Summary of First 2 Months in Miami Thus far (live, place)

[BNBR]

I found parking reasonable. We were at South Pointe and it was about $8 for 4 hours. It was ParkMobile if I recall. Very simple.

[Ms. Intelligence]

What about traffic jams?

[max305]

The longer I live in Miami the more I hate the careless car drivers here. As a pedestrian you really have to watch out.

[elchevere]

as for developing a close set of friends in Miami, I am forming the impression it could take awhile....the only 2 things I miss most from San Diego are the close group of 6-7 solid friends (most were not from CA) I had there and the healthcare (Scripps and my dentist were great).

Given the language and/or culture barrier in Brickell (70% from outside US??), will take some time. it took time in San Diego as well but it might take longer even here...aside from dressing up when I go out on weekends, I typically walk around town in my sweats (will convert to shorts in May), t-shirt and Yankee baseball cap. Most of my friends were white and from the Northeast (especially tri-state NY area) in CA and it was quite common for a conversation to start at the local coffee shop or gym because the other person saw my Yankee baseball cap and was a Yankee fan and/or from the NY area. Not everyone from there was someone I wanted to hang out with but at least I had something in common. I tend to doubt a person from Cuba, Colombia, Venzuela, Russia, or Brazil is going to start a conversation with me because they notice my Yankee hat...maybe I should buy a Cohiba, Havana Club, or Osklen cap or t-shirt to blend in (and I've visited those places)....for what I am used to, I have a feeling people would be more likely to start a basic conversation in Broward or Palm Beach counties.

As for socializing, the best resto/bars I have found to date are Smith & Wollensky, The Forge, Neme Gastrobar, and Bodega (speakeasy on Wednesday nights)....River Yacht Club can be hit or miss...will be checking out The Deck at Island Gardens next weekend and need to check out Coconut Grove at night....haven't really found a local spot in Brickell yet, will give it some time.....do like the vibe at Coya when they have a live band. Casa de Montecristo is not bad but does not always have a big crowd. American Social is a younger crowd but was a fun place to watch the Super Bowl on their floating big screen above the river. (Sugar, Komodo, and Segafredo can definitely be douchey....hit or miss on Cantina La Veinte)....Puroast and Pasion del Cielo my go to coffee spots....Equinox at Four Seasons is fairly small with lots of wasted space; hoping the new one at Brickell Heights is what I am used to from an Equinox though if and when I buy at Jade a gym membership will no longer be necessary.

[Ms. Intelligence]

The honeymoon is always peachy and fuzzy, lol. I want to hear your comments one year from today after your honeymoon is over and real life begins. Being young and care free will not last forever. Prepare yourself now for the difficult days ahead young man or suffer the consequences.

[elchevere]

^ ^ ^

But I am soon to be 58 and will be retiring comfortably within the next 12-18 months to enjoy the fruits of my labor...i do agree about the honeymoon period, however. One year from now will be the key.

[ruski]

Originally Posted by Ms. Intelligence

The honeymoon is always peachy and fuzzy, lol. I want to hear your comments one year from today after your honeymoon is over and real life begins. Being young and care free will not last forever. Prepare yourself now for the difficult days ahead young man or suffer the consequences.

Will you promise to stick around for a whole year?

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by elchevere

as for developing a close set of friends in Miami, I am forming the impression it could take awhile....the only 2 things I miss most from San Diego are the close group of 6-7 solid friends (most were not from CA) I had there and the healthcare (Scripps and my dentist were great).

Given the language and/or culture barrier in Brickell (70% from outside US??), will take some time. it took time in San Diego as well but it might take longer even here...aside from dressing up when I go out on weekends, I typically walk around town in my sweats (will convert to shorts in May), t-shirt and Yankee baseball cap. Most of my friends were white and from the Northeast (especially tri-state NY area) in CA and it was quite common for a conversation to start at the local coffee shop or gym because the other person saw my Yankee baseball cap and was a Yankee fan and/or from the NY area. Not everyone from there was someone I wanted to hang out with but at least I had something in common. I tend to doubt a person from Cuba, Colombia, Venzuela, Russia, or Brazil is going to start a conversation with me because they notice my Yankee hat...maybe I should buy a Cohiba, Havana Club, or Osklen cap or t-shirt to blend in (and I've visited those places)....for what I am used to, I have a feeling people would be more likely to start a basic conversation in Broward or Palm Beach counties.

As for socializing, the best resto/bars I have found to date are Smith & Wollensky, The Forge, Neme Gastrobar, and Bodega (speakeasy on Wednesday nights)....River Yacht Club can be hit or miss...will be checking out The Deck at Island Gardens next weekend and need to check out Coconut Grove at night....haven't really found a local spot in Brickell yet, will give it some time.....do like the vibe at Coya when they have a live band. Casa de Montecristo is not bad but does not always have a big crowd. American Social is a younger crowd but was a fun place to watch the Super Bowl on their floating big screen above the river. (Sugar, Komodo, and Segafredo can definitely be douchey....hit or miss on Cantina La Veinte)....Puroast and Pasion del Cielo my go to coffee spots....Equinox at Four Seasons is fairly small with lots of wasted space; hoping the new one at Brickell Heights is what I am used to from an Equinox though if and when I buy at Jade a gym membership will no longer be necessary.

I never really thought of Smith & Wollensky as a hangout/socializing spot. Do you just hit up the outside bar? I could maybe see that.

[elchevere]

yes...in fact, they recently renovated Smith & Wollensky....they expanded the outdoor bar, rearranged and made larger the indoor bar, and added a second story open air rooftop deck with bar/seating area and will be having entertainment (either a DJ or 1-2 piece band). Always meet a nice professional crowd there....from there I often hit the bar (cannot recall name) that is at the base of the Continuum.

Found a gem of a cigar shop in downtown yesterday--Smokeshop....more of a true cigar shop/lounge than Casa de Montecristo, which is more of a bar.

Originally Posted by BNBR

I never really thought of Smith & Wollensky as a hangout/socializing spot. Do you just hit up the outside bar? I could maybe see that.

[Slam4444]

Originally Posted by Ms. Intelligence

Fair review but you left out all the illegals taking American jobs, driving drunk and mooching off our state and gov.

Hahaha maybe you're just not qualified? #AlternativeFacts