Miami is a coastal metropolis, sitting at the bottom of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, known for its picture-perfect weather, Art Deco architecture, Hispanic influences and pristine beaches. The city is the second most populated in the state, and stands as a major centre of commerce, culture, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. Home to numerous museums, as well as entertainment venues, theatres and parks, Miami has a diverse and inclusive economy with a lively social scene full of great restaurants and hotels.
Recent reports show that more people are moving to Miami than ever, unsurprising given all these reasons to immigrate. If you’re lucky enough to be relocating to Miami, there are probably a fair few things on your to-do list ahead of the move. We’ve compiled 11 things you need to know to get you started.
Getting to Miami
As the cruise capital of the world, Miami has superb transport links both nationally within the US and internationally with the rest of the world. Numerous UK airports including London Heathrow, Manchester Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Dublin Airport provide direct and connecting flights to Miami International Airport. With a variety of airports to choose from, relocating to Miami is made easy.
Travelling around Miami
With a variety of transportation methods, Miami is an easy city to get around. Miami International Airport is only a 17-minute drive from the city centre, or you can take the Metromover, a public train system operating all over the city. The Miami Trolley is a local bus service in operation in certain areas of the city including Edgewater, Miami Beach and Wynwood. Bonus: it’s free! Like other US cities, there are yellow taxis available as well as Ubers and Lyfts.
Where to Live in Miami
Miami has seen a significant rise in people relocating to the city, with a 60% increase in 2022. With this comes the question of where to live in this vibrant city? Here are some of the best options to cater to your needs when moving to Miami:
- Pinecrest: This area is perfect for young professionals and families looking for a tranquil and spacious area in Miami. In this neighbourhood you’ll find beautiful homes, pristine parks, and a family-friendly lifestyle. Only a 30-minute drive to Downtown Miami, where you’ll find the central business district, Pinecrest is a family oasis between this bustling city. This area is great if planning on relocating to Miami with young children or families.
- Edgewater and Wynwood: Both up-and-coming neighbourhoods in Miami, they are ideal for young professionals wanting to be close to Downtown Miami. The properties here often have excellent waterfront views, with newly built skyscrapers close by to shopping and restaurants. Wynwood offers colourful street art and a serene residential lifestyle.
- Brickell and Downtown Miami: Other neighbourhoods for young professionals are Brickell and Downtown Miami. Here you’ll be surrounded by businesses, restaurants, and beautiful high-rise apartments, not to mention the spectacular views all year round. As the hub for international business, this area is great for corporate travel, relocation, and business in Miami.
- Coral Gables: With parks, waterfront views, museums, galleries, and some of the best private schools in Miami, Coral Gables is the ultimate location and only a 25-minute drive from Downtown Miami. Home to the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, this location will have you loving the outdoors and charmed by the Mediterranean architecture surrounding you.
Accommodation in Miami
As many people are travelling for business or relocating to Miami, they opt to use serviced apartments -corporate housing as it is known in America – during their stay. Corporate housing properties tend to feature all the amenities and luxuries of a hotel along with the added space, privacy, and flexibility of a serviced apartment. In addition to a cooking area and dining space, laundry facilities and living room, many of the units have access to a swimming pool, to soak up some Miami sun.
For more information on serviced apartments in Miami, check out our blog on the top 6 corporate serviced apartments in Miami, Florida. If you want to book a serviced apartment, get in touch with a member of our expert team, who will help find the perfect corporate accommodation for you.
Education in Miami
Florida state ranks No. 1 in the US in education, meaning the city of Miami is regarded highly for its schools and universities. With 352 private schools and 403 public schools, there is a large variety to choose from. Some of the best schools are in South Miami near Coral Gables and on South Beach.
The Miami area is home to nearly a quarter of Florida’s colleges and universities. Some of those include the University of Miami, Florida International University and Miami Dade College.
Weather
With a subtropical climate, where summers are hot and humid and winters are mild and slightly chilly, Miami weather will be something to adapt to when moving to Miami. The wet season is between August and October, where you are likely to experience hurricanes and extreme rain, so it might be a good idea to always have an umbrella close by. Meanwhile in the months of March to May, the weather is warm yet not too humid, making for some perfect days at the beach!
Things to do in Miami
Miami draws in millions of tourists for its beautiful beaches and hot weather. Visitors are also drawn to the many activities, museums, and seasonal events on offer in the city. Museums and galleries include the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and The Institute of Contemporary Art. If you prefer the outdoors, South Beach has beautiful sceneries as well as the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The Miami Design District is also a great spot to explore. So, if you’re moving to Miami and want more activities to add to your itinerary, check out our blog on the 8 things you have to see and do.
Where to Eat
Whether you’re looking to take clients, business partners or family out for some delicious food, Miami offers a variety of cuisines at a range of price points. For example, the American cuisine at South Beach, Stubborn Seed, has even been voted the No.1 restaurant on TimeOut! If you’re looking to spice up your taste buds, head to Serena Rooftop for a Mexican al fresco dining experience. Carbone in South Beach offers Italian-American dishes, surrounded by glamorous chandeliers, sleek jewel-toned seating, and contemporary artwork.
Learn the Lingo
Before relocating to Miami, it may be a good idea to learn the lingo! Here are just a few that we think might be helpful to be a true Miamian:
- Dale (da-lay) = Lets go
- Chanks = flip flops
- Getty = a get together
- Irregardless = regardless
- Supposably = supposedly
Business in Miami
With the Central Business District located in Downtown Miami, it is easily accessible to visitors and residents, and home to some large corporations. The Miami Beach Convention Centre is the ideal space for large corporate events as well as the Fountaine Bleau Miami Beach hotel which offers large conference rooms. The JW Marriot Marquis Miami also offers 27 event spaces for large or small conferences. All these locations lend themselves ideally to business in Miami.
Top Tips for Visiting Miami
With all of this in mind, here are the top tips to know if you’re moving to Miami:
- It might be a good idea to learn some Spanish, with 60% of Miami residents being fluent.
- Miami traffic can get pretty bad especially at rush hour, so try to avoid driving between 7 and 9am or 4 and 7pm. Check out the online Miami traffic cams to plan your journey!
- Prepare for some serious rainstorms. When it’s not sunny, it’s likely to be raining and thunderstorms are common, so Miami’s range of indoor activities will come in handy for rainy days.
- They have great food. Miami is known to have fresh and delicious food, so it might be a good idea to book in advance. Some popular restaurants are fully booked up to 3 months in advance!
- This packed city has something for everyone! Maybe write a “Miami bucket list” and you can tick off the activities as and when you do them!
Those relocating to Miami can enjoy the beautiful sunshine, pristine beaches, cultural activities, and a vibrant food scene. For those looking for temporary accommodation to ease into their relocation to Miami, take a look at our range of serviced apartments in the city.
