Tired of the New York snow already? Moving from New York to Miami is becoming more and more popular -- Miami weather is superb, Florida has great tax benefits, and South Florida’s financial and tech industries are booming. Plus Miamians adore New York! We love visiting, we love the people, we love the fast-paced, dynamic vibe of the Big Apple, as well as its bevy of arts and culture. Fortunately, you’ll feel right at home in Miami because you’ll get to rub shoulders with plenty of transplanted New Yorkers. Many transplanted New Yorkers still keep a pied de terre in NYC when moving to Miami to enjoy the best of both worlds. So as you make your move from NYC to Miami, we’ve put together our top tips that locals consider essential in order to help you adapt.

1. It’s Called the Sunshine State for a Reason
   

   Sunshine in Miami is no joke. In fact, you can expect as many as 300 days a year of sunshine, with average yearly temps ranging around 78° F (26° C). This means you’ll get way more sun in Miami than NYC, and you can forget about shoveling snow. Ditto for that down puffer. Just be sure that you protect yourself from those sunbeams by investing in a good pair of sunglasses and using sunblock daily.
   
   

2. Miami’s Cost of Living is Cheaper than NYC
   

   Miami real estate is far less expensive than New York City and you get more square footage for your money as well, whether renting or buying. In fact, for the price of a one-room studio in Manhattan, you can enjoy a spacious apartment with actual bedrooms and a balcony with a breathtaking ocean view. Newer Miami condos also come with pools, gyms, and spas on the premises and the added bonus of guaranteed parking that is included.
   
   
   
   
   

3. Winter in Miami Feels Like Spring in NYC 
   

   The months between October and April in Miami are pure bliss, and is the reason many northerners or “snowbirds” come to spend their winters here. Be prepared to go for a refreshing ocean swim on New Year’s Day or enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner al fresco in the moonlight. Daytime temps typically range between 65° - 75° F (18° - 24°C) with evenings cooling down to the low 60s or high 50s on occasion. Your favorite leather jacket may get a bit of use, but your bulky winter coat will probably stay packed away all year. You can leave your gloves, hats and mittens in New York as well. We promise you won’t ever miss them.
   
   

4. Summer in Miami is Actually Cooler than in NY
   

   While it may sound contrary to what you’ve been told, Miami’s lighthearted subtropical architecture keeps the city much cooler than baking in the brick oven that’s NYC in summer. If our fresh ocean breezes aren’t enough to cool you down, you can always jump into the ocean or the pool at your condo building. Even if you’re one of the few who don’t have a pool in your building, everybody else does. And the beach is never very far. Not to mention the A/C is cool… really cool. Even during our blissfully mild winters, you may find yourself needing to carry a light sweater with you at all times  - not for when you go out, but rather for when you come in.
   
   
   
   
   

5. Miami Architecture is Legit
   

   If you love Art Deco architecture, you’ll be thrilled to see it all over the city, alongside the breezy subtropical MiMo aesthetic. Many newer buildings that have recently sprung up are architectural masterpieces designed by some of the world’s most acclaimed starchitects and designers such as Zaha Hadid’s One Thousand Museum Condo in Downtown Miami, OMA/Rem Koolhaas’s Park Grove condo towers in Coconut Grove, North Miami Beach’s Eighty Seven Park by Renzo Piano, and projects by Bjarke Ingels, Herzog and DeMeuron, Frank Ghery and many others.
   
   

6. Staying Fit is Part of the Local Culture
   

   With all of Miami’s sunshine, beautiful water and good vibes, it’s only natural everyone here wants to look and feel good. Everybody works out regularly, and eventually you, too, will find your favorite way to stay fit, because beach-body, feel-good culture is seriously contagious. You’ll have more opportunities to than you could ever dream of in NYC to show off how less is definitely more in Miami, and you’ll soon find plenty of incentives to get moving!
   
   
   
   Working out on the beach. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Road Mall
   

7. Miami Air Quality is Fresh
   

   Miami has superior air quality in comparison to the air quality in NY, due to those fresh ocean breezes, as well as tropical storms that sweep away all debris and pollution. In fact, Miami has some of the cleanest air you’ll find in any large metropolitan city in the entire U.S. And our streets smell good, too.
   
   

8. The Beach is Only the Beginning
   

   Our beautiful coastline has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the continental U.S., including the sandy beaches at South Pointe, North Shore Park, Sunny Isles, and Key Biscayne. Want to avoid tan lines? Find your sweet spot at the clothing-optional Haulover Beach. And you can swim in the ocean year round, with average ocean temps ranging from 78-82°F (26-28°C). If you’re ready to get in over your head, pack some snorkeling gear or sign up for scuba lessons. Are you a daredevil type? Try parasailing or hang-gliding. Kiteboarding is also wildly popular, particularly in Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park. Those with less adventurous leanings can enjoy kayaking in the mangroves. And of course, the fishing and yachting scenes are unbeatable.
   
   
   
   

9. Winter Sports Take Place Indoors
   

   Did you know that you can actually go skiing and ice skating in Miami? Never forget this is the Magic City! We can make it snow even on the sunniest beach days. Miami now has indoor ski slopes, where you can enjoy nearly-natural snow, as well as cool indoor ice rinks. In fact, there are lots of fun things to do indoors if you need a break from our naturally sunny - or rainy - weather.
   
   

10. There’s Way Less Pressure to Succeed
    

    Life in Miami is less intense than living in NY. The pressure to succeed is lower here as many here have already found success and are creating new opportunities. This means you’ll find a lot of like-minded business buds but without that competitive edge of NYC. There are also lots more smiles here and people are generally friendlier and more relaxed. While you can still live a fast-paced life in Miami, it’s a choice and not an obligation.
    
    
    
    WeWork co-working space in Brickell. Photo courtesy of WeWork
    
    

11. People Come Here to Reinvent Themselves
    

    Miami has always attracted freethinkers and independent spirits who want to reinvent themselves and chase their dreams, from all over the world. You’ll find a fertile ground for startups here, as well as a budding tech scene, and plenty of opportunities to break into international markets, creative industries or start your life over as a wellness coach or yogi.
    
    

12. “Miami Time” is a Thing
    

    Timeliness is not a priority in Miami. Arriving at the office a few minutes late is standard practice here and nobody usually minds, especially if you show up with a colada or some pastelitos to share. If it’s a party or social event, it’s fashionable to be more than a few minutes late. In fact, if you show up on time, you might catch the host still in the shower.
    
    
    
    Blue Ribbon Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Blue Ribbon Restaurant
    
    

13. Many of your Favorite NYC Restaurants are Here
    

    So many of New York’s most popular restaurants have opened here in Miami that you can still enjoy many of your favorite menu items. Such standards as China Grill, Nobu and Sushi Samba in Miami Beach have now been joined by the newer Blue Ribbon, Lure Fishbar, pizza joint Lucali, Root and Bone, Talde, Scarpetta and more. And lately, Miami’s restaurant scene has gotten so sophisticated and dynamic that some restaurants are opening here first and then expanding to NYC!
    
    

14. Owning a Car is Not a Hassle 
    

    Miami is a car (and bike) culture city par excellence, and if you love your car, you’ll be very happy here. Honestly, good luck driving your Ferrari down a typical NYC street, and when you’re done driving, where are you going to park it? Miami has ample parking, including several unique, artsy parking garages, and even some robotic parking lots, as well as plentiful valet parking options. While public transportation here is still improving, we love our Ubers, bikes and electric scooters when we’re ready to take a break from driving.
    
    

15. You’ll Instantly Have More Friends Who Want to Visit
    

    This is a no-brainer. After all, who wouldn’t want a place to crash with tropical beach access and sublime, balmy weather?  Particularly during the winter months, expect long lost friends to turn up unexpectedly and distant cousins to suddenly decide to reconnect. Seriously #Ilivewhereyouvacation is a Miami reality that will instantly make you more popular than you’ve ever been!
    
    

16. South American/Caribbean Food and Culture Abound
    

    Yes, NYC has it all, but tropical culture is alive and kicking in Miami, and so are some of the delicious foods that come with it! South American arepas, the Cuban sandwich, jerk chicken, all varieties of empanadas, and ceviche are all standard local fare. After your first few months here, you may even notice that your Spanish has improved considerably.
    
    
    
    Seated Ballerina at the Oceana condo
    
    

17. The Arts are Thriving
    

    The art scene in Miami has blown up over the past 20 years, with many of the world’s top art collectors living here. Art museums and galleries abound, and there are many unique theater and dance companies, as well as venues to catch concerts of every variety.  In Wynwood, the streets are covered with art, and many artists move here for the city’s amazing light and its many alternative art spaces, such as the Bakehouse Art Complex, Fountainhead Residency, Laundromat Art Space, and the newly rebranded Oolite in Miami Beach.
    
    

18. You Will See Wildlife
    

    While New Yorkers are not used to seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, in Miami you can expect regular encounters with the local wildlife - and yes, we’re talking right in the middle of the city! From the variety of anole lizards that populate most outdoor spaces to four-foot iguanas lazily sunbathing in parking lots, you will eventually run into our population of reptiles, though snakes are not a common sight in urban areas. South Florida also attracts hundreds of bird species that migrate here in the winter. You may spot cranes, egrets, herons, pelicans, and other feathered creatures, including flocks of wild peacocks and macaws that inhabit the woodsy areas around Coconut Grove. And it’s pure magic when you see dolphins frolicking in the bay or manatees moseying by from the balcony of your apartment!
    
    
    
    555 River House
    

19. No More NYC Taxes Means More Luxury
    

    Florida has no income tax. Which means Miami also has no income tax, unlike New York City, which has state and city taxes. This alone is an incentive, but recent Federal real estate tax laws have make South Florida an even greater investment. According to a recent study by Crain’s New York, under the new law, a New Yorker who makes $10 million a year and owns a $10 million home would save almost $1.2 million in taxes by relocating to Florida. That means a lot more luxury, square footage, amenities, and toys to enjoy in the sun. 
    
    

20. You Can See the Sky
    

    Catching a beautiful sunset outdoors during happy hour is a regular event in Miami, even in the dead of winter.  At night, you can see the stars twinkling over the sea. And if you’re an early riser, watching the sun rise over the Atlantic is a breathtaking way to start your day. Seriously, when was the last time you stargazed in New York City?
    
    

While you may initially miss the hectic pace of NYC as you adjust to Miami’s laid-back “too hot to rush” lifestyle, you’ll still find plenty of what makes a big city exciting. Miami is sure to seduce you with its colorful neighborhoods, ethnic diversity, exquisite restaurants, fabulous shopping opportunities, gorgeous parks, and sophisticated arts and culture offerings. Before long, you’ll be glad you made the move, and we’re certain you’ll feel right at home in the Magic City! Take a look at the latest Miami condo offerings here and let us know how we can help.