Going to teach in Miami-Dade Public Schools (Jacksonville, Tampa: apartment complexes, renters)

[PurdueGirl]

Hi! I am 24. I am a minority (Asian). I know one person in Miami, but I like to be kind of a homebody anyway. For the majority of my life I have lived in suburban areas of the midwest, but I did live in a rougher area of Indianapolis for awhile. I was not really scared, but I was always aware of the possibilities of things happening. I am a "typical midwesterner" in that I have a friendly/welcoming demeanor.

I am seriously considering becoming a teacher in the Miami-Dade School District. I would be moving from Madison, WI and would likely be teaching elementary school.

I expect to be challenged, but that is one of the primary reasons I am considering moving. I have read mixed opinions about the need for teachers in Miami. I can speak conversational Brazilian Portuguese and I am fluent in English.

Are there any teachers that can tell me their experiences?

I have also read that commuting is terrible. I am guessing that there are better times to commute if you plan your drive (like most places).

I realize that Miami is not the safest area, but realistically, are there places that I can live where I will be comfortable if my dogs have to go out at 10pm at night? I will be living alone. I could rent a house/townhome/condo/apartment.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[doggiebus]

My sister after she got her masters taught at the best HS in Miami-Dade, after about 4 years of teaching she left the education field. She left because of low salaries and the beaurcracy in the Miami-Dade School System. She s know making more than double what she was making as a school teacher. Miami-Dade and Broward they have some incentives right now for attracting new teachers. So check in to them. As many teachers have left South Florida, as it is hard to live in South Florida on a teachers salary. I would avoid living/working in Miami-Dade. If you are set in moving to South Florida I would suggest at least live and work in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale) it is a little cheaper and nicer over-all.

As far as a mid-westener moving to Miami, I wouldn't suggest it. If you want to move to Florida maybe look at Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville.

[PurdueGirl]

I feel that as a young person living on my own the salary for a teacher (37-38k) will be sufficient. I truthfully do not plan to stay in Miami for the rest of my life, but for a few years while I am young I feel that it might be valuable experience.

I looked around at apartments and saw that I could probably get a nice one bedroom for around 1100/month.

Is Miramar is nice?

[doggiebus]

37-38k isn't much in south Florida. Your money will be tight for sure...To give you an idea on rent, my sister just rented her 1br + den, 1.5 bath in West Kendall for $1300 a month. Don't forget that your car insurance will go up coming from the mid-west, as we have high rates in South Florida. You should get renters insurance on the apt, just incase we do get hurricanes (hopefully not this year, knock on wood). And then you have the basics tv, phone, electric, etc...

I am not fimiliar with Miramar sorry.

[lauralei2]

Check out western areas of Miramar, west of Red Road, that is. East areas of Miramar are depressed areas. Apartments along Red Road/Flamingo Road corridor are worth checking into. Some are condos, though. There is one just south of Pembroke Road on Flamingo on the southwest west corner. Also, Miami Lakes has apartments. You have to look around. The older ones would be cheaper. Another area is off 183rd street between 67 to 87 Ave, near Country CLub of Miami, there is a lot of apartments to choose from. Good luck.

[DoveDiva]

I taught in MDCPS immediately after graduation up until I moved to Atlanta (2001-2003)

I taught at a school very close to the airport where I was in the minority racially. (I am black, and over 90 percent of my students were of Latino descent) I had one incident where a student decided to use a racial epithet when describing me--I nipped that in the bud with an administrative write up and parental contact.

The district itself was fine. I think I knew what to expect since I am a product of MDCPS schools and I did my student teaching in an MDCPS school.

As far as lifestyle...I lived in Pembroke Pines and commuted to an area very near the MIA airport. My commute was 35-45 minutes on a good day. It bothered me at first, but that's the price you pay in order to live in a nice area. I felt very safe in the apt community that I lived in.

I must say this: I left Miami because the teacher salaries don't keep up with the cost of living. I left Miami for Atlanta and I currently teach in a district with a lot less red tape, and a much better salary.... To give you an idea: I make more than someone teaching in MDCPS that has a BS degree and 14 years of experience under their belt...and I just finished my sixth year teaching in a suburban metro Atlanta district and I just have a BS degree.

I'm not saying this to deter you from considering Miami...I am just giving you the real facts.

[PurdueGirl]

For one person? What kind of expenses exist in florida that do not exist other places? I could live on 31k in Chicago. I would think 37-38k would be OK for someone that does not have an extravagant lifestyle.

Any other opinions?

[DoveDiva]

Seriously, it's easy to say, "Oh I'd live on 37K in Miami."

Factor in taxes, insurance, gas, rent, light, water, food, etc....and you aren't left with much.

For the type of area you are interested in, you will EASILY be paying over 1K in rent alone. That basically will eat up one of your paychecks.
Do you have a car? Expect your car insurance to be high. Then factor in your utilities, and you really aren't left with much.

I don't know about you, but I don't believe in the idea of living paycheck to paycheck...which is the reality of most teachers in Miami.

[doggiebus]

You have the basics like any other places.

Car Insurance (like I said our rates are higher than in the mid-west. When I moved to North Florida to go to school, my car insurance rate dropped in half from Miami. When I moved back to South Florida, that same car now 4 years older, the insurance rate doubled when I moved to South Florida)

Renters Insurance you should get (I would assume its a lot higher than the mid-west, just because of the hurricane thing)

[Chelito23]

I also worked for MDCPS, in Middle and High schools, so the experience would be somewhat different.

I have friends who work in the elementaries though....

With that said, the schools are in bad shape. There are some diamonds in the rough, but a teacher new to the district or rookie will not be going to those schools. You will most likely be hired at a Failing or D school....

Those schools can be downright scary, dangerous and depressing. Even a C school in Dade County would be a ghetto school in other areas of the country.

There is a lot of bureacracy and nepotism in the schools. There is no room for advacement. Most od the kids have no sense of civilized behavior. Language will be a barrier as will be culture and then the pervasive ghetto culture. Miami is not a healthy place to live, and the schools reflect all of the negativism that is vented on the forum.

If you are looking to live in Miami just for the thrill for a year or two, it is doable. There is no future for teachers here, since the salaries are too low and do not keep up with the out of control cost of living increases here.

There are housing crisis issues here as well. A nice apartment that ALLOWS dogs will be well over 1K. 1K would be a decent apartment, but a place where you will feel comfortable, coming from the Midwest with pets, where you can walk them at 10PM at night, will be closer to 1,500 a month.

Miramar has some nice apartment complexes that are new, but it is a major car culture...it is like pulling onto an expressway, you can't walk your dogs down Miramar parkway.

Check out an in-law's quarter's or cottage behind a house in Coconut Grove or the Gables. There is a dog culture in these areas, nice homes, and you will also be able to enjoy what Miami has to offer. Since you aren't planning on saving for the future and just living for the moment, these areas would eat up your money but I really think you would find them more centrally located and rewarding.

Good Luck.