moving to miami with kids - where to begin?

Question

my husband has a job in miami beach starting feb07. we are from the uk & have never even been there before, yet we are ready for a change & will move over with our 4 young kids, at least for the duration of the 18 months contract.

im worried as we dont speak spanish & i dont even drive. its hard to get honest positive advice on which areas we should even begin to look for rental acomodation in, as so many people are negative about the roads, weather, schools & crime. Surely there is a neighbourhood where i will feel at home & not too isolated while my husband is at work & where i can feel comfortable sending my children to school?

i am used to my modest house & garden, with high fences & trees for privacy, my local shop is less than 5 mins away as are parks & a lake to play at with the kids - my neighbours all say hi to me in the mornings...

surely there a affordable place there for us? one where there will be other mums at home & familes who are completely average like us.

Answer 1

All Brits love Miami Beach. Your kids will love Miami Beach -- especially in January when they are at the beach & everyone they knew back home is wrapped in wool.

If your husband works on MB you'll be best off living there. First, it is closest to what you are used to. It is really the only area of Miami where you can walk to shopping & that has frequent bus service to all the facilities you really need. Before MB was "discovered" it was for years a mecca for retirees, many of whom don't drive. Second, almost everybody (even those whose 1st language is Spanish) speaks English. Third; they have a good police department & it is very safe. Fourth: There are loads of young families with children. Many of them -- especially in some of the most walkable areas -- are orthodox Jewish. Now for the downside: Unless you have an awful lot of money, your own garden is likely out. There are relatively few small private houses available for rental (Most MB houses tend to be large & expensive). You'll most likely be living in an apartment block, tho not necessarily a large one. MB was built when small 4 to 8 unit apartment buildings were in vogue & there are a lot of them. There are also a lot of more recently built high rises. If your husband's employer is supplying the housing, your choice is made for you. If you are choosing it, there are a few things to know. The "real people" don't live on Ocean Drive in South Beach. They live in residential neighborhoods like real people everywhere. MB is eight miles long & about a mile or so wide -- but with residential islands adjoining it. There are residential pockets that are more suited to the car less than others. For instance: Anything near West Avenue or Alton Rd in South Beach (Below 17th St) will put you within walking distance of everything. Same with Normandie Isle (Up North) or what is called "North Shore" around 71st St. & North to about 95th St.

Answer 2

My first advice , is learn to drive now. In the States it's easier because the cars are automatic.The distances between shops, schools and housing is often far.Working hours tend to be longer than the Uk, so your husband may not feel like going to out to do shopping. Most of the food stores are Hugh Supermarkets.So Public transport in Miami is real bad.

Spanish is not a concern , people are bi-lingual.However,Maybe if you have spare time you can learn the language. Please note that the Spanish is not the European Version

I would live on Miami Beach , so you can walk to the Beach , and also this will avoid a long drive into Miami . Accomodation will be expensive on the sea front, but look a few streets back .
Good Luck

Answer 3

Cutler Ridge is very nice, I'm not sure about pricing. It's a lot less like the Miami we all know. You won't even need to speak Spanish if you live there.

People in Miami are generally very nice. It's a good thing you don't drive, though, because they are maniacs on the road. There is a good public transportation system, buses, etc., down there.

Coral Gables is also really, really nice, but pricing is high there. If I were moving to Miami, Cutler Ridge is definitely the place I would look.

Not all of Miami is that negative image many like to portray- just be sure to avoid: Little Havana, Liberty City, and Hialeah.

The hurricane thing is not as bad as people who don't live here like to make you think. We get plenty of warnings, and have plenty of time to prepare or evacuate.

Answer 4

You will be one of thousands in the Miami area that doesn't speak spanish. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Miami speaks spanish. The Miami area is very expensive. The further inland you move the less you will pay for rent.

I have spent enough time in the Miami area and had no problems getting around. The metro bus and rail works well enough if you have no car. There are enough retail stores that you won't need to go far to find whatever you are shopping for.

Contact rental companies to find what fits you. Many hotels are turning condo and that will probably be your best bet, renting a condo.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Buy things are going to change for you, unless you have tons of money get used to a smaller house and yard and you may be lucky and find a neighbor or two that will say hi. Also be ready to leave your house 2-5 a year each fall because of hurricanes. But hey I not from the area so take it how you want to.

Answer 6

thank you for responding to my Q. however if like you say you guys have to move to mia. try not to for as much as you can. I just moved from near there. I used to live in fort lauderdale which is about 35 miles north of the center of miami.I am spanish speaking and i drive around. But if any given day i had to be to mia I would try my best not to. There is no safe school and no safe homes anymore(unless you're the proud owner of a lion or two, besides someone will figure out how to steal your lions LOL)

You want to at all cost steer clear from lil haiti and parts of lil havana and areas near i95 in downtown.The more west you can go the better. If still you must stay close to miami, consider moving north to fort lauderdale (The place is not excellent but it is 10 steps ahead of miami) consider areas like weston and cooper city. but if you must stay in miami. then good luck, it all sucks down there!

Answer 7

shall we see.. right it truly is a acceptance.. The Miami Geezers, or the Miami Med-Swallowers! I dunno, the only one that ain't a geezer is Wade yet he isn't sufficient to steer the group back into the playoffs at the same time as the hot threats, the Celtics,the Orlando Magic, The Chicago Bulls, even Philly is having a extra effective time without AI. The jap convention is growing to be quickly and the West extra effective pay attention interior the subsequent 5 years the East will dominate as quickly as returned like interior the solid previous days.. With Russell and chicken and MJ... howdy... according to threat I might desire to connect the warmth...

Answer 8

First, buy some luggage that the kids will fit in....
Just kidding, jeez...