Possible move from Houston to Miami (Miami Beach, North Miami: transfer to, income, living)

[Zunk]

I grew up in Houston all of my life and have a love/hate relationship with this city. I am a partnered gay man who has recently been offered a 100k job in Downtown Miami. For years, I have been trying to get out of Houston and now that it is a reality, I am starting to second guess the move for a few reasons:

Most obviously, things are comfortable and I am settled in Houston. I have great friends and, for the most part, enjoy my social life.

Also, almost everything I have read about Miami on all the forums has been negative. I can't tell, however, if someone from Houston (like myself) would necessary think all of the negative posts would impact them since many of the negative aspects of Miami are similar to Houston. (but many are not )

I'm also a bit worried about my partner finding a job once we get there, but he is a Spanish speaker and is an accountant so I'm confident he'll find something. Both of which I am not .

Also, diversity; I mean, real diversity, is important to me. Especially as viewed through the food scene. I love Houston's Chinatown and Little India. I know Miami doesn't officially have any of this, but there has to be excellent ethnic cuisine in the greater South Florida region, right?

Reasons, why I should go:

It's a new adventure in life and I can always leave after a few years.

It's not like I am being offered a job in North Dakota.

Over 30K increase in pay (not factoring in cost of living which I have found is not that drastic..Houston is getting expensive).

My partner and I genuinely love the heat and the ocean.

Ultimately, fear is getting the best of me. Fear of making new friends and finding my place. I don't want to get to Miami and find myself leaving my old friends and lifestyle which, I have to say, is pretty comfortable. Not amazing, just comfortable.

Thanks for letting me ramble on. Any advice would be appreciated,especially from someone who knows Houston and Miami (although I welcome anyone's advice). I want to make sure I am making the most informed decision. Ultimately, I know it is all about your attitude and how I handle a move that will ultimately have the greatest impact on my experience, but I also understand that it is a different experience and would love to hear your advice.

Thanks!

[Lior Arel]

Miami can be an exciting and glamorous city if you have a decent, upper-middle class income and enjoy an urban lifestyle. If you prefer suburban living and/or are solidly in the middle to lower economic classes, it can be pretty rough.

It is beautiful. It is tropical. It does have a diversity of Caribbean and South American cultures. Asian cultures are noticeably absent in Miami.

[Cubanchic]

I have been to Houston, but mostly the port area for work but in terms of heat and humidity it is about the same.

As far as diverse cuisine, you will certainly find that here, the only lacking would be Korean cuisine.

Your partner being Spanish and an accountant will have a easier time finding a job with a lot of business, banking and export cratering to South America.

There is a gay community here and in broward a vibrant one in Wilton Manor.

Miami gets a negative rap because folks that move here want it to be like the places they left and most have a culture shock. having lived here for a very long time I have seen Miami in good days, bad days and evolving and becoming a major city.

Yes there are some negatives, but all cities have that.

[hurricaneMan1992]

$100k is more than enough to live in the best parts of Miami and enjoy the lifestyle.

You'll have to look outside of Miami proper for most ethnic foods, as in "urban" Miami itself you get a lot of "fusion" places, mostly overrated and overpriced. There are decent Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indian places that are holes-in-the-wall within suburban strip malls, most concentrated in North Miami Beach. It kind of sucks though since if you live and work in the city center, they're too far away for lunch and with traffic it's only practical for late dinners or weekends.

[Lior Arel]

Originally Posted by Cubanchic

I have been to Houston, but mostly the port area for work but in terms of heat and humidity it is about the same.

As far as diverse cuisine, you will certainly find that here, the only lacking would be Korean cuisine.

Your partner being Spanish and an accountant will have a easier time finding a job with a lot of business, banking and export cratering to South America.

There is a gay community here and in broward a vibrant one in Wilton Manor.

Miami gets a negative rap because folks that move here want it to be like the places they left and most have a culture shock. having lived here for a very long time I have seen Miami in good days, bad days and evolving and becoming a major city.

Yes there are some negatives, but all cities have that.

Ugh, I wish people would stop pushing the "gay community" of Wilton Manors. Maybe if one is retired...lol

[RegyBery]

I too live in Houston and is seeking a transfer to the Miami area. Im single with no kids but I only make 53,000.. could I survive? I'm not that fancy and I do know how to budget but can I survive? Without staying in a rough area?

[himain]

OP-You'll be fine. The salaries between the two of you will allow you the nicer areas of Miami-say Brickell or Coral Gables. No there's not a specific Chinatown or etc but you will find good restaurants. Just do your research or just go out and try new stuff-that's part of the fun!

[Lior Arel]

Originally Posted by RegyBery

I too live in Houston and is seeking a transfer to the Miami area. Im single with no kids but I only make 53,000.. could I survive? I'm not that fancy and I do know how to budget but can I survive? Without staying in a rough area?

Oh yeah. $53k w/o kids will be fine.

[Zunk]

Thanks for the feedback. Overall, everyone's responses have been pretty positive and are aligned with what I've researched. Any input on the friendliness of the people? Making friends, etc.?

Thanks again!

[Cubanchic]

Originally Posted by Zunk

Thanks for the feedback. Overall, everyone's responses have been pretty positive and are aligned with what I've researched. Any input on the friendliness of the people? Making friends, etc.?

Thanks again!

Oh boy THAT question

Well let's just say that because of a lot of different cultures people living here have to get to know you first before being comfortable. You will find rude folks and be surprised by the occasional friendly stranger but Miami is a big sprawling area and you will get more of a urban attitude rather then a Mayberry vibe.

Because Miami is pretty big there are different areas with different vibes or personalities so depending on the area you will get either a version old the community's personality.

Also Cubans the older ones tend not to be friendly more keeping to themselves at first if you move in a area that has a few in your block. Because of what they went through in the homeland and it has been ingrained in them not to trust nieghbors. Trust me my mom and dad always kept to themselves and they VERY concerned of what the nieghbors would think. The younger Hispanic generations 30's and 40's have been here for a very long time and are much more friendlier.

The other thing is that younger folks tend to be glued to their smart phone/I phone so eye contact just doesn't happen but I figure that is everywhere.

Miami does have friendly folks and not everyone is rude, it is just more of a city vibe then anything else. We recently moved further south and were so pleasantly surprised of the friendliness of our new area, which was just non existing in the westchester/ olympia heights area.