To all the Miami-haters on this forum... (Tampa, Clearwater: sales, rentals)

[305guy]

Originally Posted by illini84

Sure, most big cities have high costs of living. But in other big cities, you get a far better quality of life. Miami is consistently the worst city (or at least at the bottom of the list) in almost every category imaginable (worst airport, fewest/worst parks, worst traffic, worst public transportation, worst drivers, etc.). Is it ever the best in anything? I moved here knowing Miami has problems--most cities do--but the extent of those problems are only things that can be realized after actually living here. I did tons of research about Miami, but gave it the benefit of the doubt and moved anyway. I thought it surely wasn't as bad as people make it out to be. I tried to be optimistic when I first came here, but that's quickly fading. In my opinion though, the absolute worst thing about Miami is its people. It really ruins the city. That's not something you can do a study on or research. You can only find that out by living here and interacting on a daily basis. St. Louis, on the other hand, is similar to Miami in that it is a very poor, crime-ridden city. But the people make St. Louis and I loved living there. Everyone is so friendly, fun, and nice. Maybe it's a Midwest vs. East Coast thing...I don't know.

Did you come here knowing anyone at all? Any friends? Because if I moved to a large metro area not knowing a soul it would be very hard to make friends out of nowhere (and I'm very social).

Miami is notorious for horrible traffic and a lack of public transportation. But you moved here anyway expecting different? What's so bad about the airport and who goes there often unless you're a business traveler? I'm not trying to convince you Miami is Xanadu because it's not.

But you asked if Miami is better than anything so here goes:
the weather is better than most cities in this country during the winter months, better beaches than most cities in the US, while it might not have great parks you certainly have watersports (scuba-diving, jet-skiing, para-sailing, boating), and it also has a great nightlife which rivals Las Vegas, LA, and NYC. Geographically speaking you're close to the Caribbean and you can take cruise/flight for a weekend quickly (as opposed to the Midwest where you're in the middle of nowhere)

good luck going back and like I always say : to each his own

[mariecug]

I agree with you illini84!!! You think - "hey, I've lived in bad cities before (c'mon Balt/DC is not known as the friendly, crime-free capital of the world), this stuff won't bother me." But it's just different. Miami has so much potential on paper ... but the people & their attitudes just wreck it.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by illini84

...you're right. There, I said it. I moved to Miami from Illinois in December despite all the warnings people gave me on here. I thought, "oh, these people are surely just a small group of people who don't like such a vibrant, tropical city", and moved anyway. You said, "you'll grow to hate Miami. Just give it time." And you were right. Having lived in numerous cities, I thought I could surely adapt anywhere--and how could I go wrong with luxurious Miami, the "paradise"? My tainted, optimistic view of Miami lasted about a month. I simply can't stand it here anymore. Even the warm weather and ocean are outweighed by all of Miami's severe problems. I'm searching for jobs in another state as we speak...

So, to those thinking about moving to Miami--don't. Really. Listen to the people on here, because I sure didn't. To those who gave me advice months ago when I posted about wanting to move here, I apologize for not taking your comments seriously.

Whoa, i just read your first post again. So you didn't even spend the summer here yet then? Man oh man, that "nice weather" thing goes out the window when that blistering humidity kicks in. I remember a friend of mind came down from Canada. So we are on South Beach he says man, what is this with the humidity, he was like "you step out side and it punches you in the face". This place definitely is a love it or hate it sort of place. I still say people should VISIT many times before coming here and if they look it then cool, to each their own.

[cuquiandgus]

Originally Posted by illini84

...you're right. There, I said it. I moved to Miami from Illinois in December despite all the warnings people gave me on here. I thought, "oh, these people are surely just a small group of people who don't like such a vibrant, tropical city", and moved anyway. You said, "you'll grow to hate Miami. Just give it time." And you were right. Having lived in numerous cities, I thought I could surely adapt anywhere--and how could I go wrong with luxurious Miami, the "paradise"? My tainted, optimistic view of Miami lasted about a month. I simply can't stand it here anymore. Even the warm weather and ocean are outweighed by all of Miami's severe problems. I'm searching for jobs in another state as we speak...

So, to those thinking about moving to Miami--don't. Really. Listen to the people on here, because I sure didn't. To those who gave me advice months ago when I posted about wanting to move here, I apologize for not taking your comments seriously.

i just left miami moved upstate ny i sure miss miami im selling my just build house and moving back to miami you have to make yourself happy to be alive hell with the people go to your beach and ejoy your life you find all kinds of people dont care what state it is. lives to short to be runnig away peoples attitude

[oyadei]

I hear everyone talking about how expensive it is to live hear but what about the State Tax most other states impose their own tax so its federal tax, state tax and then tax on your vehicles, boats, etc. example: GA, SC, NC that everyone raves about and I considered myself? Doesn't it all add up one way or another in the end? Is a few thousand dollars enough to uproot family and sell your home???? Unless you are leaving because you can't stand the materialism and other things mentioned in this thread...enlighten me here maybe I'm not understanding correctly???

[lionking]

Originally Posted by 305guy

Did you come here knowing anyone at all? Any friends? Because if I moved to a large metro area not knowing a soul it would be very hard to make friends out of nowhere (and I'm very social).

Miami is notorious for horrible traffic and a lack of public transportation. But you moved here anyway expecting different? What's so bad about the airport and who goes there often unless you're a business traveler? I'm not trying to convince you Miami is Xanadu because it's not.

Traffic is bad everywhereBut outside of Tampa a house costs half of what it does in Miami making a commute worthwhile.Wages are about the same or even better in some regards.People are nicer and more diverse.


But you asked if Miami is better than anything so here goes:
the weather is better than most cities in this country during the winter months, better beaches than most cities in the US, while it might not have great parks you certainly have watersports (scuba-diving, jet-skiing, para-sailing, boating), and it also has a great nightlife which rivals Las Vegas, LA, and NYC.

FALSEyeah if you like salsa or hiphop......not many rock,classic rock or country live music places there,there is a good mix of everything in Tampa and weather is good here too.


Geographically speaking you're close to the Caribbean and you can take cruise/flight for a weekend quickly (as opposed to the Midwest where you're in the middle of nowhere)
TRUE

I grew up in Miami,I fled.......thankgoodness

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by oyadei

I hear everyone talking about how expensive it is to live hear but what about the State Tax most other states impose their own tax so its federal tax, state tax and then tax on your vehicles, boats, etc. example: GA, SC, NC that everyone raves about and I considered myself? Doesn't it all add up one way or another in the end? Is a few thousand dollars enough to uproot family and sell your home???? Unless you are leaving because you can't stand the materialism and other things mentioned in this thread...enlighten me here maybe I'm not understanding correctly???

Well some places will be cheaper or more expensive to live BUT it also depends on how much jobs are paying. They under pay big time down here.

[lionking]

$299,000.....how much do you think this house would sell for in Miami?This house is a hour commute away from Tampa,about the same commute of living in Cutler Ridge or even Kendall to downtown everyday.Wages are not much different in Tampa then Miami accordingly.

And prices are falling here too,taxes and insurance is less expensive.....sorry but I am soooo glad I left the decaying Miami.Not to mention a trip to Orlando is a hour drive away also.

Single Family Home - SPRING HILL, FL, 34609 - Realtor.com


$250,000....the closer you go to Clearwater or Tampa prices rise,but still a good deal compared to most of Miami for a similar house.....


Single Family Home - 1380 Seabreeze St, Clearwater, FL, 33756 - Realtor.com

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by lionking

$250,000....the closer you go to Clearwater or Tampa prices rise,but still a good deal compared to most of Miami for a similar house.....


Single Family Home - 1380 Seabreeze St, Clearwater, FL, 33756 - Realtor.com

You can find homes like that around that price now in Cooper City or other desirable areas in Broward County, so that house is overpriced. Clearwater also has terrible schools. You could probably find a house like that if you look hard enough for 220 up there, and I would much rather live in "decaying" Cooper City than live in Scientology-Town (which actually is decaying since Pinellas south of Palm Harbor is like the Florida rust belt, you should of picked Palm Harbor for a town, safer, better schools). Dunedin? That I would take over Cooper City, thats a charming place.

That being said, you still need to past 400k in DADE County to get a home without burglar bars or a paved lawn. So I'm not saying you don't have a point, but you could of made it better and I am actually defending you .

[lionking]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

You can find homes like that around that price now in Cooper City or other desirable areas in Broward County, so that house is overpriced. You could probably find a house like that if you look hard enough for 220 up there, and I would much rather live in "decaying" Cooper City than live in Scientology-Town (which actually is decaying, you should of picked Palm Harbor for a town). Dunedin? That I would take over Cooper City, thats a charming place.

That being said, you still need to past 400k in DADE County to get a home without burglar bars or a paved lawn.

I'm not ragging on Broward,that is a huge difference from Dade.This was a quick first snip search for a house I found to post,really searching could find better deals.

Still,a 30 min to 1 hour commute away from Tampa brings a quality standard compared to down there for the most part.I'm in Palm Harbor right now on lunch break as I post this...so yeeah Palm Harbor is nice.But prices are higher there accordingly.