Vegas to Miami? (Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour: extended stay, apartment complexes, rental)

[TheReubs]

I'm looking to move out of Las Vegas and have been thinking about the greater Miami area. Vegas isn't my kind of city at all. I don't like the clubs and bar scene. I like being outside, the beach and just being active. I know Miami is another party/nightclub heavy place like Vegas but I can't imagine that's all there is. I'm 23 years old, graduating school in December and will be a Massage Therapist after that. Does anyone know the job market for MTs down there right now? I'd also appreciate any info on rent rates in decent parts of town. From what I've read on here, Coral Gables seems nice and not too far away from the beach. Any other areas I should look into? The most important thing to me in a neighborhood is safety and space. I don't want to feel crammed in. I'd like to get as much info before I take a trip down there. And lastly, this might seem like an odd question, but what are the people like down there? Are the majority of people shallow and materialistic like Vegas? Or are they more laid back and easy going?

Thanks a lot.

[Coconut1]

Well, I'm not really sure what the field is like for MT, but considering SoFla is a very large area (heavy on tourism,) I wouldn't imagine you'll have too hard a time finding work.

The good thing about Miami is there's a scene for almost anyone. Whether you're part of the nightclub scene, country club scene, education/scholar scene, etc. there's plenty of people out there, you just have to find them.

You're not going to find space per se like half acre lots. You'll have to go further west for that. Coral Gables is nice and if you settle close to the Metrorail you can take it to get downtown without having to fight traffic, find parking, etc.

You'll find people telling you safety is horrible and people telling you it's not a problem, but when it comes down to it as long as you're aware of your surroundings you should be fine. Obviously don't go trodding in to the ghetto with your Rolex on

As far as the people, I don't find them to be shallow or materialistic, but keep in mind you'll probably keep to yourself besides exchanging pleasantries with your neighbors. Like I said, I don't find it shallow, I find it refreshing that they're not all concerned with what you're doing and are not in your business.

Thing to note, I currently don't live in Miami. These are my observations based off research and an extended stay in a condo in a Miami high rise. I plan on moving there next year.

Good luck, I hope it all works out

[r_k]

Vegas and Miami are similar in many ways, esp. as far as people go. Vegas is a larger tourist destination than Miami (other than the southern 2 miles of Miami Beach). Traffic is worse in Miami (and I know it is pretty slow in Vegas, but not the same number of suicidal drivers). Don't know specifically about your field, but unemployment is currently very high in general. The weather is better in Miami in winters, in the summers it's a wash between the two. Crime wise they're not all that different, a lot depends on where you are. Most places are OK. The general infrastructure in Miami (outside downtown, the beach and a few suburbs), and skill level of workforce, is generally poor or average by US standards. I'd say your experience will ultimately depend on the job you get, your co-workers, and your close friends and/or relatives, the city only plays a secondary role, so focus on the former. Good luck.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by TheReubs

I'm looking to move out of Las Vegas and have been thinking about the greater Miami area. Vegas isn't my kind of city at all. I don't like the clubs and bar scene. I like being outside, the beach and just being active. I know Miami is another party/nightclub heavy place like Vegas but I can't imagine that's all there is. I'm 23 years old, graduating school in December and will be a Massage Therapist after that. Does anyone know the job market for MTs down there right now? I'd also appreciate any info on rent rates in decent parts of town. From what I've read on here, Coral Gables seems nice and not too far away from the beach. Any other areas I should look into? The most important thing to me in a neighborhood is safety and space. I don't want to feel crammed in. I'd like to get as much info before I take a trip down there. And lastly, this might seem like an odd question, but what are the people like down there? Are the majority of people shallow and materialistic like Vegas? Or are they more laid back and easy going?

Thanks a lot.

Sheesh, Miami and Vegas are probably the two most similar to each other cities that are out there - except the humid/dry and beach/no beach thing.

But the tourism, drinking, nightlife, people, etc. are pretty much top 1 and 2 for that reputation and reality in the nation by far. There is a reason that most of the 'wild' type tv shows choose Miami or Vegas for most things that are like that.

Also, while it can be said there are vast areas of both cities that ARE NOT like that....but being that that is what you don't like about Vegas, and you haven't got off that tourist strip there to discover the 'not like that' parts of Vegas...it's doubtful the places you'd attract yourself to in Miami would be much different.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by TheReubs

I'm 23 years old ... any info on rent rates in decent parts of town. ... Coral Gables seems nice and not too far away from the beach. Any other areas I should look into?

The most important thing to me in a neighborhood is safety and space. I don't want to feel crammed in.

.... Are the majority of people shallow and materialistic like Vegas? Or are they more laid back and easy going?

Thanks a lot.

Well, the best parts of Miami (including Coral Cables, a separate municipality) are among the most densely populated, certainly in this region of the country, so space is at a premium.

If you want the best and safest, stick to the Metrorail corridor running from downtown/Brickell, passing through Coral Gables, and on to Dadeland (look up metrorail and study the map).

A 1 bedroom rental may run from $1,000 to $1,400, depending on exact area and quality, maybe less than $1,000 for a dump.

As mentioned, if you use common sense, chances are that you can avoid being a victim of crime. Generally speaking, however, if you are not a victim of crime, the crime rate is 0%, if you are a victim, then 100%, it's a crap shoot. Again, your chances are better in the corridor mentioned.

I don't think you can generalize a whole city population in such categories as shallow or materialistic. However, it may be fair to say that life in Miami can be intense, especially during your working years, maybe less so in retirement areas like the coastal corridor from northern Miami Beach to around Bal Harbour.

Good Luck!

[Coconut1]

I think I'm probably the most enthusiastic about the map created by one of the members here, but it has helped me a lot in looking at areas and I'm sure it will help you, too.

Miami-Dade County - Google Maps

[tbarreto]

RK, both cities are similar-are you crazy??? The only thing slightly better in Miami is the weather from December to February, that's it. Jobs suck there (no pay), traffic is horrendous, taxes and insurance are outrageous, people are rude, crude and uneducated (for the most part), hurricanes will throttle you and there is a prevailing "thug" mentality amongst the youth.

For the Reubs, don't make the move-you'll be back in less than three months. Las Vegas is going through a tough time now but who isn't? At least in Vegas you'll see the bounce-back much quicker and it's a very resilient city. People will always come to Vegas to get away from reality and as long as we have the beautiful lights, great weather, awesome shows, premier dining and beautiful scenery, they will flock and spend their money-the jobs will come back. Miami is a city that was built on drug money and has a decimated service economy-they've even run out of land to build (not that anyone's building now-that industry has died for the next twenty years).

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by tbarreto

and has a decimated service economy

I don't agree with almost all you said, but this especially stood out.

Take away the hotels and casinos in Vegas and how much economy do you have left? Really, be honest with yourself.

Vegas is the epicenter of service economy.

[TheReubs]

Thanks for all the posts, everyone. Yeah, I know common sense plays a huge role in staying safe in skecthy neighborhoods. I'm more concerned with my car being broken into and stuff like that. I live in an better than average area of Vegas and I know a few people who have theft problems. And the space aspect of my post was really just hoping that there aren't blocks and blocks of apartment complexes and houses smashed together. Maybe I'm being too picky since I grew up in Wyoming, but one of the few things I liked up there was the 10ft or so of space between your house and your neighbors.

Coconut1- That map is super cool. Thanks.

tbarreto- Vegas' economy is almost entirely one dimensional. Take away the strip and gambling and there's almost nothing left. I think Miami has a ton of international banks as well as one of the largest ports in the world too. It seems like Miami's economy is much more stable. I know Miami isn't paradise and perfect but it doesn't have to be. It just has to be better than Vegas and the only way I'll really know that is by going down there and checking things out further for myself. Thanks for the post. I like hearing all sides....

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by TheReubs

Thanks for all the posts, everyone. Yeah, I know common sense plays a huge role in staying safe in skecthy neighborhoods. I'm more concerned with my car being broken into and stuff like that. I live in an better than average area of Vegas and I know a few people who have theft problems. And the space aspect of my post was really just hoping that there aren't blocks and blocks of apartment complexes and houses smashed together. Maybe I'm being too picky since I grew up in Wyoming, but one of the few things I liked up there was the 10ft or so of space between your house and your neighbors.

Houses are much closer together then they are in WY, I'm sure

The good news is that you could always plant some dense foliage and that will at least screen your neighbors. The good thing about SoFla is 1) an abundance of plants can grow there so you have a great selection of options and 2) It's really a 12 month growing season so whatever you do plant will fill in pretty quick.