looking for. It's really just a massive sprawl without many amenities or redeeming factors at all. HOWEVER...Miami Beach might be the place for you. It's culturally accepting, has a lot of the amenities you are looking for in the way of dining and nightlife, and is *Gasp* walkable! The crime kind of sucks, but just use common sense, pick a good block, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Basically, forget Miami, go Miami Beach!!!!

Well, actually, you could look into the Coral Gables or South Miami area, which is semi-walkable and pretty nice (not to mention a little safer than Miami Beach) but this really depends on where you are commuting to.

[M|L]

What should I expect to pay for an one or two bedroom apartment on/near the beach?

I'm not very familiar with the area and the divisions of the city, but I would assume the other locations are still within the vincinity of Miami?

[compelled to reply]

Start at about 1100 a month for a craphole 1 bedroom, and the sky is the limit from there. Probably around 1400 will get you a decent 1 bedroom. Don't quote me on those prices though, I'm not positive.

As far as other locations within Miami, well...Miami is hardly a world class city, where pedestrians rule the street, except for in maybe Coconut Grove, which has some serious crime issues. To be harsh, but honest, Miami is a very sprawl-y and a bit run down of a city, without much in the way of effective mass transit. You may also encounter a bit of racism from the xenophobic Latins living in Miami. The attitude is just totally different from what you are used to in New York. You won't fare well as an ex New Yorker unless you locate in Miami Beach, which has more in the way of amenities, walkability, and cultural acceptance.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by MiamiRob

if you are going to do Miami then go live on the beach if money is no option...Miami is considered the 6th borough by the way.

The borough has shifted to Palm Beach County really, with some remnants left in Broward.

[M|L]

Would living in Miami Beach be in any way an obstacle to studying in a university/college in Miami? I'm speaking of traffic, parking, accessibility, etc.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by M|L

Would living in Miami Beach be in any way an obstacle to studying in a university/college in Miami? I'm speaking of traffic, parking, accessibility, etc.

Somewhat, especially in the way of traffic conditions. The bridges aren't too bad, but you might have a lot of issues on U.S.1, especially if you are studying at UM in Coral Gables. In which case, if you were to study at UM, I would tell you to locate in Coral Gables, which KIND OF has what you are looking for. If you were studying at FIU, then that would depend strongly on the particular campus. Miami Beach is still probably worth it.

I'm in Fort Lauderdale area, so I am going to go ahead and hand over this thread to someone who knows Miami down by neighborhood a little bit more.

[bale002]

Perhaps the original poster should specify whether he knows Spanish fluently, what branch of law he intends to specialize in, and whether he will attend the University of Miami.

From an academic/career perspective, Miami makes sense if the intention is real estate, tax law, and international law, all related to one another in some way. Fluency in Spanish (and Portuguese) is not 100% necessary, but it helps a lot.

If UM is the destination, it may make more sense to live in Coral Gables, South Miami or Coconut Grove, and go to South Beach for fun when the time is right.

[M|L]

I'm a business student, not studying law. I do intend to take classes in real estate, however, in addition to my business studies.

I'm not fluent in Spanish (barely speaks beyond "Hola").

University of Miami is an option, I have not officially applied to any schools as of yet but I'm leaning towards Florida International University.