Thoughts on Miami’s Evolution from a True Miamian

In today's Miami - an international hub hailing people from all over the world from far-away places like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, China, Italy, France, Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico and more - I am considered somewhat of an anomaly by the many different travelers who have decided to make Miami their home.  Not only am I one of the few true born and bred Miamians, but I also returned from living in other exciting cities such as Los Angeles and New York City.  It's funny to see people's reaction when I respond, "Yes I am from Miami.  Born at South Miami Hospital, studied at Ransom Everglades, and now I live here."  Their puzzled and shocked facial expressions always surprise me because as I grew up it was always the other way around.  I would ask people, "Where are you from?"  Most of the time they were locals like me, but on the rare occasion I would meet someone from Venezuela or Colombia or Cuba or Europe.  I would then respond, "That's so cool," now I am the "cool one."

I am always asked as to how Miami has changed from when I was a child to now.  The biggest thing that I always say is that Miami, like me, has grown up.  It has been exposed to new people, cultures, tastes, lifestyles and as a result it has taken its presence in the world as a leading global city attracting people from all different walks of life.  While I was in high school there were only a few places where one could go out for a night of fun ' South Beach or Coconut Grove.  Now there are a plethora of neighborhoods where you can take in a show, visit a museum, eat, drink, dance and be merry.  The moment when I started to see Miami shift was with the opening of one of my all time favorite clubs called Pawn Shop in the Wynwood District.  At the time, it was unprecedented that Pawn Shop decided to choose that neighborhood as its location, and now it is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Miami filled with restaurants, art galleries, funky stores, bars, and is home to cool events like III Points Festival. Pawn Shop had the vision, even years ago, of the direction Miami was heading in.

For the last four years I have been working in the real estate industry which has given me a new found love and perspective of this amazing city I am lucky to be a part of.  I know what you are thinking, "oh she is just saying this because she's in sales and real estate sales is all about location."  Well let me tell you that's not the reason and I am not a sales person.  Working in this industry has made me fall in love with this city because I have had to experience all the many wonders it has in order to understand why Miami is such a mecca and a golden opportunity.

Let me give you some perspective.  Four years ago, I moved back from New York City, which I absolutely didn't want to do because I viewed Miami as the sleepy town I lived in during high school with nothing to do or nowhere to go except for boating (which yes I do love to do), South Beach and the Grove.  I was very wrong, I remember walking to Art Miami, during Art Basel, and was perplexed as to how the city has grown and blossomed during the 8 years I had lived away from home.  What I've come to learn is that, like me, Miami is on a journey and it has impressed the world around them because of the major strides it made to be a leading city of the world.  Personally, I view this as only the beginning and that we will see more great things to come as the city continues to grow, learn and develop. 

Oh, and, by the way, the taxes are pretty great.