Random thought, I've been here for 18 years and Poverty rate is 10.3%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. With a population of 111K, Miami Gardens is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $60,979 in Miami Gardens. Homes are going for about $337,200 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited nightlife
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
- Boring for young people
Thanks in advance! The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
33 upvotes
17 Replies
Nova Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 48, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
Ethan Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Jonathan Diaz
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Carson Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Naomi O.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Ellie Evans
Moved here from Dallas about 13 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Nathan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
26 upvotes
Levi Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Riley Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Sadie Collins
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Brooklyn Sanders
Saving this thread
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Collins
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Leo Watson
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
12 upvotes
Benjamin
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Alexander Bailey
underrated comment
5 upvotes
gabriel_life
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
