Considering Miami Young Professional! ADVICE!! HELP!! (University, Naples: rental, condo, student loans)

[diamonte12]

I am 24 and currently living in Naples. I am from NY where things run fast. I accepted a job in Naples and it is a snooze fest. I am the youngest person there by 40 years. I know I will be moving; the question is where. I originally thought Ft. Lauderdale. I have visited many times and always enjoyed myself. I want action, people my age and opportunities to make new friends and meet new people. A lot of people have mentioned Las Olas as "the spot" to live in and play at. I looked it up and it seems like The Mercato in Naples. Don't get me wrong The Mercato is nice, but there are only a couple bars. (Burn, Blue Martini and The Pub) I am afraid that Las Olas is the same way. I am afraid because I suppose I am biased. There is no real definitive area for young people in Naples (clearly) and I fear that everywhere is like that. I am considering Miami, but I will be honest when I say that I don't know much about it. I have heard all the stories about Miami being huge with danger, drugs, violence, gangs and not safe unless you have tons of money. I am from NY and none of that really scares me. Of course I am looking for safety. As a young professional, I don't have an endless cash flow. My career is just beginning and student loans need to be paid. I know I would need a roommate. Where are the places for people my age to go out? I know of course about South Beach, but where else? Also, where are safe places to live with other young people around? I know that the University of Miami is there so that would definitely house young people. Any suggestions? Is Miami a good/bad idea? Is Ft. Lauderdale a better idea/worse idea? I am young and I want to be a fun and vibrant area with people my age.

[JacobMAX]

Yes, for you it is sounding like probably somewhere in Dade would be better, something more urban and with more things to do. While the areas people talked about in FTL are good and quite a bit cheaper and safer than similar equivalent areas in Dade, it is without a doubts slightly more dreary - in the 'boring' sense of the word, that is.

I don't really know that specifically about nightlife in FTL / Las Olas, only general info.

The whole area spreading from Midtown/Design Destrict through Downtown/Brickell until Coconut Grove (the east of SW 32nd Ave bits of it) would be recommended in your case, together with Mia. Beach. It's vibrant, loads of people of your age range, lots of new high-rises, great and proper nightlife and safe for the most part, but more money to live in, plus it's sort of an area that most people tend to value "Image is everything" status above all lifestyle - which most persons think and know that's just drivel, obviously. Also they're mostly still up and coming areas, so they have a few other issues. Public transport is nice in the more central locations.

But you should give us your rental/housing budget, so as to recommend the specific neighborhoods as Miami is expensive to live and also your main (your 1st) priority (like safety, or amenities, or more action/vibrant area, etc.), for basically the same reason.

[FlyMIA]

You want to be in Miami, Brickell or downtown that is where a lot of the young professionals live work and hang out. Just need to know what your price range is and you obviously need to have a job over here too. A studio will be over $1200 in downtown and more in Brickell. A two bedroom would get you in th $2000 a month range or higher.

[diamonte12]

I like the idea of vibrant, artsy, urban and funky. I know that I would have to get a roommate or roommates. There is no way I could afford living on my own. Are there areas around those places of nightlife, but not necessarily in the heart of it to live? Maybe like 5-7 minutes away? I couldn't not afford to be in the heart of things, but a short drive wouldn't be bad. Also, what are some high schools around there? What are good high schools and what are rougher high schools??

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by diamonte12

I like the idea of vibrant, artsy, urban and funky. I know that I would have to get a roommate or roommates. There is no way I could afford living on my own. Are there areas around those places of nightlife, but not necessarily in the heart of it to live? Maybe like 5-7 minutes away? I couldn't not afford to be in the heart of things, but a short drive wouldn't be bad. Also, what are some high schools around there? What are good high schools and what are rougher high schools??

You are 24. Who cares about the high schools

[diamonte12]

I teach high school so that is important

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by diamonte12

I like the idea of vibrant, artsy, urban and funky. I know that I would have to get a roommate or roommates. There is no way I could afford living on my own. Are there areas around those places of nightlife, but not necessarily in the heart of it to live? Maybe like 5-7 minutes away? I couldn't not afford to be in the heart of things, but a short drive wouldn't be bad. Also, what are some high schools around there? What are good high schools and what are rougher high schools??

Oh, but still, what would you be willing more or less to spend on an apt. with a roommate? Because depending you could live even within one of those neighborhoods which would overall be a better fit. Other less expensive ones (and still safe and not far from it all) are The Roads, North Bay Village, parts of the Coral Way corridor, possibly Upper East Side and maybe Surfside / Bay Harbor Islands as well - but it's a bit more expensive I think and further away.

High Schools in Dade generally tend to have a lot of drug and gang (mostly minor/street ones though) issues, and are not really nice in most cases. But some districts (like the Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay one) have less problems and are fine overall. Charter and Private Schools are somewhat common (I'd say above national avg.)

[Coconut1]

I'm very unfamiliar with schools but Miami is quite a safe place these days. The *major* drug industry and murders are a thing of the past. I'm sure there are still large amounts of drugs smuggled in through Miami, but considering what it was in the past, it is pretty clean nowadays. As an average person you will not know much about it or even read much about it in the news.

I will second what others have said- South Beach, and Brickell are good places to look at living.

[MiamiRob]

Miami Dade County Public schools is the 4th. largest school district in the US I believe with over 300,000+ students. I wasn't aware that once employed by them you can "pick & choose" which high school you could teach at.
Since you are from the NYC area you should realize Miami is a crowded, dense area as well so 5-7 minutes away from the amenities you are looking for probably only exist in South Beach.
Other than that expect to drive everywhere for what you are looking for.

[diamonte12]

This is all good advice. I have no issue with rougher schools because I taught a lot in city schools. Obviously I don't want to walk in the school and fear for my life, but I have seen my fair share of drugs and gangs while teaching. I'm going to tell you my fears and my hopes. I know that I couldn't afford a place on my own and I don't want to because I want to pay less when I move. I live right now far out from my school and from what little action happens at the Mercato. Living in Naples has really been an eye-opener. I feel like I have aged 40 years. I don't even see people my age around and if I do no one goes out at all. It's so lonely and depressing. I know in a million years that Ft. Lauderdale or Miami wouldn't be like that at all, but this experience is stuck in my head so bad. I'm 24 not 84. I miss having fun, HAVING FRIENDS my age and I miss good food and culture. Everyone has always told me that Miami is too dangerous and that drugs and gangs are all over. I'm not going to lie to you that scares me. I've also heard that a lot of schools are extremely dangerous and that also scares me. I don't want to walk down the street and fear for my life. As a teacher, can I afford a lot in rent ... No. I would love to get a couple roommates and only pay 500/600 a month each. That would be ideal. I know saying that that I would not be able to be right in the heart of South Beach/midtown/ Miami beach. I was hoping maybe being on the outskirts we could rent a townhouse or a condo and get more for our money. That's why I was interested in areas around the action. I also want to look into maybe getting a rental agent who might know some properties. I also know that I can't afford to live beyond my means especially because I have student loans and I want to go back to school. I understand that people say "you get what you pay for" and "you are paying for location", but I can't imagine that I am the only young professional who is working on a fixed income. Maybe Miami is just too out of my price range. I don't know. I wanted to ask and get some feedback. Maybe Ft. Lauderdale is more feasible. They have to have a young area although I have heard mixed
Things about their young area. I just know I am beyond miserable with my current location and need to start really assessing what I can afford for fun and people my age. Is there anyone my age out there who has done it and has feedback? Anyone with advice, I'd surely take it. I love the idea of the culture, the vibrancy, the art, the lively lifestyle. I like it being a big city with a lot of
Sports options.