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Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Old Oct 3rd 2012, 11:46 pm
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Default Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Im English but have been living in Sydney for 10 years - planning to move to Miami early next year with Husband and 2 boys for a couple of years for my husband job ( the boys are 5 and 2)
Any Brits or Aussies out there? desperate for some advice on areas to live and a good elementary school etc. Am here at the moment having a look around, doesnt seem to be much of an ex-pat community here....??!!!!!
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Old Oct 4th 2012, 12:40 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

There's a few, you could probably find a few if you searched, especially for some info on the area.

Though for specifics, probably worth looking at city-data.com and goodschools.org

Big question generally is what visa are you getting, or is one of you already a US citizen?

Either way, don't know how Oz immigration works with regards to keeping residency, but probably worth getting your Oz citizenship first before leaving if you're eligible.

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Old Oct 4th 2012, 3:22 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Hi Bob

Husbands employers would handle the visa situation - and we became citizens here a few years ago!
It would be for a maximum of three years - think the choices are either New york or Miami - looks like Miami would be best financially and geographically ( lower tax rate etc) and weather similar to Sydney, but it does seem pretty unsafe and a bit crazy?! ( think id be on my own with the kids quite alot so would need to feel comfortable)
Think finding some people who've been in the same situation would help clarify things! ArRGGH!!
thanks!
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Old Oct 4th 2012, 3:34 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Hi

First thing to look into is the type of visa you'll be getting. This can affect things like your ability to take a job, when the job would actually start, and the potential for getting sponsorship to stay even longer (which, while it might not be on the radar now, might be something you'd like to have as an option). You might want to query the company as to what type (H-1, L, etc).

There is another messageboard that deals with relocation issues and while it's predominantly Americans you'll get some great advice on the neighborhoods to consider and those to avoid. They'll give you some "on the ground" views about things to consider (like commuting times and schools).

http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami/
http://www.city-data.com/forum/florida/

We have a WIKI that will help answer some basic questions like schools and health insurance (a very important point in the negotiations process).

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Educat...s_in_school%3F

Beware of simply comparing tax rates--you can end up 'losing' even if you see something that might look better on paper. For example you may pay less in income tax in one state but the property taxes (if you own a house, or factored into the rental costs) may be higher such that it balances out. Or you may find that a more developed area like New York, with subways and commuter rail, is easier than Miami, where you have to drive quite a bit more and pay more for fuel.
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 3:05 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

good point re tax - will consider it and follow up on the links...thanks!
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 3:32 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Originally Posted by Berrimando
Im English but have been living in Sydney for 10 years - planning to move to Miami early next year with Husband and 2 boys for a couple of years for my husband job ( the boys are 5 and 2)
Any Brits or Aussies out there? desperate for some advice on areas to live and a good elementary school etc. Am here at the moment having a look around, doesnt seem to be much of an ex-pat community here....??!!!!!
Miami varies quite widely. If you can afford to live in a nice area like the nice parts of Coral Gables or Pinecrest you will find it good; the suburbs of Miami are like any other suburbs except with less public transport, 100% humidity and scorching heat.

My wife looks after our two toddlers at home, and we share a car. But I will soon need to buy a second car because not having a car in Miami is a real pain.

Last edited by anotherlimey; Oct 5th 2012 at 3:36 am.
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 3:45 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

If weather is a major consideration, you might want to look again. I don't think it is particularly similar to Sydney.
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 4:08 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Its pretty hot today in Sydney but i think the humdity will take a bit of getting used to!
where do you live?
( i did see the way people drive there - mad! i might be ok pootling around the suburbs but the freeway looks challenging!)
What do you think of Fort Lauderdale or Coral Springs?
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 4:38 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Me? I live in Tampa Bay. Not really familiar with Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, except climate.

I had a couple of weeks in Sydney 10 years ago, and a day in Ft Ldl 2 years ago. Traffic in Syd was nothing to FTL But you are also considering NY so who knows.
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Old Oct 5th 2012, 12:59 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Originally Posted by Berrimando
What do you think of Fort Lauderdale or Coral Springs?
I attend school in Ft. Lauderdale - very nice! My parents owned a condo in Coral Springs for 10 years before dad's health forced a move back to Canada. If you like pastel, it's a lovely area! I've nothing negative to say about either location! Lots of shopping, theatre, casinos (even smoke-free ones!) entertainment, outdoor activities year round... super place to spend time.

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Old Oct 5th 2012, 11:37 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Originally Posted by Berrimando
Hi Bob

weather similar to Sydney, but it does seem pretty unsafe and a bit crazy?! thanks!
Weather similar to Sydney - I don't think so. Miami is tropical humid. The humidity can be oppressive in the summer, merely 'high' in the spring and fall, but hey Jan, Feb, March are nice! And it never freezes.
Unsafe - yes, some parts are, but nowhere near as bad as 20 years ago.
Crazy - traffic certainly is.

Miami is locked between the sea and the everglades. There is no room for expansion so it is very crowded - almost European population density in places. Roads are choked. The Public transport system is the best in Florida which means merely inadequate instead of non-existent. Where you live depends on your husband's tolerance for commuting in gridlock and suitable schools. A lot of people working in Miami live north in Fort Lauderdale and environs, which means I-95 and the turnpike are jammed in rush hours. To the south, the suburbs only have Dixie highway north into the city, so that is jammed solid in rush hour. If your husband works downtown you might find a good solution is to live in Coral Gables/South Miami and he can get the metro to work, but Coral Gables is expensive (though so is Sydney!). You might also find good schools there. Farther south in Kendall/Pinecrest it is cheaper, but the metro doesn't go that far. Avoid any areas bordering the airport. Hialeah (NW from airport) and Little Havana (SE from airport) are mostly Spanish (but then again, about 70% of the metro population speaks Spanish as their native language). Some areas east of the airport used to be as bad as South American shanti towns, but with more guns. Miami beach is nice, and there are some cool communities up the coast toward Surfside and Bay Harbor. But good schools in Miami beach? Not sure. Somehow doubt it as the communities there are more singles than families.

Bottom line - Miami is unlike the rest of Florida and unlike anywhere else in the US. I visit often, for short stays to visit my daughter. It's an acquired taste. Expect more Cubans than Brits. You're only there for a couple of years so go in with a sense of adventure and you might enjoy it. Or you might hate it in equal measure.
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Old Oct 6th 2012, 12:56 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Originally Posted by Berrimando
Its pretty hot today in Sydney but i think the humdity will take a bit of getting used to!
where do you live?
( i did see the way people drive there - mad! i might be ok pootling around the suburbs but the freeway looks challenging!)
What do you think of Fort Lauderdale or Coral Springs?
Many people live further north and then commute, but the commute can be long and/or dangerous.

I live in Kendall which is way too congested for my liking - I would rather live further north.
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Old Oct 8th 2012, 12:43 am
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Default Re: Moving to Miami from Sydney?!

Originally Posted by Berrimando
Hi Bob

Husbands employers would handle the visa situation - and we became citizens here a few years ago!
It would be for a maximum of three years - think the choices are either New york or Miami - looks like Miami would be best financially and geographically ( lower tax rate etc) and weather similar to Sydney, but it does seem pretty unsafe and a bit crazy?!
1. If the assignment is intended to be temporary, are they going to pay all your costs to return to Australia?

2. You should give consideration to what the process would be to get a green card if you decide to settle. Be aware that a. your employer normally needs to sponsor, but also that b. even if your employer sponsors, the waiting time depends on category and could take years. If this is important, do the research now.
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