When it comes to choosing the best place to live, there are many factors to consider. If you have a family, you’ll want to select a location with access to good schools, spacious housing, and community activities for children.
Single professionals looking to choose a place to live will probably want somewhere that offers a variety of social activities, bars, and nightlife entertainment to enjoy after a busy day at work. For retirees, favorable weather and low taxes are probably high on your list of priorities, along with low-impact recreational activities such as golfing, beach walking, or even sailing.
No matter what you are looking for, there’s no place in the country that offers all of these benefits and more quite like Miami, Florida. Check out all of the benefits that make this sunny beachside city one of the best places to live in the USA and then start the process to choose one of the high-quality moving companies in Miami so you can move in and get your new life started.
1. Cost of Living
Miami’s affordability is unbeatable, especially considering its premium waterfront location.
Rent ranges from $1100 to $2000 per month for many rental properties. Additionally, Miami’s real estate market is always hot, making it an excellent (and affordable) store of value for those seeking properties for a first or second home – or even as a passive rental income.
Other living costs are also pretty affordable, as well as the costs of Miami long-distance movers, especially when compared to other popular US cities. Generally, individuals or families can expect to pay the following in monthly living expenses.
2. Food
Whether it’s in a restaurant or weekly grocery shopping, prices for meals and kitchen staples are in the average to the low average range, with restaurant meals costing anywhere between 10-75 dollars for 1-4 people.
Weekly groceries make living costs even more affordable, with milk costing about $1 per gallon and fruit and veg costing around $2 per pound.
3. Transportation
As any good guide to move to Miami will tell you, you don’t necessarily need a car if you live in an area near one of Miami’s public transportation services. Featuring an extensive bus and rail system, residents of Miami can pick up a monthly transportation card for a little over $100 per month.
If you have a car, you can expect to pay a monthly average of $3.07 per gallon (at the time of publication). Car insurance varies depending on your level of coverage, but current averages put the cost of car insurance in Miami between $300-$450 per month.
4. Entertainment
For many, entertainment costs will be the essential factor in determining whether or not Miami is a good place to live. Fortunately, regardless of how you like to entertain yourself, Miami has a ton of options that fit within any budget, including:
- 16 different beaches
- 147 parks, nature reserves, and green spaces
- thousands of nightclubs
- countless restaurants and cafes
- variety of festivals and events throughout the year.
- numerous interactive art and science museums
Many of these activities, such as the beaches and parks, are completely free and offer a full day of entertainment without spending a dime. Other entertainment options such as nightclubs and festivals may cost a bit more but certainly won’t break the bank for the working professional thinking about moving to Miami.
5. Safety
Safety is a number one concern for most anyone, especially families thinking about relocating to the city of Miami. Fortunately, Miami is considered a very safe city with the safest neighborhoods to live in being:
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Kendall
- Pinecrest
- Bal Harbour
- Aventura
- Sunny Isles Beach
Any of these neighborhoods will not only be the safest places to live in Miami but also provide all of the benefits that Miami has to offer, including fabulous weather, low cost of living, and fantastic entertainment options.
6. Job Opportunities
Cost of living and safety can frankly be way down on the priority list to those thinking about relocating in order to secure a job. Of course, if you don’t have a job, you’ll want to do research to find out how much movers cost in Miami. But, one of the top answers to why is Miami a top destination, is because the city offers one of the most robust job markets in the country, with the employment rate increasing several percentage points each year since 2018.
Whether you are working in real estate, nursing, marketing, or education, you will be able to find a job in Miami. If you are hoping to find a job the moment you get to Miami, consider applying for a job in its fastest-growing sectors:
- IT
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Life & Physical Sciences
- Legal
- Project Management
- Construction
Whether you are looking for a career change or hoping to advance within your current job field, Miami has several growing sectors perfect for meeting your employment needs.
7. Culture
No city would be worth visiting, let alone living in, if it didn’t offer diverse cultural opportunities that helped expand a person’s horizons. Fortunately, Miami gives you the chance to learn about any culture from anywhere around the world.
With a considerable population of Cuban and other Spanish-speaking residents, Miami has one of the most vibrant Latin-American cultures in the world. With 60% of the population speaking Spanish, the ability to learn a second language will be easy if you choose to make Miami your home.
And it’s not just languages that you’ll get exposed to in Miami. It is also home to some of the best international food in the world from countries such as:
- Dominican Republic
- Mexico
- China
- Cuba
- India
- Bahamas
Not only will you get to experience the most diverse food scene in the country, but you’ll also have an opportunity to learn about customs and traditions from around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to worry about hurricanes in Miami?
While Florida can be prone to hurricanes due to its tropical weather and proximity to weather patterns coming off the equator, national weather services report that a hurricane will hit Florida about once every 3 to 6 years. Miami is very prepared for hurricanes, though.
What is the best time of year in Miami?
Miami boasts nearly perfect temperatures year-round, but the best time to visit or move there will be from late fall to late spring. During this time, the weather averages in the mid to high 70s and has the least humidity.
Are taxes lower in Miami?
Yes. Not only does the state of Florida have no personal income tax requirement, but other taxes related to property or sales are some of the lowest in the country.
Is Miami a good place to live? You Betcha!
Miami is quickly becoming one of the most popular places in the country to live with its low crime rates, growing job market, and abundant cultural opportunities. Furthermore, Miami is unique among American cities in its year-round perfect weather making it an amazing place to live no matter the time of year.
