Is south Florida a good place for me? (Miami, Palm Beach: transplants, apartment)

[MDborn]

Thanks for reading. You can either reply or vote, I don't mind either. Some info about me:
I'm going to be getting my degree in either architecture or sports journalism. If south Florida has a good job market for either that would be good. Specifically talking about the West Palm to south Miami area, further south would be fine too, but mainly those areas. I would like a place that is family friendly and a good place to raise a family. I love summers, and I love 4th of July fireworks. I love sports, college, pro and HS. I mainly like living in small, rural communities, but don't mind big cities. I love being outdoors, doing anything really. I especially love playing sports and boating. I love hot weather, and don't mind the humidity. Also i would like a place that is dog friendly.Thanks for any replies/ votes. If I think of more, I'll add it.

[tallrick]

Weather is bad 6 months, there are few rural areas unless you go north of Broward. Not family friendly but boating is pretty common here. The deciding factor should be your income. If under 100,000 a year do not waste your time living in southeast Florida.

[Just1Lion]

you most certainly do not need to make 100k to survive in south florida. its actually quite affordable to live there.

[Optional Angel]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Weather is bad 6 months, there are few rural areas unless you go north of Broward. Not family friendly but boating is pretty common here. The deciding factor should be your income. If under 100,000 a year do not waste your time living in southeast Florida.

That's just ridiculous. I know plenty of people who survive on ~16k. And they're perfectly content, they find money to do all the things they like. 100k might be needed if you want to live in a 3/2 apartment on South Beach and go out to clubs every weekend, but for what the OP wants, he can live just fine with whatever he has as long as he can budget and makes a few sacrifices, just like anywhere else. OP, sounds like you don't mind the warm weather, which is nice, you will love that aspect of South Florida then because we have plenty of it. It seems you would do better to stay in Broward or PB counties, you will find much more affordable housing and more family-friendly neighborhoods.

[doggiebus]

OP - The only person that can tell you if you will like Miami is yourself. The best thing is to visit Miami and see if you like it.

As for the things you mentioned, I see a few things. I personally wouldn't raise a family in South Florida, that is just me. I have friends that have left South Florida to raise their children in better places in their mind and then on the flip side I have friends that are raising children in South Florida right now. It all depends.

FYI Miami or South Florida for that matter does not celebrate the 4th of July like the rest of country. Mainly because it is just way to hot, humid, rainy or there are tons of mosquitos that time of year. I never understood the difference until I spent 4th of July in a few other cities.

Your comment about living in small rural areas, well there are not many between Miami and Palm Beach. They are not necessarily the cheaper areas to live, they can be more expensive because we don't have much land left.

South Florida is becoming much more dog friendly, there are plenty of sporting events and sporting things to do. Good thing you like heat and humidity because it can be hot and humid 8-10 months out of the year. We typically only have 4-5 months of perfect weather, hence the term Snowbird season or high tourist season which is from Dec-April when most people come to Florida.

The best thing is come and visit, drive around see if you like it. Visit in August and see it for yourself. Best of luck!

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by Optional Angel

That's just ridiculous. I know plenty of people who survive on ~16k. And they're perfectly content, they find money to do all the things they like. 100k might be needed if you want to live in a 3/2 apartment on South Beach and go out to clubs every weekend, but for what the OP wants, he can live just fine with whatever he has as long as he can budget and makes a few sacrifices, just like anywhere else. OP, sounds like you don't mind the warm weather, which is nice, you will love that aspect of South Florida then because we have plenty of it. It seems you would do better to stay in Broward or PB counties, you will find much more affordable housing and more family-friendly neighborhoods.

yes perhaps living on 16k in hialeah with loads of family and friends to lean on but if youre on your own (as most transplants are) its a little tougher than that.

[Yeahok]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.