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Miami Moving Advice
Quick Facts
Founded in: 1896
Population: Approx. 431,000
Based on population alone Miami may not be counted among the top 30 largest cities in America. But if you consider the city’s influential businesses, its large number of professional sports teams and the continually increasing number of popular television shows that are filmed in the area, you will discover that the population of a city has little to do with its success. If you’re moving to Miami you can rest assured that you’ll feel the city’s liveliness, prosperity and prospects for success. Perhaps most importantly, because Miami’s population is culturally diverse, you should have no trouble finding a place to fit in and a social niche to call your own. Before you get lost in the excitement of moving to Miami, here are some things you should know before moving to the “Magic City.”
Choosing Miami Movers
As is the case when moving to most places, the search for the best Miami movers requires consideration of price, convenience and reliability. If you know people who have recently moved to Miami you may want to start your search by asking them about their experiences and if they can recommend specific Miami movers. If not, start by calling the Florida Movers and Warehousemen’s Association, an organization of movers that can tell you which Miami movers have pledged to maintain the highest of professional codes and standards. Check these references with the Better Business Bureau to confirm the validity of the recommendation. Interview your Miami movers carefully to determine the trustworthiness of the Miami movers for yourself and make sure that you feel comfortable with them. Finally, remember that while it’s important to compare prices to make sure that you’re getting a good deal. Don’t feel compelled to sign a contract with the cheapest Miami moving company without confirming that their service is reliable. Even if you pay a bit more, it’s important to find Miami movers that you can trust.
Cost of Living in Miami
If you’re moving to Miami it’s a good idea to get a feel for the cost of living so that you can properly negotiate a new salary, find housing that is within your budget and determine how much money you’ll need to live on. On the whole, the cost of living in Miami is about 3.20 percent lower than the national average. Still, housing prices are rather expensive, especially in the rental market. A 1-bedroom rental in Miami costs an average of $1100/month, and a 3+ bedroom home costs an average of $1902/month. Prices for purchasing a home in Miami may be slightly more reasonable, with the median price of a home being about $154,000. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for homeowner’s insurance in Miami, and flood insurance as well, as the area is especially prone to hurricanes. Homeowner’s insurance in Florida costs about $986/year, which is significantly higher than the national average rate of $669.95/year. Flood insurance alone can cost as much as $500/year. Finally, you’ll be happy to know that Florida does not have a personal income tax.
Transportation in Miami
Choosing your Miami neighborhood goes hand-in-hand with determining your transportation needs. Will you be relying on public transportation? Will your commute by car require you to sit in time-consuming traffic? Fortunately, Miami has a very reliable, 4 faced public transportation system, which includes bus service, a people mover, an elevated metro rail and a tri-rail. Make sure to check out the public transportation access in your new neighborhoods (or potential new neighborhoods) to see if you can save time and money by commuting with public transportation.
Miami is also extremely accessible to other cities via Amtrak, interstate highways and air. Miami-Dade International Airport serves over 40 airlines flying to hundreds of cities worldwide. Miami’s port is also the leading hub for cruise lines worldwide. Although you may not be cruising regularly, it’s always nice to have the option available…
Miami is an interesting city because of its vast employment opportunities, cultural diversity and entertainment venues. Don’t be surprised that over 50% of the city’s residents count Spanish as their first language. If it’s not yours, take some time to embrace the language and the city’s markedly Spanish identity. Enjoy new food, new friends and new scenery, and don’t be worried if it takes a few months to adjust – the end result will be worthwhile. Good luck with your move to Miami!