What Is So Great About Miami?

[mikic007]

I have been in Miami last February, for a month (plus six other southerner states) with my 23 y.o. nephew, and drove 3,000+miles on a rental car. While other US cities like Charleston, Atlanta or New Orleans have their own attractions, none combine the benefits of Miami, for us. Excellent beaches, Disney World, Universal Studios, the NASA Kennedy Space Center (where we witnessed a rocket launch at night), the Keys and other are important pluses, shopping at Sawgrass Mall was an experience in itself. New to me, there was plenty of discounts, offers, clean outs, etc; plus good prices for computers, cameras, phones, sneakers, etc, a must for the youngsters. We brought full suitcases and the kid will have enough clothing until he graduates from college, I think. How can you compete with that?

We are coming from where this is like everyday life, so instead we enjoy lining up in Ezeiza and Retiro, inflation, enjoying the sea we can not swim in and all the rest, unique in Argentina

So I understand Argentines to go somewhere like that, but still I find Miami as some weird fascination. Listening at work about travels there, how amazing is everything, people buying wedding dresses there ... It's just sick

 

[dennisr]

$$$$$

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/10/something_very_strange_is_happening_in_miami/

 

[camberiu]

Argentines and Brazilians love it because in many ways it represents the Latin America they aspire to become: Clean, warm, safe, full of Latinos, few annoying poor people (when compared to South America) and lots of shopping.

 

[Johnny]

Why do Argentines constantly ask me why, since I have a US Passport, am I not in Miami? What is so great about Miami? Why do the Argentines love it so much? I've never been, but it's in Florida, for Christ's sake. It seems I have offended yet another person by implying that just maybe he's a nut for suggesting that I, who have no connections, friends, relatives, or any interest in that city, and who haven't even lived in the US, should just pack up and be there just because I have citizenship.

I don't get it, the obsession with this particular city is just weird and after four years of getting asked the same thing, it's really starting to annoy me.

You should see the looks I get when I tell them I lived in Miami for many years but no more. Its the blank stare.

It is easy to understand the attraction for Argentines as explained in all the posts above. Living there now is a completely other thing. It has become extremely expensive.

 

[JoeGillis]

Argentines and Brazilians love it because in many ways it represents the Latin America they aspire to become: Clean, warm, safe, full of Latinos, few annoying poor people (when compared to South America) and lots of shopping.

Concisely and precisely stated, Camberiu. Excellent.

 

[camberiu]

My Argentine co-workers were dumbfounded when they found out that I much rather live in NYC than Miami. They simply could not understand why I'd make such a choice, and endure a life of cold winters, away from the beach, the Wet'n'Wild water park, and shopping at the Lincoln road.

One of them defined "heaven" this way:

Living in Miami Beach and cruising around on a Camaro convertible, with the roof down, wearing RayBan shades and listening to reggeton with the speakers all the way up to eleven.

He even knew which song he would be listening to

. Go figure.....

 

[andesmandes]

It seems to be quite popular in some parts of Europe as well. Never understood why.

 

[wineguy999]

It's been my personal experience that many Argentinos that think Miami is paradise have never actually been there. But they are happy to tell you how great it is!

 

[johnw100]

It seems to be quite popular in some parts of Europe as well. Never understood why.

Well its year round warm temperatures help and the first language being English , although thats debatable.
I held out from going for 45 years, lots of British go but it always looked like a chavfest to me, rather go to Asia personally. I only went the last two years to give me some retail therapy after living in Arg for a few years, and came home with most of best buy in my suitcase.
Have to say Miami beach was one of the weirdest beach experiences of my life. There were people with huge gazebos setup on the beach, mostly tattoo`d rednecks (sunburnt, so technically rednecks) playing loud gansta rap which was nice, just what you need to relax on the beach. Then every now and then some geeky looking pale guy with a huge camera and telephoto lens would come along dressed like they were on safari and start taking photos, probably of the women on the beach. I counted about 10 different guys, all by themselves over the course of one hot day. One old bloke came and stood about a foot away from us and set up his big tripod, I cracked up laughing when he pulled out this tiny little pocket camera and attached it to the tripod. Presumably to help stop his shaking hands when taking photos of the "birds" . I said, ah never mind mate, its not the size its what you do with it that counts. He didnt get my British humour and walked off in his sandals and socks.
And then another time I just saw some old bloke run into the sea with all his clothes on and start doing exercises in the water.
Crazy place.

 

[jeff1234]

I lived in Miami for a few years and met quite a few people that were originally from South America.
They all moved for political stability, economic opportunity and education for their kids.
Since I've been in Argentina I've had people ask me where I came from and then light up when I mention Miami.
I guess if you dream of a better place why not include have sunshine and beaches.