Best known for gorgeous white-sand beaches, crystal blue seas, amazing weather and strong Latin American influences, Miami is one of Florida’s most iconic coastal metropolises. Boasting the third-largest skyline in the country, the city is also a major center of finance, trade and culture. An attractive tourist destination, Miami is a popular spot for everyone from retirees to college students. Let’s explore what living in Miami is like:
1. How big is Miami, FL?
Miami covers a total area of around 56 square miles, and it ranks as America’s 44th-largest city. The city is located in Miami-Dade County, though the Miami Metropolitan Area, the largest in Florida, stretches into Broward and Palm Beach Counties and covers an area of about 1,280 square miles. It’s among the most populous urban areas in the world.
The city of Miami is generally divided geographically, with four main areas: downtown, north, west and south. Each area is further divided into several neighborhoods, both historic and modern, all offering a unique character. The heart of Miami is the downtown area, located on the eastern side of the city along the Gold Coast.
2. What is the weather like in Miami, FL?
With a tropical climate, Miami’s weather is characterized by warm winters and hot, rainy summers. Summer brings the wet season, with some months seeing more than 10 inches of rain on average. Winters are much drier, though, and throughout the year, the city sees an average of 67 inches of rain in total. Proximity to the Gulf Stream ensures Miami’s climate remains mild and warm throughout much of the year.
Given the hot and humid climate most of the year, keeping seasonal items and other household belongings that don’t see everyday use in a garage or another non-climate-controlled area of the home is not recommended as they can get can damaged. Putting decorations, clothing, furniture, appliances and other items that are susceptible to heat- and humidity-related damage in a climate-controlled unit in Miami is the more sensible choice.
Downtown Miami, FL, along Biscayne Bay with Brickell Key in the background
3. Miami’s economy — powered by finance and tourism
While Miami is behind only New York City in terms of the number of visitors per year, there’s much more to its economy than tourism. Downtown Miami is home to a large concentration of international banks, making finance one of the biggest industries in the city. Health care is another major sector, and the Health District contains a huge array of medical facilities. The Port of Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world, while the television and music industries also play a large role in driving the city’s economy.
A huge array of businesses can benefit from renting self storage in Miami. A storage unit can be ideal for everything from rental bikes for tour companies, to props and costumes for the TV and music industries. Brick-and-mortar businesses can also thrive when using self storage. Excess stock can sit in a storage unit until it’s ready to hit the shelves, without cluttering the floor space of the business. E-commerce businesses can equally benefit from the service. They can use a storage unit as a temporary storage area for merchandise that’s about to be shipped. They can even arrange for it to be picked up for delivery at the storage unit.
4. Universities and college life in Miami, FL
Miami is home to more than 200,000 students attending almost 20 colleges and universities, both private and public. Miami-Dade College is by far the largest in the city, and with around 100,000 students, it’s the second largest in the country.
Since student accommodations aren’t always the most spacious, students looking for a little extra room can consider renting a storage unit in Miami. Ideal for everything from sports equipment to vehicles, it’s a great way to keep small dorms and apartments clutter-free. Moreover, students can also turn to self storage to hold all their belongings over summer break. It’s a more economical solution than moving everything back home. When they return in the fall, they can easily retrieve their belongings.
5. Outdoor recreation in Miami, FL — fun in the sun and sea
Located on the gorgeous Gold Coast and enjoying tropical weather year-round, Miami offers a huge array of outdoor pursuits. Within the city, there are plenty of rivers, bays, marinas, canals and of course, the Atlantic Ocean, from which to enjoy countless water sports and activities. Some of the most popular pastimes include sailing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
If you’re looking for a safe place to store your boat, fishing gear, surfboard or diving equipment, it’s worth considering self storage in Miami. A storage unit is ideal for keeping bulky sports equipment out of the home, ready for you to pick up whenever you need it.
Crandon Park Beach located in Key Biscayne in Miami, FL
6. Moving to Miami, FL — how can self storage help?
More people choose to relocate to Florida from New York compared to any other U.S. state. On average, you can expect to pay a professional moving company between $3,900 and $4,300 to assist with this move. Doing it yourself can certainly cut the cost, but it can be a stressful and time-consuming task.
Renting a storage unit in Miami can make your moving process much smoother. Rather than moving your belongings to your new home directly, you can send them into storage, allowing you to move in when it suits you, at a more relaxed pace.
7. Is Miami, FL, a good place to live?
Known for its warm weather, amazing beaches and plenty of entertainment options, Miami is one of the most popular cities in the U.S. That’s why it’s a destination hot spot, attracting new residents every year, in addition to the traditional snowbirds.
Moving to Miami, FL, from NYC
When you swap New York City for Miami, you get to enjoy the perks of a friendlier housing market and a lower cost of living. Also, you get all the perks of a big city without the cold weather that you typically get in New York. The beautiful beaches and the vibrant restaurant scene also qualify as perks of living in the Floridian city.
Moving to Miami, FL, from Los Angeles
Leaving Los Angeles for Miami includes serious perks when it comes to the cost of living as the latter is more affordable. Also, if you’re used to the beautiful weather and opportunities for outdoor activities, Miami delivers in this sense, with its downtown Bayfront Park, which hosts the Ultra Music Festival.
8. What are the housing options in Miami, FL, and how can self storage help?
With the third-largest skyline in the U.S., Miami boasts numerous high-rise buildings, many of which are residential. As such, you can get your pick of housing options in Miami, including apartments, townhouses and condos. Downtown neighborhoods such as Brickell contain the majority of the high-rise apartment blocks, due to revitalization efforts in the 1990s.
As for single-family homes, they’re more common in north, south and west Miami, with a variety of styles on the market, including the iconic conch houses that ooze a Bahamian influence, as well as mission-style homes and bungalows. Once you’ve found your ideal single-family home, you might discover that self storage can continue to help you once you’re settled down. If a storage unit is ideal for keeping seasonal clothes, sports gear and other bulky items, it’s also a great way to keep clutter away from your new home. Moreover, if you’re taking on a home remodeling project, you can put household items from the area under construction in storage until the project is complete. If you’re working from home and need to set up your home office, you can also use the service. You can put the displaced things from the area that has become your home office in a storage unit until you can use them again.
Contemporary new houses in a residential area in Miami, FL
9. What are your self storage options in Miami, FL?
With the self storage market in Miami, FL, tallying over 8M square feet of self storage space, there are plenty of options to choose from. Make sure to search for a facility within your neighborhood to make it convenient to access when you need it.
With the choice of storage facility out of the way, considering which unit size you’re going to need is next. If you’re storing clothing and small outdoor gear, a 5’x5’ unit will do. For larger items, consider upgrading to a 5’x10’ unit. A 10’x10’ unit is ideal for keeping larger pieces of furniture and appliances. When moving, a 10’x15’ unit is sufficient to fit the belongings from a one-bedroom apartment. As for larger homes, you’re going to need a 10’x20’ or a 10’x30’ unit to put items from a three- or, respectively, four-bedroom single-family home. Also, a 10’x20’ unit is ideal to store a standard car, whereas a 10’x30’ unit can be a good fit for boat storage.
To find Miami self storage listings, you can browse the StorageCafe portal.
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