houston to miami (Palm Beach, South Beach: apartments, car insurance, crime rate)

[akello]

I'm a 27 year old nigerian, that's been in houston for 11 years and really just ready to move on. Everything here caters to families and all the nightlife shuts down way too quick. The weather here doesn't get to me, so I know the miami heat won't be a problem. This march I visited South Beach and had wild fun. Generally I'm pretty optimistic and pleasant to be around, but I'm not very fond of those who stick their nose where it doesn't belong. Which seems to be a favorite past time in houston.

I'll be quiting my company in October with a good savings. Would I have problems being accepted in certain finance postions because of my spanish, it's terrible. If I began a business, would the language barrier still be too much for my own clientele? I'm struggling to find a company in miami that will hire, even with my credentials.

[DCkid]

That's interesting. I've been to Houston once and had such a good time I was considering moving from Miami to Houston. You pretty much get similar deals with the weather, traffic, etc. Thanx for the info. Maybe I'll reconsider.

As far as finding work in finance. It is hard to find a job in Miami if you don't speak Spanish but its not impossible. Its really all about networking in this area. You might want to pursue a post graduate degree at UM or FIU to network with local professionals. Or even join a local society.

Also you might want to check for jobs in Broward County and/or Palm Beach County. Both are a reasonable drive to South Beach at really late hours with I-95 empty.

People often use the terms "Miami" and "South Florida" interchangebly. Miami is not a big city at all. Charlotte, Virginia Beach and Nashville Tennessee all have larger populations than Miami believe it or not. But "South Florida' is a huge metropolitan area. Don't think that you have to live in "Miami" just to enjoy South Beach. It limits your job search.

[akello]

Thanks DC, houston is a fun city and you'll probably love it if you decide to move here. I'm burnt-out on it though, that's one of the reasons I plan on leaving. I haven't checked out broward or palm county as far as jobs, but I initially thought about homes in both. Ft. Lauderdale impressed me the most, I just wonder if the commute would be hell if I worked downtown.

[ivy03]

If you live in Ft. Lauderdale and will be working in downtown Miami, the traffic is off the chain in the morning (usually grid locked). Maybe you should consider working in downtown ft. lauderdale rather than driving all the way to downtown Miami. It will be a great difference in the cost of living if you were to relocate. Apartments and houses here cost a lot more that in Houston. S. FL is surrounded around water, which does not offer this area much land. Therefore, housing here is very costly for the smallest of spaces. In Houston, you get a HOUSE for a little of nothing in comparison to S. FL. The pay in South FL in comparison to the cost of living is not sufficient in most industries. There are some similarities for Houston and S. Florida, both places are very warm and humid most of the year (Houston is a bit hotter). Both areas also have a large hispanic culture and are near beaches (S. FL beaches are much nicer). The people here in S. FL are not as hospitable or nice as Houstonians are. Both areas offer some great varieties of food, culture, etc. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale seems to have a better night life that Houston. Public transportation is not the best, more than likely you will need a car to get around and car insurance is pretty steep here in S. Florida due to all of the insurance fraud and congested highways. Miami has a higher crime rate that Houston. Hard decision, good luck with your choice!

[somebodymiami]

i think houston might have a higher crime rate now compared to miami, or maybe they are the same.

Originally Posted by ivy03

If you live in Ft. Lauderdale and will be working in downtown Miami, the traffic is off the chain in the morning (usually grid locked). Maybe you should consider working in downtown ft. lauderdale rather than driving all the way to downtown Miami. It will be a great difference in the cost of living if you were to relocate. Apartments and houses here cost a lot more that in Houston. S. FL is surrounded around water, which does not offer this area much land. Therefore, housing here is very costly for the smallest of spaces. In Houston, you get a HOUSE for a little of nothing in comparison to S. FL. The pay in South FL in comparison to the cost of living is not sufficient in most industries. There are some similarities for Houston and S. Florida, both places are very warm and humid most of the year (Houston is a bit hotter). Both areas also have a large hispanic culture and are near beaches (S. FL beaches are much nicer). The people here in S. FL are not as hospitable or nice as Houstonians are. Both areas offer some great varieties of food, culture, etc. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale seems to have a better night life that Houston. Public transportation is not the best, more than likely you will need a car to get around and car insurance is pretty steep here in S. Florida due to all of the insurance fraud and congested highways. Miami has a higher crime rate that Houston. Hard decision, good luck with your choice!

[tiredofnova]

Move to Dallas. It's not too far from where you are and there are tons of things for single people to get into there. Miami is party town but there's no jobs there that match the cost of living.

[akello]

Thanks for the info ivy, I might have to reconsider my plans because things are not panning out with the job prospects all together. I had a long talk with a guy in HR, he's from south florida and thinks I'm crazy for wanting to move there. Bascially all I wanted was to enjoy the beach and not have a horrible time making my way to work everyday. One company that showed interest in me was downtown, a major firm but half of the roster speaks spanish. I can't afford to be the guy that gets by with english only. This whole idea of moving to miami just seems more like a bad idea right now. Thanks guys

[money23]

well serch one on goggle if you never did just idea too you akello