Spanish in Miami (Hialeah, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach: hotels, job market, neighborhoods)

[montevista1]

I live in L.A. & speaking Spanish is very important and can get you better job oppurtunities.

Some people tell me in Miami its mandatory to speak Spanish. Is this true?

Does everyone speak Spanish there, even the observant Jewish community?

[bale002]

Originally Posted by montevista1

I live in L.A. & speaking Spanish is very important and can get you better job opportunities.

Some people tell me in Miami its mandatory to speak Spanish. Is this true?

Does everyone speak Spanish there, even the observant Jewish community?

Anywhere from 67%-80% of the population in Miami (Dade County in general) speaks Spanish. So, while it is not mandatory depending on neighborhood and field of work or other activities, it is certainly true that possessing Spanish language skills, but more importantly bilingual language skills, manifoldly increases economic opportunities, coupled with skills in growth sectors and having good contacts.

I think the question on the observant Jewish community is an exaggeration: my understanding is that there are some well-established Jewish communities in some "historic" Miami neighborhoods, predominantly along the coast, and I imagine that relatively few of them, especially the elderly, have learned Spanish. However, others may be able to shed more detailed light on what could prove to be a very interesting question.

[CiXeL]

job market at least for me is tough down here without it
alot of wealthy jewish people down here live in gated communities and dont have to work from the ones ive seen.

[PNW2007]

It's funny how while changing the channels last night, VH1 was showing the show "Hogan Knows Best," featuring Hulk Hogan's family reality TV show. It was an episode showing how they recently moved to Miami from West Palm Beach (I think) and they couldn't understand anyone or anything since everything was written and spoken in Spanish! They than hired a spanish tutor to learn spanish...Hogan speaking Spanish? And I read an article about U.S. Marines asking their higher ups to speak spanish to them since they understand it better than English. U.S. Marines speaking spanish? I feel like i'm in Cuba.

[lulu]

I'd say a vast majority speak spanish...but it's not mandatory. Though, knowing the skill will get you ahead in the job market as this has become like the capital of Latin America.
As for the Jewish community, it depends. From Israel, Germany, Poland, N.Y. or where??? We have observant spanish speaking Jews that come from Latin America and then we have Jewban's, too. (Cuban Jews) - this label is not demeaning nor invented by other groups - they invented it & proudly & affectionately call themselves this.
However, I do know that there are non-spanish speaking Jewish groups that tend to congregate along the coast. The spanish speaking Jews can live just about anywhere.

[Veloire]

In the city of Miami (a small municipality) it is a plus to speak Spanish. If you live in Hialeah, you have to. In the county Miami-Dade many people speak Spanish, however, it is not a “something you need to have” to live here. What you need is to speak English. If you don’t, the number of jobs you are able to obtain is drastically dropping and your income with it

[CiXeL]

veloire,
funny. how many times have i and my girlfriend applied for jobs only to be turned down at the interview and the next day see it show up on monster or dice again with the words "Bilingual Required" or "Spanish Preferred" in the job description.
that demonstrates the simple fact of the matter that spanish is ASSUMED.

[anamarieus]

Just chiming in that I HATE living here. I feel so alienated everywhere because no one speaks english. I moved here from NC about 4 years ago. It really sucks. I wanna LEAVEEEEEE!!!!!!!

[doggiebus]

Welcome to the boards.

[elfyum]

Originally Posted by anamarieus

Just chiming in that I HATE living here. I feel so alienated everywhere because no one speaks english. I moved here from NC about 4 years ago. It really sucks. I wanna LEAVEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, I actually felt the same way when I first moved to Miami Beach. I mean, I grew up in NYC - a zillion spanish people - and everyone spoke English! I lived in Tucson - a zillion mexicans - and everyone spoke English. (as in, yeah you heard spanish, but english was the norm) Then I came to Miami Beach & everyone spoke to me in spanish! I mean, in the stores, at work...!!!
At first it was amusing, then it was REALLY aggravating & I ended up mouthing off alot! But working in hotels, everyone speaks english & if they don't, they don't expect YOU to speak spanish! Also living in north dade it's very mixed - mostly haitian & black, some jews, some "plain whiteys" (though we're the minority) & some spanish.
So now I'm happy & I love it here! The weather rules & it's always green & I'm very happy here.
So you never know - maybe this will happen to you too!