Where to go in Miami (Orlando, Fort Lauderdale: real estate market, apartment, rentals)

[Jordy Lynn:)<3]

So basically I'm a highschool senior living in Denver. I love the city life, but I hate the cold weather! After I graduate in May, I want to get my esthetician license (skin care), which'll only take five months.

Anyway, I'm thinking about moving to Miami when I'm done with school, but I have a ton of questions before I even start considering this as a possible transition:

1) How much money should I save?

2)I've done a lot of research, but I'm getting confused! It seems like theres so many like mini cities in Miami and that there's a lot of diversity between them. I've read about South Beach, North Beach, Coral Gables, - and a few other places I cant remember. Can someone tell me specifically what each area of Miami is like, who lives there (types of people), what's available there, ect. I'd love a super detailed reply because I've read so many different things and I'm just really confused on what/ who is where- if that makes sense.

3) How bad is the economy? Do I even have a chance of getting a job in esthetics and making decent pay?

4) Whats the weather like? I used to live in Sarasota and I've visited several times. Is it more or less humid?

5) Is crime like extremely bad? I've read that crime rates are really high, but crime rates are high everywhere you go.

6) I dont know a word of spanish, other than hola, am I gonna be totally screwed?

7) I've heard that Miami is really run down, is that only South Miami? Is it as bad as I've read?

8) Are cockroaches like a major issue, because I read something about peoples houses getting invested with them and I'm TERRIFIED of bugs!

Anyway, here's just a few questions about Miami off the top of my head. Someone please give me a very detailed perspective of the place. I want to talk to someone who's actually been there, rather than reading about it on wikipedia and such.

Thanks so much!

[miamiblue]

1. Save as much money as you can. Most rentals require security deposit (equal to one month's rent), first month's rent and last month's rent up front when you sign the lease.

2. Coral Gables is a nice older suburb with unique architecture. This is where the University of Miami is located. It is a fairly upscale area and lower crime. There is a very upscale mall (Merrick Park) and Miracle Mile for dining and entertainment.

South Miami abuts Coral Gables and is also a nice established suburb, but also have a little downtown area around Sunset Place Mall that is nice with bars, restaurants and shops. It is also not far from UM and the Dadeland mall area.

Coconut Grove used to be a very eclectic and artsy neighborhood, but is now more exclusive and upscale. There is a central mall (Cocowalk) and plenty of restaurants and entertainment. Crime is a mixed bag because it abuts a fairly run down area.

South Beach is what you see on television and in the movies. There is always the tourist factor there.

Pinecrest is an upscale suburb farther south and is mostly families.

There are lots more, but I'll let someone else chime in.

3. I think the economy is no better or worse than the rest of the country, with the exception of the real estate market. However, I don't think you'll be making much as an esthetician. You will have LOTS of competition from the immigrant population, most of which will have the advantage of knowing Spanish (which will probably be required if you want to communicate with your clients).

4. It is probably a little more humid and hot for a longer period of time than in Sarasota, but I don't know for sure.

5. There are a lot of opportunistic crimes, but I don't think the crime in general is any worse that most large metro areas. Don't make yourself a target by leaving valuables in your car, etc.

6. You won't be totally screwed if you don't know Spanish, but you will be severely limited in job opportunities in your field.

7. There are parts of Miami that are not desirable, just like in any city. South Miami is not really what I would consider run down, it is mostly pretty nice. The bad parts are places such as Overtown, Opa-locka, Brownsville, etc. Miami is not as sparkly and perfect as you see on TV, but I wouldn't say that as a whole it is any more or less run down than most cities.

8. Roaches (palmetto bugs) are a fact of life in all of FL, especially Miami's subtropical climate. I would think you probably should have some experience with them having lived in Sarasota. They are big, they fly, and they are always around. While infestations do happen, I wouldn't say they are a common occurrance. However, you will most likely see a few inside your house or apartment a few times a year. And you will likely seem them outside as well.

[somebodymiami]

almost all of miami's schools have rat and roache problems. so you will have the same problem at your house.

its the 7th most dangerous metro.

honestly i find most of the beach ugly looking.just make sure you have money

[HowGoesIt]

Two words: Fort Lauderdale.

Don't waste your time on Miami, go 25 miles north. It's cheaper, safer, and just more fun IMHO.

[vpcats]

Try LA first.

[burgler09]

If you love Miami or not will highly depend on the type of person you are. It is something very difficult to answer with just your questions. In all reality, the crime of Miami is overplayed on this forum, it all depends on location though. Miami isn't some city where you can leave your car running while you go to the supermarket, but you also aren't going to fear for your life when you are driving down the street. Honestly, if you are smart you don't have to worry.

Miami is definitely not run down, and for the record I've been to Denver, and when you are here in Miami you will be stunned by the beauty.

I saw a cockroach once on the floor in McDonalds.. honestly, I really didn't think much about it.

There's sooo many places to choose to live in Miami. Soo much depends on the type of person you are though. If you are coming down here for a good time and meet a lot of people, I'll have to recommend South Beach to you. Everytime I go there, there's always people looking to make friends or go out. It is a great vibe on South Beach with literally every type of person, obviously you'll come around people you like and don't like, but if you can't cancel out the people you don't like.. where are you going to be happy?? haha

There's also South Miami which is a nice area near the University of Miami. It has an area with restaruants and bars etc.. nothing like south beach, but it is a more quiet area and generally houses.

Brickell, which is the downtown area of Miami where you will see the big buildings. This is where I currently live and I absolutely love it! It is near all kinds of restaurants and the people in the area are great! I know everybody at all of the places around downtown haha. There's a lot of different things to do such as Mary Brickell (pfft, only been there once.. good way to impress a date though). Nice clubs and bars in the area too, you'll see Lamborghinis and Ferraris on a daily basis.

Coconut Grove: I lived in the Grove also, and this was a very nice place to be. It has its own vibe, and is definitely a cool place and a good place to meet people. Many bars , restaurants and things to do and see.


Spanish in Miami: You can get by without Spanish... yes... but in my opinion, if you learn spanish your experience will be MUCH better , in terms of finding employment or overall happiness in the city. You wouldn't believe how much better I get treated because I speak Spanish or because I like to talk with the people about the countries they are from.

Conclusion? Look, Miami is a different city, and it isn't for everybody. There's not really going to be any place like it, and you have to be prepared for a lot. For me, it is my home(although I'm from Michigan), nothing better and i don't plan to leave. I made the move just like you did, only I came for univeristy. I've grown to love this place and I get along with the people great. You just have to make sure you can deal with the different lifestyle. I didn't like Denver at all, it wasn't my cup of tea... when you are here, don't expect to be in Denver with nice weather. Spend 2 weeks here and decide if you can deal with the traffic, spanish, and all the other weird things you see on a day to day basis.

I hope you enjoy it here, and despite what people say, this is an amazing city!!!!!

[Jordy Lynn:)<3]

Oh my gosh! Thank you guys so much for helping me out! I think I'll take your advise and visit for at least a few weeks before I decide whether or not I want to actually live there. Thank you so much for all of your help!

[psonio7]

Food for thought, I moved from Orlando to Denver 2 years ago for a career move. A few months ago I gave up my decent paying job in DTC, packed my car, sold what didn't fit, and moved back to Orlando.

I used to live in Miami (South Beach in particular). Miami is a pretty big change of pace from Mile High. But of all the petty crimes I have been a victim of (car break-ins, graffiti, etc) happened to me in Denver. Miami is generally ok/somewhat safe (in the right areas..!), kinda like how you'd avoid Montbello and Federal Ave in certain parts of Denver, avoid the area above downtown Miami. Plain street smarts is all you need. If you are unsure of where to live, I'd say take a 6 month apartment lease anywhere on Miami Beach (South Beach, Mid, etc, but not North Miami Beach which is on the mainland). Until you get a feel of the many neighborhoods around Miami.

Save as much as you can, take any job you can get when you get here until you get better established. I was in Miami for a while to go to school, didn't know where to live, so I choose Southbeach, just cause it felt ok to start off, picked up a server job and averaged about 700 a week for 25-35/hrs a week at any ol restaurant on collins/ocean drive. Didn't even drive to work, rode my bike. Expect rent to start at $900/month. I literally walked around looking for "Rent" signs.

I miss Miami sometimes, but Orlando fits me a little better being a mid-sized city (I left the Northeast cause of too much congestion about a decade ago).

[Bostonian08]

Go to South beach Jordy Lynn. That's where all the young and beautiful are, that's where the fun is. If you get work on the beach you won't need a car. You can live anywhere on the island and take the bus. Miami Beach FYI is an Island about 1 mile wide at most and about 20 miles long. It's a great place to live well removed (2 miles out to sea) from the urban problem of Miami which is on the mainland. Mainland Miami has plenty of nice spots, but all of Miami Beach is nice - great in fact. You can probably find work in a restaurant or hotel or a bar - particularly if you're young and cute. And in a place like that, ya never know who ya might meet or what may happen. Bit parts in a movie. Modeling opportunities. Wild weekend with some rock star? Partying for 72 hours straight is a must!

FYI, North Miami Beach is not the same as North Beach. NMB is a little town on the mainland.

You don't need Spanish but attempting to learn some will come across a respecting the people there who do speak it and they will appreciate that a lot. Such a courtesy will buy you a lot of good karma.