Possible Move to Miami

Hi D., I recently moved from miami to Orlando about 2 years ago. I will tell you that you will regret the move!! Miami is not a family oriented city. We left because the cost of living was so expensive that we couldn't afford to buy a home. Not to mention that it's so congested down there and the crime rate is through the roof. I have a 10 year old son and we lived in the Kendall area right by Dadeland mall which is considered a very good area and I never once let my son play outside for fear that something would happen to him. And although that can happen anywhere in the country in Miami the odds are a lot higher. My husband and I got married in 2005 and soon after I got pregnant. We both decided that we didn't want to raise our family in Miami and therefore moved to Orlando. Let me tell you that I only wish I would have moved long ago. I still have to go back to Miami every once in a while because we have our family there but every time I go I cringe at the thought of being there an entire weekend. Not to mention that I always think I'm going to get crashed from how horrible the people drive down there. Being that you are a single mother with a little girl, I really hope you think twice about moving down there because the quality of life is horrible down there. My son now plays outside everyday here in Orlando and has friends and all the parents know each other and help each other. In Miami I lived in a condo for 5 years and I never once met any of my neighbors because people are so rude and into themselves that no one will acknowledge you. I know I'm really bashing Miami but I didn't realize how bad it was until I actually left. I hope you make the right decision.

Please email me if you have other questions. Good Luck!

Hi D.! I live in Miami right now and my husband and I are getting ready to move to Orlando in the next month with our little one. I'm not sure how familiar you are,,,,but Miami-Dade is a horrible place to raise a family if you have anything to do with it....unless you can afford to live in one of the multimillion dollar per home area and even then your screwed once you leave your subdivision.
Even with the housing market being what it is, homes are still expensive. You'll get a townhome for the same price as a single family home in orlando and it will be smaller and more expensive.
The school district is not good here. Most people end up sending their kids to a private school, and even those aren't necessarily something to rave about.
The traffic is unreal and it seems to get worse by the day/month/year...you get the idea. No matter how great of a driver you are you have to worry about some idiot driving on their cellphone and speeding 30 miles over the speed limit that decides to cut you off and then slam on his breaks. It's really bad! I dread having to get on the road with my child.
However, with all that said...I understand that sometimes you have to go where your job is. That's how we ended up here. So, if you that's the case and you can afford it...try Doral, Kendall,and Weston. The further north you go the less hectic of a life you'll have. There are a lot of newer developements in the West Miramar area that are priced decent for the area since the market is what it is. However, keep in mind that "decent" in miami is overpriced in most other areas.
Best of luck whatever you decide!

Hi,

I love Miami. I used to live and work there for many years. Yes - it is congested. Yes - the cost of living is higher. But there is such a rich and diverse culture there, with so many things to do and see.

I used to work in Downtown and live in Miami Lakes and the commute was tolerable. There are some area that you would do well to avoid, such as Opa Locka, some parts of Hialeah, North Miami or sweetwater. But there are many lovely neighborhoods in Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Surfside, Bay Harbour, Aventura, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. I love the Gables and if I had to move back would choose to live in Coral Gables. It is close to downtown, shopping and the schools in the gables are much better. Unfortunately, the public school system in Miami-Dade is not as good as you get here. Most who can afford it send their children to private school.

You could also consider living in the southernmost parts of Broward county. Parts of Miramar or Pembroke Pines that are close to I75. It can be more of a drive but the 'atmosphere' is more like central florida and less culturally diverse.