4 ms·

I was born and raised in Miami and my family still lives there so I visit quite often. I moved to the Bay Area not too long ago (3 years) for work and IMO it's

I was born and raised in Miami and my family still lives there so I visit quite often. I moved to the Bay Area not too long ago (3 years) for work and IMO it's no comparison. Miami is a great place to live if your priorities are partying. There are excellent night clubs and beautiful men and women everywhere. The Bay Area holds an advantage over almost every point the OP made. Rent is ~$2k for a 2 bedroom 2 bath if you want to live in a nice area in Coral Gables that isn't full of roaches, or was built in the 1940s and has dwarf-sized rooms. Rent is about the same in the peninsula. If you want to purchase it's a whole different story however. What costs ~$1m here is ~$300k there and probably in a lot better shape. Food is a push. I must say the Bay Area probably offers a larger variety of food. Miami is mostly all Caribbean and Central/South American food which is excellent but not as varied as the Indian, Mediterranean, Afghan, Thai you see out here. The neighborhoods are even more awesome here in the Bay Area. I say this because the strangers I meet on the street are a lot nicer than the strangers in Miami. There's a unique, wonderful, and rich history to the cities and towns in the Bay Area and there are a lot of neat places to explore like the Open Space preserves out West or the forrest in Santa Cruz. The only mountains in Florida are the smelly trash ones. The Developer ecosystem pales in comparison. It's not even close and it won't be for a while. There are very little tech companies out there and no real major players. While it's very nice to see it blooming the reality is that it's still in its infancy and if you're moving out there just for the tech you're doing it wrong. The weather. It's just terrible. It's like a sauna all the time. It feels like you're breathing in liquid water sometimes and it's difficult to make it from your house to your car (which will be a scorching inferno) without sweating. The only great things Miami has that I truly miss is the water; it is beautiful and warm.

jamesaguilar 13y ago
When he said the weather is nice for the winter and also pretty OK most of the summer I just had to wonder. I mean, different strokes for different folks but man, that is a totally different yardstick than how I measure weather, and I grew up in Florida.
- auston 13y ago
  Haha it has been pretty OK lately (last 2 years). It used to be REALLY rainy during summer, but I feel like it rained 20-30 days this year!
- ceras 13y ago
  I'm another South Florida to Bay Area transplant here, and I gotta say, I hate the Bay Area's weather. The winters are cold and rainy (an awful combination), and summer evenings are way too chilly. I'd take Florida weather any day.
  - goatslacker 13y ago
    But it never rains here! Oh and we have seasons too, something I used to only see in Movies. Weather is such a subjective thing :) to each their own.
yarianluis 13y ago
I was raised in Miami and my family lives there still as well! We should meet up some time and complain about Miami together, haha. I agree with all the points you made. Miami has quite a shallow population. I've also found as time goes on that as I develop new interests, there is poor community around most of them--the little things like rock climbing or playing ping pong. It's even extremely difficult to find a coffee shop to work out of when I visit family.
- auston 13y ago
  I rock climb: http://instagram.com/p/fR12xEwWmi/ http://instagram.com/p/fR12xEwWmi/ Check out Panther Coffee in Wynwood or Miami Beach: http://www.panthercoffee.com/ http://www.panthercoffee.com/ Next time you're in Miami give me a shout: @bunsen
  - goatslacker 13y ago
    Florida has some neat places if you're into nature but that was totally flipped upside down for me when I moved here. For that extra McDonald's employee's salary I'm paying in taxes I'm getting back quality hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, road biking, surfing, and snowboarding as well as gorgeous sights of mountains, caves, waterholes, forrest, and rivers. It's a nature lover's paradise out here in California.
  - goatslacker 13y ago
    On the flip side, canoeing in a river full of gators is definitely a fun experience!
  - yarianluis 13y ago
    You know, I'll take you up on that. Is @bunsen Twitter? My family will never move--I've come to peace with that. So it'd be nice if I could at least tolerate Miami a bit better and maybe seeing it with someone from the HN community is what is required.
- goatslacker 13y ago
  Sure! Hit me up on FB http://fb.me/josh.perez http://fb.me/josh.perez or through my contact info on my profile
wpietri 13y ago
Since you're a native, maybe you can address something subtle: the extent to which the business community favors positive-sum vs zero-sum thinking, and innovation over marketing. One of the things I like about Silicon Valley is that people are generally focused on creating value rather than making money. (The difference being that I can make money in ways that transfer money from your pocket to mine, without a net increase in value.) But my impression of Florida is that there's a different orientation there. For example, South Florida is currently the identity theft capital of the US. [1] At least a few years back, a few Florida counties had more spammers than any other country. [2] It seems like the dubious business culture goes back to the scam-heavy Florida land boom in the 1920s. [3] That had an echo in Florida swampland scams in the 60s and 70s. [4] And Miami was one of the worst cities in the recent US property bubble. [5] Do you notice that difference in business orientation and business ethics? [1] http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-26/business/fl-identity-theft-20130226_1_identity-theft-metro-area-south-florida-s http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-26/business/fl-iden... [2] http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-05-08/news/0505070596_1_spammers-global-spam-e-mail http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-05-08/news/0505070596_... [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_land_boom_of_the_1920s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_land_boom_of_the_1920s [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swampland_in_Florida http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swampland_in_Florida [5] http://us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-case-shiller-fl-miami-home-price-index http://us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-case-shiller-...
- hollerith 13y ago
  I lived in South Florida for 5 years, and have lived in the Bay Area since 1986, and you have described what I consider one of the essential differences between the two places. There was an article in a local business magazine or the business section of the paper when I was living in South Florida about the new CEO of the local power company (Florida Power and Light). The new CEO was quoted as saying that one of his mantras is, "The customer has my money in his pocket; how do I get it?" which was presented as a good mantra to have; and the CEO was presented as a man to be admired. Being the (unofficial) world headquarters of a large industry that does more good than harm probably contributes greatly to making the Bay Area a good place for people like you and I to live (although it is good to remember that being the world headquarters of another such industry did not protect Detroit from becoming what I consider a very bad place to live). P.S. your history should probably mention the time in the 1970s when South Florida was the cocaine-smuggling capital of the US.
bdesimone 13y ago
I moved from San Diego to Miami two years ago. For anyone seriously thinking of coming to Miami from California, I'd like to reiterate a few points. * Miami is a great place to live if you prioritize partying. If you don't -- or are past that stage in your life -- you are going to find fewer people with things in common than in any other city I've lived. * If we are generalizing...people are ruder and quicker to screw you over if the opportunity presents itself. And before you say it, no, it's not just because it's a big city. It's different here. It's worse here. * South Florida drivers are statistically the worst in the country. Luckily I don't have to commute. * Food is a push, I agree. I really miss the Asian-fare back home. Thankfully, I've found one really awesome Thai place to keep me sane. * I don't participate in the tech market, as I work remotely for a CA based company. * The neighborhoods downtown are not awesome. I live across the street [0] from OP and would not feel comfortable walking even a block east with my wife at night. Miami has * The weather is really subjective. At first, I struggled with the humidity and heat. But now I love it. That and the water are probably the things I love most about Miami. [0] : http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdesimone/8761046729/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdesimone/8761046729/ If you have any questions... ask away.
- auston 13y ago
  Hey we should meet! There is no contact info your profile, email me: auston.bunsen at gmail
- crag 13y ago
  I like in Fort Lauderdale. Lived here since 1995, And I HATE it down here, Sure, the weather is nice (most of the time). And when the beaches aren't sinking (Miami Beach is flooding all the time now) they'll fun. But they get old fast. Miami is a party town. Period. If you're into it then you're gold. Traffic is a nightmare. It takes 90 mins to get from the center of Miami to Fort Lauderdale (about 30 miles) in the middle of the week day. The food.. Fort Lauderdale does have a bit more variety, bit it's basically Cuban, Haitian, and other Latin cuisine. Lucky for me I love it. But I tell ya,. I have yet found a decent Chinese restaurant. I have found decent Thai - and that search took me through 15 different restaurants and over a year. There is some great American cuisine here. And of course, we have every single fast-food place you know off on EVERY corner. South Florida is car culture. I mean even in Whole Foods (the closest we can get to decent food shopping) - it's all "nameste" inside but folk will cut your heart out in the parking lot. I've seen fights break out in the Whole Food parking lot. Usually between two perfectly groomed women; their babies sitting in harness hanging off their shoulders. There a HUGE amount of stress living in Florida. Between the driving, the walled up homes, beaches sinking, the right wing government not giving a shit - which reminds me - if you have kids you best plan on private school. There are REALLY good ones down here (depending on location). Add the school cost into your budget. I'd never send my kid to public school - the state has ripped public schools to shreds. Oh and one other thing - this is a Stand Your Ground State. So carry a gun. Many do. Most are concealed. Now about the tech. It's here. It's small. It really depends on which tech. Microsoft is everywhere. Easy to find Meetups and Technets. Also Ruby is well represented here with 3 groups (Boca, Broward (Lauderdale) and Miami) - I know of one small Python group that barely meets - the rest are hit and miss. Outside of medical, real estate, tourism, and banking there just isn't much else going on. Sure there are a few start-ups. And people are trying. But they are few and far between. And I'm in Telcom (by the way). Now all this sour news there are some pluses - the Arts. The formal arts (Opera, Theater, Symphonies - are small. But they are jugging along). But We do have a thriving arts festival (Art Basel - https://www.artbasel.com/ https://www.artbasel.com/) which has really transformed the arts scene in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Palm Beaches. Also Orchids - West Beach is one of the centers for orchid trade in the world (bet you didn't know that). Orchid people are CRAYZ. I love them myself - cause they bring a much need "oddness" to South Florida.

jamesaguilar 13y ago

When he said the weather is nice for the winter and also pretty OK most of the summer I just had to wonder. I mean, different strokes for different folks but man, that is a totally different yardstick than how I measure weather, and I grew up in Florida.

auston 13y ago
Haha it has been pretty OK lately (last 2 years). It used to be REALLY rainy during summer, but I feel like it rained 20-30 days this year!
ceras 13y ago
I'm another South Florida to Bay Area transplant here, and I gotta say, I hate the Bay Area's weather. The winters are cold and rainy (an awful combination), and summer evenings are way too chilly. I'd take Florida weather any day.
- goatslacker 13y ago
  But it never rains here! Oh and we have seasons too, something I used to only see in Movies. Weather is such a subjective thing :) to each their own.

yarianluis 13y ago

I was raised in Miami and my family lives there still as well! We should meet up some time and complain about Miami together, haha. I agree with all the points you made. Miami has quite a shallow population. I've also found as time goes on that as I develop new interests, there is poor community around most of them--the little things like rock climbing or playing ping pong. It's even extremely difficult to find a coffee shop to work out of when I visit family.

auston 13y ago
I rock climb: http://instagram.com/p/fR12xEwWmi/ http://instagram.com/p/fR12xEwWmi/ Check out Panther Coffee in Wynwood or Miami Beach: http://www.panthercoffee.com/ http://www.panthercoffee.com/ Next time you're in Miami give me a shout: @bunsen
- goatslacker 13y ago
  Florida has some neat places if you're into nature but that was totally flipped upside down for me when I moved here. For that extra McDonald's employee's salary I'm paying in taxes I'm getting back quality hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, road biking, surfing, and snowboarding as well as gorgeous sights of mountains, caves, waterholes, forrest, and rivers. It's a nature lover's paradise out here in California.
- goatslacker 13y ago
  On the flip side, canoeing in a river full of gators is definitely a fun experience!
- yarianluis 13y ago
  You know, I'll take you up on that. Is @bunsen Twitter? My family will never move--I've come to peace with that. So it'd be nice if I could at least tolerate Miami a bit better and maybe seeing it with someone from the HN community is what is required.
goatslacker 13y ago
Sure! Hit me up on FB http://fb.me/josh.perez http://fb.me/josh.perez or through my contact info on my profile

wpietri 13y ago

Since you're a native, maybe you can address something subtle: the extent to which the business community favors positive-sum vs zero-sum thinking, and innovation over marketing. One of the things I like about Silicon Valley is that people are generally focused on creating value rather than making money. (The difference being that I can make money in ways that transfer money from your pocket to mine, without a net increase in value.) But my impression of Florida is that there's a different orientation there. For example, South Florida is currently the identity theft capital of the US. [1] At least a few years back, a few Florida counties had more spammers than any other country. [2] It seems like the dubious business culture goes back to the scam-heavy Florida land boom in the 1920s. [3] That had an echo in Florida swampland scams in the 60s and 70s. [4] And Miami was one of the worst cities in the recent US property bubble. [5] Do you notice that difference in business orientation and business ethics? [1] http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-26/business/fl-identity-theft-20130226_1_identity-theft-metro-area-south-florida-s http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-26/business/fl-iden... [2] http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-05-08/news/0505070596_1_spammers-global-spam-e-mail http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-05-08/news/0505070596_... [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_land_boom_of_the_1920s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_land_boom_of_the_1920s [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swampland_in_Florida http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swampland_in_Florida [5] http://us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-case-shiller-fl-miami-home-price-index http://us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-case-shiller-...

hollerith 13y ago
I lived in South Florida for 5 years, and have lived in the Bay Area since 1986, and you have described what I consider one of the essential differences between the two places. There was an article in a local business magazine or the business section of the paper when I was living in South Florida about the new CEO of the local power company (Florida Power and Light). The new CEO was quoted as saying that one of his mantras is, "The customer has my money in his pocket; how do I get it?" which was presented as a good mantra to have; and the CEO was presented as a man to be admired. Being the (unofficial) world headquarters of a large industry that does more good than harm probably contributes greatly to making the Bay Area a good place for people like you and I to live (although it is good to remember that being the world headquarters of another such industry did not protect Detroit from becoming what I consider a very bad place to live). P.S. your history should probably mention the time in the 1970s when South Florida was the cocaine-smuggling capital of the US.

bdesimone 13y ago

I moved from San Diego to Miami two years ago. For anyone seriously thinking of coming to Miami from California, I'd like to reiterate a few points. * Miami is a great place to live if you prioritize partying. If you don't -- or are past that stage in your life -- you are going to find fewer people with things in common than in any other city I've lived. * If we are generalizing...people are ruder and quicker to screw you over if the opportunity presents itself. And before you say it, no, it's not just because it's a big city. It's different here. It's worse here. * South Florida drivers are statistically the worst in the country. Luckily I don't have to commute. * Food is a push, I agree. I really miss the Asian-fare back home. Thankfully, I've found one really awesome Thai place to keep me sane. * I don't participate in the tech market, as I work remotely for a CA based company. * The neighborhoods downtown are not awesome. I live across the street [0] from OP and would not feel comfortable walking even a block east with my wife at night. Miami has * The weather is really subjective. At first, I struggled with the humidity and heat. But now I love it. That and the water are probably the things I love most about Miami. [0] : http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdesimone/8761046729/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdesimone/8761046729/ If you have any questions... ask away.

auston 13y ago
Hey we should meet! There is no contact info your profile, email me: auston.bunsen at gmail
crag 13y ago
I like in Fort Lauderdale. Lived here since 1995, And I HATE it down here, Sure, the weather is nice (most of the time). And when the beaches aren't sinking (Miami Beach is flooding all the time now) they'll fun. But they get old fast. Miami is a party town. Period. If you're into it then you're gold. Traffic is a nightmare. It takes 90 mins to get from the center of Miami to Fort Lauderdale (about 30 miles) in the middle of the week day. The food.. Fort Lauderdale does have a bit more variety, bit it's basically Cuban, Haitian, and other Latin cuisine. Lucky for me I love it. But I tell ya,. I have yet found a decent Chinese restaurant. I have found decent Thai - and that search took me through 15 different restaurants and over a year. There is some great American cuisine here. And of course, we have every single fast-food place you know off on EVERY corner. South Florida is car culture. I mean even in Whole Foods (the closest we can get to decent food shopping) - it's all "nameste" inside but folk will cut your heart out in the parking lot. I've seen fights break out in the Whole Food parking lot. Usually between two perfectly groomed women; their babies sitting in harness hanging off their shoulders. There a HUGE amount of stress living in Florida. Between the driving, the walled up homes, beaches sinking, the right wing government not giving a shit - which reminds me - if you have kids you best plan on private school. There are REALLY good ones down here (depending on location). Add the school cost into your budget. I'd never send my kid to public school - the state has ripped public schools to shreds. Oh and one other thing - this is a Stand Your Ground State. So carry a gun. Many do. Most are concealed. Now about the tech. It's here. It's small. It really depends on which tech. Microsoft is everywhere. Easy to find Meetups and Technets. Also Ruby is well represented here with 3 groups (Boca, Broward (Lauderdale) and Miami) - I know of one small Python group that barely meets - the rest are hit and miss. Outside of medical, real estate, tourism, and banking there just isn't much else going on. Sure there are a few start-ups. And people are trying. But they are few and far between. And I'm in Telcom (by the way). Now all this sour news there are some pluses - the Arts. The formal arts (Opera, Theater, Symphonies - are small. But they are jugging along). But We do have a thriving arts festival (Art Basel - https://www.artbasel.com/ https://www.artbasel.com/) which has really transformed the arts scene in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Palm Beaches. Also Orchids - West Beach is one of the centers for orchid trade in the world (bet you didn't know that). Orchid people are CRAYZ. I love them myself - cause they bring a much need "oddness" to South Florida.