Should I move to Miami from NoVa?

[MadManofBethesda]

First a little background: I lived in the Maryland suburbs of DC (Bethesda/Chevy Chase, Olney, Gaithersburg) for 25 years before moving to Las Vegas a couple of years ago. I am a native Miamian and currently renting a condo on Miami Beach for three months and driving into West Miami (not too far from Doral) daily.

Now to answer some of your questions: Driving across the bridges in the morning and returning in the afternoon is no problem whatsoever. You're heading against traffic and it will add no more than 5-10 minutes to a commute from downtown to Doral (depending upon where on the beach you're starting from).

The traffic in Miami is not nearly as bad as D.C., but the drivers are much crazier. And speeding, abrupt lane changes, and tailgaiting is the least of it. I'm talking downright crazy and idiotic. A couple of days ago, I saw a moron quickly cross four lanes of traffic on a local expressway, slam on his breaks as he tried to exit and realized that he wouldn't make it, and then drive down the grass embankment to rejoin the exit!

I think the Spanish issue is overblown, and is actually much better than it was 30 years ago when I lived here. Back then, there would be many times when I would walk into an establishment (store, grocery, restaurant, etc.) and no one spoke English. I haven't yet had a problem like that since I've been back. And I'm not just talking about Miami Beach either. I've been doing my grocery shopping and buying gas in southwest Miami because it's cheaper than on the beach. I've been doing my banking there too because it's more convenient for me. I've also been going to restaurants there; a couple of which are in/near Doral: Shorty's & Flanagan's. I've never had a problem communicating with any server/store employee/bank teller I've encountered. In fact, I heard a phrase last week that I never thought I'd hear uttered in Miami: a woman walked up to the pharmacy in a CVS and asked the pharmacist if he spoke Spanish. (He did and they continued their conversation.) I remember seeing signs in stores 30 years ago that stated "We speak English" because it had become such a rare experience for Anglos to find English-speakers in Miami. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

[Tarvas]

Thanks, madman. I'm going to be running around on Friday night and Saturday day. Still not sold on the beach. Haven't had a real commute in four years, but it's good to know the bridges aren't a big deal. Kind of liking the idea of a high rise condo in downtown or Brickell. If i found a place I really liked at the beach, I would still consider it.

[amIayankee?]

Tarvas, where in NOVA are you from? arlington, alexandria, fairfax? further out? Traffic wont be as bad as in DC, but it exists especially around rush hour and you get used to the miami rythm... Condo prices are on the rise in Brickell, they are building more/have plans in the works.

you will find what people consider normal distances to drive to be longer than your used to (although this depends where in nova your living).

[Olmyt]

NOVA is very different from here so it depends on your style...I personally couldnt imagine living in fairfax again!