The Vibe: South Beach Isn’t All There Is To Miami
If you think that
Miami is made up of Spring Breakers and Will Smith videos, you’re partly right. Thanks to the gorgeous beaches, white sands, clear water, warm weather, amazing nightlife, and an energy in the Miami air that doesn’t ever seem to settle down, Miami is a huge party-city. But that is mostly South Beach and that only makes up about 10 percent of the city.
Miami is actually much, much more, literally and figuratively. It’s a city where you will find family friendly neighborhoods like South Miami, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove, a multi-cultural community, and events and entertainment heavy in the arts like the Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami International Film Festival, the Winter Music Conference, Design Miami, Sunfest, Jazz in the Gardens, and Miami Book Fair International, to name a few.
Attire ranges from flip flops to stiletto heels, but clothes are skimpy—not just because Miami is sexy, but because it’s as hot as it is diverse. You can go topless on the beaches if you want to, but most people don’t. And even though the beaches are gorgeous, don’t assume you’ll spend most, if any, of your time there, because you probably won’t. There are, however, plenty of awesome parks, gardens, rivers, and lakes to enjoy.
Local Flavor: Miami Is Latin America In America
Calling Miami a melting pot is a vast understatement but that pot has been filled with a lot of Latin flavor. So, if you’ve ever heard Miami otherwise referred to as the Capital of Latin America, it’s not with hyperbole.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Miami’s population is overwhelming of Latin descent, with approximately 70 percent of residents identifying with the race. But, don’t assume that they’re all Cubans, either. There are many different nationalities accounted for here including Cuban, Brazilian, Mexicans, Colombians, Venezuelans, and Peruvians among more. Know the difference, because there is one. And if you don’t know, just ask.
Knowing how to speak a little Spanish won’t hurt, either. Even though it’s not mandatory by any means, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 66.75 percent of Miami residents were fluent in Spanish as of 2000.
Little Havana is the heart of Miami’s Latin cultural scene with residential homes, authentic food, quaint shops, Latin music, old men playing dominoes outside, and an energy you won’t find anywhere else this side of the border.
Cuisine: Cuban Cuisine Rules Miami
The one Latin thing that you can call strictly Cuban are those sandwiches. While the Miami foodie scene is exploding with trendy restaurants of all styles and ethnicities, the city is famous for these delicious bad boys and it’s not without reason. But just remember, there is much more to Cuban cuisine than just sandwiches.
You’ll find, hands down, the best yucca chips, empanadas, and tostones you’ve ever tried here in Miami. The Cuban coffee deserves a nod on its own, with a kick like jet fuel but that goes down, as Bruno Mars says, smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. And the Cuban bread, so flaky and sweet, will make you think those people who go carb-free are out of their ever-loving minds. Places like Versailles are wildly popular in the area, but don’t overlook the smaller, dive places or the food trucks, as that’s where you’re most likely to find the best of the best.
Nightlife: The Party Doesn’t Start Till Miami Walks In
The only thing in Miami that might be more popular than the Cuban food is the nightlife. But this isn’t a so-called “city that never sleeps” like
New York or
Las Vegas. Miami definitely does sleep. But it’s not well until the wee-hours of the morning when every last person has partied until they’ve literally dropped.
And it doesn’t have to be at one of the iconic oceanfront nightclubs, either. Downtown Miami has a kickin’ nightlife scene, too, with plenty of clubs and bars to be found. And if you like your nightlife a little more low-key, try out some of your salsa moves at one of the many venues with live Latin music or hang out with some friends at a trendy, relaxed lounge.
Living here doesn’t automatically mean that you’re into the party scene. But if you are into the party scene in a city that never stops heating up, Miami is the place to be.
Weather: The Pros And Cons To A Tropical Paradise
According to U.S. Climate Data, the average January high in Miami is 75 degrees. Just let that sink in for a minute. Most places around the country don’t average a 75 degree high until May and that’s how Miamians are ringing in the New Year.
There’s no denying that the warm weather, bright blue skies, even bluer water, and palm trees are one of the major draws to Miami. However, the summer months can get absolutely brutal, with temperatures in the 90s and a humidity factor that sometimes feels like it could suffocate you if you let it. The storms are none-too-mild, either. It’ll be perfectly sunny and gorgeous out one minute and the next a massive thunder or tropical storm comes in Miley Cyrus-style. (You know, like a wrecking ball.)
In Miami, Late Means On Time, And There Is No Such Thing As Late
Nothing runs on regular time here except for schools and work. This is a city where everything starts later in the evening and that doesn’t matter anyway because no one is on time for it. If someone invites you to a dinner party, it will probably be around 8:30 p.m. at the earliest. And if you’re there at 8:30, prepare to be sitting alone. Most people will start rolling in around 9 or 9:30 and won’t be considered late until everyone else has gone home. This phenomenon could explain all the speeding, though.
This is also the City That Sleeps In. Don’t go making plans with someone on a Saturday or Sunday morning and expect them to show. Noon is the earliest you can expect to see most of the locals out and about in Miami.
You’ll Love To Hate Miami And Hate To Love It
Miami truly is a unique city. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re living on an island, other times you’ll feel like you live in Monaco. And then there are other times when you’ll think you woke up on a different planet.
The cultural differences in Miami are vast and the rules of everything are different, from the road to bikini tops optional. You’ll love how much there is to do when you’re bored and be sick of the parties when you’re not in the mood. You’ll rave about how gorgeous the beaches are while you’re in the sand and complain nonstop about the tourists when you’re not. You’ll love that you can wear flip flops in January and spend all of July trying to get your house as cold as an
Alaska winter only to lose your mind when the electric bill rolls in.
Living in Miami is a love-hate relationship for nearly everyone. But if you’re interested in a place with a vibrant downtown next to pristine beaches with a Latin vibe and unique flavor, then you’ll love Miami more than anything else.
Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:
