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These cities have a lot similarities in terms of size, being urban dense vibrant beach cities that border large world renowned cities, they both have well known pedestrian streets, warm weather, etc. How would you rate these against each other on the criteria below? Also if you vote in the poll exclude Los Angeles and Miami as deciding factors and pretend that these two cities exist on their own without Miami or LA attached to them.
Beaches
Walkablity
Culture
Weather
People
Shopping
Food
Architecture
Nightlife
Diversity
Pedestrian Street (Lincoln Road, Miami Beach vs. 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica)
Ocean Front Street (Ocean Drive, Miami Beach vs. Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica)
Miami Beach felt like place to party, have fun, and to flex. It also didn't feel oriented toward being family-friendly.
Santa Monica is touristy as well, but I would not describe it as being a place to party nor a place to flex. It's a major employment center for a lot of tech companies and startups. Large swathes of it are residential with single-family homes. The city is largely asleep by 10pm with the exception of a handful of bars scattered here and there.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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Sounds like you described South Beach which is but one section of Miami Beach….there are plenty of other quieter, non touristy SFH areas of the beach (including the various barrier islands such as Star, Hibiscus, Palm, The Venetians, Sunset, Fisher, Indian Creek, La Gorce, etc) though be prepared to spend a King’s ransom as well as mid beach, North Beach, Bay Harbor and Surfside (some waterfront high rises will also cost a fortune).
That being said these are 2 of my favorite areas in FL and CA.
I agree that Miami Beach has more of a lively, vibrant feel (certainly SoBe), is unique with its Art Deco architecture and exotic Latin vibe, and is probably a better place to bring wealth earned elsewhere whereas Santa Monica would be a better place to start out and/or make money for the average person.
Miami Beach does not have the visible homeless epidemic that plagues all CA urban cities, including SM. If you are a 1%’er, and into boating, Miami Beach also offers you the opportunity to dock your yacht in many of the sections described above and/or in marinas. MB also affords more high rise living along its beaches.
Santa Monica will have a more temperate climate during the summer whereas MB is ideal from now through mid May. SM is better for surfing yet MB is better year round for body surfing and swimming due to warmer ocean temperatures that do not require a wetsuit.
SM does have The Pacific, mountains in the background and bluffs whereas MB does have the beautiful, turquoise Atlantic; watching the cruise ships heading out to sea from South Pointe Park; and killer views of Biscayne Bay and the downtown Miami skyline from west facing and some barrier islands locations.
Less familiar with SM cultural events but MB has Art Basel (largest art show in North America), Art Deco Weekend, SoBe Wine & Food Festival (largest event in US of its kind), International Boat Show, International Auto Show, Swim Week, and other events throughout the year.
Both have highly walkable areas, including along the beach (and elsewhere).
The SoBe section of Miami Beach is world renowned for its nightlife and nightclubs.
Both have the exact same number of Michelin rated restaurants: 17. SM does a better job with higher quality, lower priced restaurants (even if some are chains, such as Tender Greens).
Shopping depends upon if you include Bal Harbour—located at the northern tip of Miami Beach, though an independent village. If not, Lincoln Road Mall and Promenade are equal corporate store malls. Montana Avenue does have some trendy boutiques that might give SM the edge IF we do not include Bal Harbour Shops.
Overall, my preference is Miami Beach—more unique, exotic, exciting and closer to many more countries that I vacation in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OpinionatedUrbanist
Miami Beach felt like place to party, have fun, and to flex. It also didn't feel oriented toward being family-friendly.
Santa Monica is touristy as well, but I would not describe it as being a place to party nor a place to flex. It's a major employment center for a lot of tech companies and startups. Large swathes of it are residential with single-family homes. The city is largely asleep by 10pm with the exception of a handful of bars scattered here and there.
Last edited by elchevere; 11-10-2022 at 04:05 PM..
Santa Monica wins over more brains and more innovation; Miami Beach wins over more consumption more flaunting wealth. (Or more physical beauty.)
Santa Monica is where The Recording Academy is (which presents the annual Grammy Awards.); Miami Beach is where the Grammy Award attendees would go blow off the steam and party.
The NPR headquarter is in Santa Monica; Miami Beach is where big name DJs like Calvin Harris (who I do not care.) would either live or give gigs.
Beaches - Miami Beach is a bit better overall. Just due to being able to get into the warmer, more clear water. The Pacific here in southern California is too choppy and sometimes too murky for my taste. Bigger waves in California though
Walkablity - Miami Beach edges Santa Monica for this, overall
Culture - Miami Beach barely
Weather - Santa Monica is much better climate-wise, year-round. Miami Beach is too muggy far too many months during the year
People - Friendlier people in Santa Monica, in my experience
Shopping - giving the edge to Miami Beach, although they are both close
Food - giving the edge to Santa Monica. Miami Beach has some very good establishments, but Miami Beach can be SUPER expensive if you don't watch out where you land to eat
Architecture - Miami Beach due to the gorgeous art deco style
Nightlife - Miami Beach wins here
Diversity - Santa Monica barely wins--both are cosmopolitan and diverse, however
Pedestrian Street (Lincoln Road, Miami Beach vs. 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica) - I prefer 3rd Street Promenade
Ocean Front Street (Ocean Drive, Miami Beach vs. Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica) - I prefer Miami Beach here
Uniqueness - Miami Beach barely wins due to architecture
Vibrance - gonna give the edge to Miami Beach due to bars and clubs
Economy - Santa Monica. Higher wages overall and bigger city in LA that pays WAY better than Miami
Scenery - Santa Monica has much better scenery--mountains and beach
Probably SM on paper, but I honestly felt unsafe last time I was down at the Third St Promenade due to the homeless/druggies there. It wasn’t at all like how I remembered it as a kid in the late 90s, I’m sure it was still there to some extent but nothing like how it is now.
I’ve not been to the actual pedestrian area of Miami Beach, but other pedestrian areas I’ve been to like Fort Lauderdale / Sebastian Beach have nowhere near the sorts of blight issues that SoCal beach cities have. Not sure if they’ve improved the promenade area at all in SM but I wouldn’t want to go back if they haven’t.
I don’t even like Miami Beach for vacationing, and I’m not terribly fond of the Miami area in general.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc
My take--
Beaches - Miami Beach is a bit better overall. Just due to being able to get into the warmer, more clear water. The Pacific here in southern California is too choppy and sometimes too murky for my taste. Bigger waves in California though
Walkablity - Miami Beach edges Santa Monica for this, overall
Culture - Miami Beach barely
Weather - Santa Monica is much better climate-wise, year-round. Miami Beach is too muggy far too many months during the year
People - Friendlier people in Santa Monica, in my experience
Shopping - giving the edge to Miami Beach, although they are both close
Food - giving the edge to Santa Monica. Miami Beach has some very good establishments, but Miami Beach can be SUPER expensive if you don't watch out where you land to eat
Architecture - Miami Beach due to the gorgeous art deco style
Nightlife - Miami Beach wins here
Diversity - Santa Monica barely wins--both are cosmopolitan and diverse, however
Pedestrian Street (Lincoln Road, Miami Beach vs. 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica) - I prefer 3rd Street Promenade
Ocean Front Street (Ocean Drive, Miami Beach vs. Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica) - I prefer Miami Beach here
Uniqueness - Miami Beach barely wins due to architecture
Vibrance - gonna give the edge to Miami Beach due to bars and clubs
Economy - Santa Monica. Higher wages overall and bigger city in LA that pays WAY better than Miami
Scenery - Santa Monica has much better scenery--mountains and beach
I much prefer Santa Monica, but I agree with you on Miami Beach winning for beaches, walkability, nightlife, and uniqueness.
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