What keeps you here?

[observer]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

I was also considering the Raleigh area, but with the exploded growth, home prices, and water restrictions, I think that it may not be the same place in 15 years.

You are right. I have even thought about the future of Raleigh and how it may be like in 15, 20, even 30 years if it continues to grow the way it is. I came to the conclusion based on its current population, congestion, its current pattern and other factors that in 15-20 years from now, Raleigh will probably not be anything near what Miami is today. In 20 years Raleigh may be what Miami was 20-30 years ago.

Interesting facts:

Population in Wake County in 2007- 832,970
Population in Miami-Dade County in 1970- 1,275,000


population in Miami-Dade in 2007- 2.4 million

Wake county is expected to pass 1 million people in 2013 and by 2030 is expected to be double of what it is today about 1.5 million people.

Miami Dade had about 1.5 million in the late 70's.

Bottom line, the Raleigh area has a way to go even with its current growth pattern before it reaches anywhere near where Miami Dade is today or even 20 years ago.

[MiamiVice1985]

Interesting... I would love to take a time machine back to 1970's Miami and experience all those old attractions.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by editorguy

As a newcomer to City-Data and a South Florida resident, I've noticed that there are quite a few of you who live in the Miami area who really dislike it. This has piqued my curiosity: What keeps you from leaving?

In no way am I second-guessing those who dislike Miami or the fact you're staying here -- I'm just really interested in hearing your story. Are family obligations (such as a spouse who doesn't want to move) keeping you here? Are you trapped here because your house isn't selling? Are you staying because you're not sure it will be much better anywhere else? Do you want to stay in the hope of making things better?

In my case, family obligations are all-powerful for the time being and we're not in a position right now to even consider leaving the area. We do have our eye on a few other areas in the long term, but that would be for retirement -- assuming we'll be able to afford to retire someday.

1. Clean, warm, salty, humid sea air. :-) It's my absolute favorite thing about Miami. It's great for sinuses!
2. My urban walkable Southbeach neighborhood.
3. International diversity
4. My ability to leave and go to my house in NC whenever I want.

[observer]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

1. Clean, warm, salty, humid sea air. :-) It's my absolute favorite thing about Miami. It's great for sinuses!
2. My urban walkable Southbeach neighborhood.
3. International diversity
4. My ability to leave and go to my house in NC whenever I want.

It seems like you have it pretty good. Especially #4- Able to go to your house in NC whenever you want.

If I was retired or semi-retired with lots of discretionary money, I would probably do something similiar. I'll have a place in Florida(maybe not Miami) and go back and forth whenever I want. I would probably spend the majority of the winter months in Florida. However, I would spend most of the year in NC.

[305guy]

1. The weather (lack of winter) is great
2. The beaches
3. The choices of acitivites (Nightlife:Clubs, Bars, Casinos,etc., Watersports, The Everglades)
4. Proximity to the Carribean, Keys, Orlando, Naples/Marco Island make it convenient for a weekend getaway
5. Diversity of Cultures (Hispanics, Haitian, Jamaican, Jewish, Russian, Greek, Some Asian and Indian) gives us great restaurants

[planetsurf]

I love Miami, specifically many of the big city aspects that others dislike.

I love ...
The ocean and bay.
The weather October-April.
Going out for dinner at 10pm and having to wait for a table (yeah, I'm weird).
Hot women in bikini's rollerbladding past Chasidic Jews on South Beach.
The best tapas in the country.
Tied for the best seafood in the country.
Rum drinks on the deck of some bayside restaurant.
Standing on the east deck of the arena during halftime of a Heat game.
Being able to be ANYWHERE in 4 hours from MIA.
Walking on Lincoln Road.
Hearing French, Spanish, Portugues, in addtition to English, being spoken EVERY DAY.
Roti, jerk chicken, arroz con pollo, ceviche, etc etc etc (I like food)

I dislike ...
Having to speak Spanish in 25% of Miami-Dade (not hearing it, but, for example, buying gas from people who just don't speak basic English).
Traffic.
Finding parking almost EVERYWHERE.
The superficiality of a lot of the people here.
The people who seem to think it's OK to complain about Miami, but not actually DO anything about what they dislike/are complaining about.
Every other aspect of MIA than where you can go.
Not having 'real' seasons.

I hate ...
The weather May-September.