Miami, FL, United States of America Report of what it's like to live there - 06/10/26
Personal Experiences from Miami, FL, United States of America
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I have lived throughout the US.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Omaha, Nebraska. It is about a 4-10 hour flight depending on connections. Surprisingly difficult to find affordable and direct flights. Consistently over $500 to most places in the middle the western US from Miami.
3. What years did you live here?
2024-2026.
4. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
State Department.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Live in an apartment in Sweetwater. You can find any size of houses, but the prices are absurdly inflated for absolutely low quality homes. Despite being 12 miles from the office, my commute to work is anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on the time of year. It is most notably different when schools are out. Many people live in different towns and counties and experience worse commutes along I-95.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries stores everywhere. Publix is entirely too expensive. Trader Joe's and Aldi maintain their fair cost from Omaha to Miami.
3. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Restaurants abound. Great, expensive food, is everywhere.
4. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We've gotten ants before, but I believe all the lizards really keep down the bugs.
Daily Life:
1. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Miami is a pretty safe city. You do have to worry about the drivers who ""learned"" to drive in the third world or NYC, and do not care whether you are crossing a cross-walk. There's plenty of places to run and bike. Though it will most likely be in a curated park or city block.
2. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of overcrowded gyms by the worst gymgoers you will ever meet.
3. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Not surprisingly, the local population of Miami will expect you to speak Spanish regardless of your skin color. I have noticed some people get attitudes when you aren't able to speak Spanish, particularly the Venezuelan population in Doral. I have found that opening conversations by saying hello or good morning in English in response to their Spanish greetings will work in leading the conversation to English for the bilingual folks.
4. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Moreso than any other American city I have been to.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, they are just woefully inadequate for one of the largest cities in the US. It's pathetic.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Sometimes there is quite a bit of flooding, so maybe something with a little lift to get you through the rainy seasons. There are tons of electric vehicles here too.
Phone & Internet:
1. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
T-Mobile has consistently been the best service in South Florida that I have noticed.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Great place for pets. The morality of the veterinarians though, that's a good question.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
My wife was unable to find a local job after a year of searching. We believe the lack of Spanish hindered her ability to get a job. So, she stayed remote working. Salaries are very insufficient to be able to live in Miami. I expect this is because the median household income is skewed by large multigenerational families living in a single home and single-family homes being divided into two to three illegal sublets.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Lots of people like to dress up to go out to dinner here.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
For the most part, traffic accidents are the most worrisome part of living here. Moreso than any other place I have lived in the US, I think drivers here are atrocious. I believe this is mostly due to them coming from Latin America or the Caribbean where you don't have to follow regulations, so they come to the US and apply that same mindset to traffic systems that they refuse to learn.
It can be chaotic, and I feel like these drivers don't even care about their own lives when they get into a car. I have seen several traffic fatalities on the side of the road. The sanctity of life disappears when Miamians get into their cars. Otherwise, feel safer in Miami than other places. This is the fraud and scam capital of the US, but less so petty crimes of opportunities.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The biggest concern I have is the lack of morality of medical professionals. They give terrible care and then are try to sell you products and plastic surgery when you go in for a dental cleaning. I have decided to only get medical care back in Omaha and to stop being scammed by Miami healthcare grifters.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is great.
4. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Depression from the prospect of having to live and drive with the worst, most amoral human beings in the US.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The four-five months from late December to April the weather is near perfect. Then the weather becomes unbearably hot and rainy.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Lots of people love Miami for some reason.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Plenty of very expensive night life and spring break lasts for the entire month of March. If you enjoy this, then Miami is perfect for you.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Great for single people. Cannot recommend it less for families. This has to be the worst culture to expose your children to. In my opinion, liars, cheaters, scammers, and a complete disregard for education.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
There are lots of different ethnic enclaves in South Florida, and I can imagine first generation immigrants of various backgrounds could feel prejudices, but nothing that I have seen.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
This city is almost entirely made of ethnic minorities, but there are some inter-ethnic prejudices brought from their respective home countries I'm sure. Not being Hispanic or Caribbean, I lack the critical eye to perceive these things.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Vizcaya Gardens has been the most significant highlight for me; it's truly amazing. Driving down Collins Blvd in Miami Beach on Christmas Eve to see the lights with my wife is also up there. Lunchroom sandwiches in Oakland Park is the best sandwich shop I've ever been to. Arbiters hot dogs is a must as well.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are plenty of things to do. The Opa Locka city hall was built to resemble a palace from the 1001 Nights. The Japanese Gardens near Boca, the Renaissance Festival, how close you are to the Keys, etc. Plenty of cultural enrichment to experience that can make up for the horrible people and driving.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Shopping insofar as it is just another trendy city in the US.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The proximity to the Keys and cruise ports. Learning Spanish to communicate and read city signage effectively.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How much the low quality of human beings in a place could negatively affect my morale. Also, getting a place close to the office, regardless of how much more expensive it is than the outskirts, because the commute can really ruin your life.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No. I will never come back to Miami, let alone Florida, if I ever have a choice in the matter.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
your sense of justice and reason.
4. But don't forget your:
incredibly expensive full coverage auto insurance.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Dexter.
6. Do you have any other comments?
I regret bidding here every day. There are a mountain of negatives that continuously pile onto my shoulders that make me hate this place and the people that live here. It is one thing to be hit by an enormous cultural difference than your own in a different country, but in a different city in your own country it makes everything worse.
This is still the US, but there is a very tangible cultural normalization of cheating, fraud, dishonesty, and disrespect for everyone but your own family. You can see children being raised with this cultural norm and it becomes apparent how this self-perpetuating cycle reinforces itself. There is a lack of quality in roads, infrastructure, and normal things you take for granted anywhere else in the country. Highway signs are wrong showing exit lanes that aren't exit lanes, every intersection has vehicles that block it making traffic inordinately worse, and the city leaders are so obviously corrupt.
They spend billions on the downtown bridge project while a train system that services ALL of Miami Dade would be infinitely more beneficial. In my opinion, this place is rotten to the core, and whenever a colleague speaks positively about it I immediately get suspicious of their integrity.
