Living in Miami
By Renee Chapple, About.com Guide to Miami
Miami is both a wonderful and confusing place to live. For those arriving from other places within the United States, you quickly learn that the Latin American influences on our fair city make it unlike any other. Those from other lands learn that our government structure is at least as (if not more!) confusing than any they’ve seen before. In this section, we navigate life in Miami together, offering some clear advice on getting things done in our fair city.
Government
Miami’s government is charitably described as a confusing morass. Our intertwined city, county, state and municipal governments have overlapping jurisdictions with less-than-transparent bureaucratic processes. In this section, I provide some clear advice on navigating the bureaucracy.
- How to Get a Florida Drivers' License
- How to Get a Passport in Miami-Dade
- How to Get a Marriage License in Miami
- How to Get a Copy of a Miami Death Certificate
- How to Get a Copy of a Miami Birth Certificate
- How to Register to Vote in Miami-Dade
- How to Get a Florida Fishing License
- How to Get a Florida Hunting License
- Florida Sales Tax
- Florida Sex Offenders Registry
- STS Services for the Disabled
Weather
Hurricanes, tropical storms, heat and humidity all define the climate in Miami. We certainly get to enjoy much warmer weather than our northern neighbors, but we pay the price when it comes to severe weather. In this section, I offer practical information and advice on Miami’s unique climate.
- Miami Weather and Climate FAQ
- How to Prepare for a Hurricane
- Hurricane Categories
- Hurricane Evacuation Zones
Jobs
Miami may have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, but it's not impossible to find a job. Let me help you get your job search off on the right foot by guiding you to the best sites on the net to find employment in Dade County and the best businesses to work for.
- Miami Cost of Living and Wages
- Starting a Business in Miami
- Best Places to Work in Miami
- Largest Businesses in Miami
- How to Get a Florida Real Estate License
Education
Miami is home to the fourth-largest public school district in the nation, several major universities and some of the region's finest continuing education resources. Whether you're looking to check out your child's school or earn a graduate degree in astrophysics, this section offers a great starting point!
- Best and Worst of Miami Schools
- Top Miami High Schools
- Miami Public Schools Vacation Calendar
- University of Miami Overview
- University of Miami Academic Calendar
Travel and Transportation
Getting around Dade County can be a real challenge! Anyone who's ever tried to use public transportation wonders what the city planners were thinking when they drew the maps. Get the inside scoop on traveling around Miami from your About Guide.
- Getting Around Miami
- How to Get a SunPass
- How to Pay a Traffic Ticket
- How to Get a Baby Stroller Parking Pass
Health and Fitness
Fitness is an obsession for Miami locals! From South Beach to the suburbs, everyone's trying to stay in shape. We've also got some of the best ranked hospitals and healthcare resources in the nation.
