Puerto Rico to Miami...upgrade or downgrade? (Hialeah, Orlando: fit in, real estate)

[Sir_Knight]

Coincidence, I had been searching for history on Miami and its Puerto Rican contributions. I had encountered this open dialogue about the differences between an island (country/territorial state) and miami (city). For the young lady seeking a new life, let me say to reference the economic state of miami (present-day). Miami (Miami Beach) is a beautiful city that many tourist flock to on a yearly basis. At times, you will see wealthy people living in the Miami Beach area (most images represent this area), so it is safe to say that most of the crime would be petty by comparison to an island of 4 million +(population size) to several hundreds of thousands of actual residents living in the Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach. Recent news reports, Miami has been on its downturn as of lately for the past year and a half, rents has been rising at break neck speeds (avg. $1,000 per month, 1 bedrom apt) and condos, Why would you build so many condos in such of a condense space in the financial district and bayside?? Condo Avg, $500K, mortgage, plus Condo Fees Avg, $400 p/mos, plus Yearly Tax Assessment, $5000 (lower side). Puerto Rico does have an inflation pricing on the housing market (Avg. 275,000K mortgage) minus the high Condo Fees (unless you reside in a gated community) and yearly Tax Assessment (< less than $2000 K/yr, this may change in the near future). The island does not have enough jobs to contain an educated workforce, based on the majority of islands economy based on tourism, travel port of call and conventions. Political implications may be a factor the present economic, socio-economic and health of the population and its future. Miami does not fall behind from the island, where it is one of the worst districts families w/children and its schooling. The school districts are at a current deficit of $44million dollars (dated, 06/18/2008, Miami Herald), expects to cut 2,000, administrators, asst. principals and assistant staff members. The Miami-Dade County job outlooks is at a negative, due to the fact the downturn of the construction business, new housing construction, tourist (due to fuel, airline cost), capital flight (Europeans downsizing due to inflation and devalue of the dollar), wealthy would rather play in the Ft. Lauderdale (the actual reference of, "South Florida", excludes Miami). It is a term used by the most affluent to exclude parts of the Miami-Dade Country, where most of the retirees and Wall Street human capital fly to the Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach area. Miami Beach is a tourist trap for the affluent Northeasteners, Europeans and College Spring Breakers. Note, crime does exist at a local area, where an incident has had occurred at Club Mansion, where three college male students where beaten by several of the clubs employees. Coincidently, the club owners go by the name of the Opium Group (figure that one out), this name suits well for organized crime--common theme that will always be under Miami label. By the way, if you really want to see the actual Miami, rent a movie called, "Cocaine Cowboys", it will give a precursor as to why Miami is the it is, present-day. Also, wait until the second part comes out, "Cocaine Cowboys", a ex-cartel member living in the city of Miami at the time, exploiting the Cubans to do the dirty work. Yes, Miami has its gorgeous scenery and view, but it also has its dirty little past and dark secrets. By the way, check the business registry as well, most of the Fortune 500 companies has had left the Miami since the early 90's. The Miami Herald had listed the top 100 companies in the area for a bit, until the major corporations had started to leave the area. Eventually, the Miami Herald ceased the listing of the top 100 companies, due to the fact it was at the low 80's--it would not quantify to list the top 80 versus the top 100 companies.

By comparison, if you really want to relocate from Puerto Rico, reach out to your relatives. Get a personal judgement by them, it would be the best advice and get a heart to heart chat to your conclusion. Also, I had read between the lines, that you seek a city with a nightlife and decent standard of living. Miami, may have the nightlife and few jobs to support your personal needs. It does not have a future for your career needs or improve your living standard from Puerto Rico. Miami has its share of problems and it does not have a law that would protect or give you rights of employment. Your boss may tell you to leave without pay, and they are within their rights to do so-- due to relax local labor laws. Remember, Miami and South Florida was built as a tax haven for retirees with Northeast influence and power. The locals do not have any such thing, unless you want to include the constant bickering on the local news channel about lack of funds, government cutbacks or land owners skimming from the government or its tennants.

Suggestion: Seek out the major centre of business, such as the actual New York of the South (Atlanta, Georgia), Tampa (financial district), Ft. Lauderdale (investment industry), Orlando (high-tech industry), Cape Canaveral (federal government). This would keep you close to the action in Miami Beach, just to either fly or drive down on the weekends, live it wild and go back home.

Take Care,

Sir_Knight

[HoneyRyder]

I also read only 13% of Miami residents have a Bachelor's Degree and thought it would work as an advantage for me as well as being bilingual. I thought Miami would be a nice place since Im single, no kids, and very active.I've read Miami has many activitiy options and there's "always something to do".

It definitely would be an upgrade! And, there are pretty cheap flights to San Juan from Miami. Good luck!

[kevinkagy]

UPGRADE. Miami is a lot better!

[Endeavor305]

Do you mean women? Cause there's no comparison otherwise. Miami hands down.

[brandonwkerns]

>I know that earning 15 dollars an hour as a HR assistant manager at say >the Biltmore would mean she could afford an apartment in Allapatah or >Liberty City...so I assume that the move would not be an upgrade, unless >she is living an area worse than those mentioned, since 15 bucks an hour >won't get anyone an apartment in any decent area in Miami. Wow we have >really examined this thread...haha.


$15/hr full-time is 600/wk or about 2400/month, affordable rent would be, say, 600-800. I can find that in Dadeland or west Kendall, or even in an efficiency in the Gables. I think I've seen some options in Sunny Isles Beach also. It would be hell to commute to the beaches but $15/hr is definitely doable, if by Miami you mean within a 20-mile radius of downtown.

-B

[HoneyRyder]

You seem very intelligent, driven, and ready for a change. People move and people stay...that's what this forum is all about. I'd say go for it. You are 26 and have lived with your parents for a long time. Try something new! If you don't like it you can always go back home after a year, but at least then you will have known. Who knows, you could love it! Be adventurous....good luck!!

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

UPGRADE. Miami is a lot better!

No comparison .... I spent two weeks in Puerto Rico during the summer of 2003 and although there are some nice areas .... it is truly a "third world" country , with perverse poverty , astronomical crime rates ... and tremendous corruption that make Miami Dade County look like Mayberry !!

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by Endeavor305

Do you mean women? Cause there's no comparison otherwise. Miami hands down.

Miami Dade County is head and shoulders , I mean HEAD AND SHOULDERS above Puerto Rico in quality of babes ... when I was down there I went clubbing , spent some time at the famous "Las America's Mall" , the Condado area and hit all the beaches .... no way no comparison to Miami / Miami Beach

[Sir_Knight]

If the world, where about babes and party, the last place most of us would hang out, Miami. I had been to Miami two weeks ago, Jenny Craig and South Beach diet has not done justice to some women in the Miami-Dade County. Why would a Miamian would even make it to a national beauty paegant.??? Name one?

Please, Miami has its fair share of problems, it is not a thriving economy with second-tier banking system and not enough jobs for the local economy. Heck, I have a friend who works at a hospital with a salary of $50K, still lives at home with her parents. Hello??? Your telling a girl in Puerto Rico, to move out of her parents to shack up with strangers at a 800 sq. ft apartment. Puerto Rico has its problems, as well. It has its sights to die for, and the tranquility of the sea and immaculate views of serenity. Between, Miami and Puerto Rico in terms of jobs, no way you would be able to make ends meet at either. Of course, the advantage would be the in-kind benefits that would receive from the neighbors, grow your own vegetables, raise livestock without any organic or pesticide product. Most of the meats, that you would taste anywhere in the states would be full of steroids and chemicals, no instrinsic value of tasting a meal as a laboratory experiment.

Crime rate, there is no difference between Miami and Puerto Rico, as both as its fair share of thievery, assaults, murders and narcotics. Again, if the numbers are skewed, Miami tends to forget to county for accuracy and shifted numbers.

Orlando Response,

Let me clarify, yes Orlando (OUTSKIRTS) beats out Miami,100 times to one in terms of quality of life. Again, the jobs in the Orlando do pay a bit more in certain sectors, they do tend to hire Engineers, Scientist and Technology, which it has been building for that type of market, past eight years (smart growth). In Miami, the new Condo's being built would not be considered as smart growth or economic viable to a dilapidated economy. Again, we are not discovering the new world or created a new vaccine that would cure the world's ills in Miami. Yes, Miami has its fair share of serene views, especially from Bay Side and its new high rises. As the magical moment, it may be over within a few days, where you would get to miss your natural surroundings of space and actual neighbors that really do care abouts a neighborhood. Space and neighborhood community lacks in the city of Miami (high density-does not permit), of course, the next President of the Mayors club would have to figure that piece of the puzzle-- 'How may I convince people to stay and await for real jobs to reappear in Miami??' Tick tock, the time is ticking for , Manny Diaz, as the present term would be up and as he walks away with a few loose change in his pocket.

Hence, the people of Miami will live with debt up to their eyeballs, leased Mercedes or BMW's and break-neck rise of foreclosures. Hey, let Jorge Perez know, lieu of his CondoVulture.com venture, I do have a rock to sell him at an estate in Virginia.

Later Mi gente!!

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by Sir_Knight

If the world, where about babes and party, the last place most of us would hang out, Miami. I had been to Miami two weeks ago, Jenny Craig and South Beach diet has not done justice to some women in the Miami-Dade County. Why would a Miamian would even make it to a national beauty paegant.??? Name one?

Please, Miami has its fair share of problems, it is not a thriving economy with second-tier banking system and not enough jobs for the local economy. Heck, I have a friend who works at a hospital with a salary of $50K, still lives at home with her parents. Hello??? Your telling a girl in Puerto Rico, to move out of her parents to shack up with strangers at a 800 sq. ft apartment. Puerto Rico has its problems, as well. It has its sights to die for, and the tranquility of the sea and immaculate views of serenity. Between, Miami and Puerto Rico in terms of jobs, no way you would be able to make ends meet at either. Of course, the advantage would be the in-kind benefits that would receive from the neighbors, grow your own vegetables, raise livestock without any organic or pesticide product. Most of the meats, that you would taste anywhere in the states would be full of steroids and chemicals, no instrinsic value of tasting a meal as a laboratory experiment.

Crime rate, there is no difference between Miami and Puerto Rico, as both as its fair share of thievery, assaults, murders and narcotics. Again, if the numbers are skewed, Miami tends to forget to county for accuracy and shifted numbers.

Orlando Response,

Let me clarify, yes Orlando (OUTSKIRTS) beats out Miami,100 times to one in terms of quality of life. Again, the jobs in the Orlando do pay a bit more in certain sectors, they do tend to hire Engineers, Scientist and Technology, which it has been building for that type of market, past eight years (smart growth). In Miami, the new Condo's being built would not be considered as smart growth or economic viable to a dilapidated economy. Again, we are not discovering the new world or created a new vaccine that would cure the world's ills in Miami. Yes, Miami has its fair share of serene views, especially from Bay Side and its new high rises. As the magical moment, it may be over within a few days, where you would get to miss your natural surroundings of space and actual neighbors that really do care abouts a neighborhood. Space and neighborhood community lacks in the city of Miami (high density-does not permit), of course, the next President of the Mayors club would have to figure that piece of the puzzle-- 'How may I convince people to stay and await for real jobs to reappear in Miami??' Tick tock, the time is ticking for , Manny Diaz, as the present term would be up and as he walks away with a few loose change in his pocket.

Hence, the people of Miami will live with debt up to their eyeballs, leased Mercedes or BMW's and break-neck rise of foreclosures. Hey, let Jorge Perez know, lieu of his CondoVulture.com venture, I do have a rock to sell him at an estate in Virginia.

Later Mi gente!!

No difference between the crime rate in Puerto Rico and Miami ... are you kidding me .... your long winded , rambling verbose posts just lost all of their "charm" .... there have been as many as 23 murders in a weekend in the greater Metropolitan San Juan area

Talk to my neighbors in Weston , who are a young professional Puerto Rican couple and left Puerto Rico nine years ago and they will tell you that you need to get your facts straight ... they had their cars broken into and were robbed so many times in a nice area of Hato Rey that they lost count ...

Posters on the Orlando forum do not seen to agree with your "quality of life " statement ... that was funny ... LOL !!

By the way , many of the hot women in Miami are foreign born so they would not be eligible to compete in national beauty contests ... you need to check your eyes ... yes there are fat people here .. no doubt .. just like everywhere else ... including Puerto Rico where there are many of them including women with mustaches and supposed "metrosexual" dudes with plucked frickin eyebrows !!