Miami FL Moving Companies

Miami, Florida

If you’re moving to Miami, a whole new culture is about be a part of your life. The city is known as the “Gateway to Latin America,” because its location in southern Florida has attracted a wide variety of immigrants who have been relocating to Miami from Latin America and the Caribbean for many years. Most notably, the new residents have included a large settlement of refugees from Cuba.

In fact, Miami has such a diverse population that language coaches say that it has its own accent: many locals speak English with Spanish cadences, even if they aren’t Hispanic. But the diverse and vibrant culture isn’t the only reason why people are relocating to Miami. The lush tropical climate and thriving economy are also keeping the Miami moving companies busy.

Economy:
As one of the southernmost cities in the mainland United States, Miami is an important trade center. The Port of Miami contributes over $8 billion per year to the local economy. The seaport is complemented by the Miami International Airport, which is the top United States airport for international freight, and which also ranks third in the U.S. for international passengers.

The ports are important for another reason as well: they help tourists connect to the many cruise ships that leave from the Port of Miami for Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami’s ties to Latin America have also helped it to become a thriving center for finance. Banks based in Brazil, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, Spain, Venezuela and Japan all have branches in Miami.

The local economy also offers a pleasant surprise if you are moving to Miami from another large city. Although the area’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, it is lower than the cost of living in comparable urban areas such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles or Washington, DC.

History:
Miami is one of the newest large cities in America. Although the first inhabitants of the area arrived more than 10,000 years ago, Miami (or “Miyami,” as it was originally known) was sparsely populated during most of Florida’s history. It wasn’t until 1891 that widow Julia Tuttle bought 640 acres of land in Miami and founded the new city. Soon many wealthy and influential families were moving cross-country to live in Miami, including the Brickells, the Fishers, the Merricks and the Flaglers.

The Flaglers were to become an especially important part of Florida, because Henry Flagler was a railroad tycoon. Julia Tuttle persuaded him to run a railroad line to Miami, and the first train arrived in 1896. This was all that Miami needed to become a bustling hub of trade and cultural activity.

Tourism:
The most important attraction in Miami is its miles of sandy white beaches. There’s a beach for everyone, from Bal Harbor Beach with its miles of quiet jogging paths, to Crandon Park Beach with its family-friend facilities (including a carousel), to the Hobie Windsurfing Beach, to the Miami Beach Boardwalk with its shopping centers and lifeguards.
Of course, Miami has more to offer than just beaches. Greater Miami’s Art Deco Historic District has more than 800 building dating as far back as the 1920s. Another important attraction is Miami’s Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the New World Symphony, the Miami City Ballet and Florida’s Grand Opera. But Miami is not all symphonies and ballets; sports enthusiasts can enjoy rooting for any of Miami’s four professional sports teams.

Colleges/Universities:

• Miami-Dade College
• Florida International University
• Barry University
• University of Miami

Interesting Facts:

• The lack of local snowfall has not stopped the Miami Ski Club from becoming one of the largest snow ski clubs in the United States.
• Important movies filmed in Miami have included “The Bird Cage,” “Goldfinger,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “Scarface.” The most popular TV show filmed in Miami was (you guessed it) “Miami Vice.”
• The greater Miami area is broken up into 35 different municipalities, including the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach.