I have been living in Miami for about 14 years now. When most people think of Miami, they think of beaches and parties and beautiful people. That is NOT the Miami that I live in.

I live in the Miami where families work and play. Where the beach is about 20 miles away, which in Miami traffic, takes about 40 minutes to get to.

I have a strong love/hate relationship with Miami. So here goes….

5 Things I Love to Hate About Miami

 

It’s not all what you see on TV

Every time you Google Miami or look for things to do here, the same few images show up: the colorful lifeguard stands on South Beach, the lights shining on the Art Deco hotels that line Ocean Drive, or the sight of our downtown while driving over the causeway. Heck, they even show those same images when you watch a pro-sporting event on TV. It’s so misleading….

I don’t speak Spanish

Yeah, I said it. I don’t speak Spanish. I’m not refusing to speak Spanish, I just can’t. Partner that with the fact that EVERYONE speaks Spanish ALL THE TIME and they don’t care if you can or not… It’s frustrating.

“Cuban Time”

I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s the accepted fact that people are generally 30 minutes late to everything. You just have to learn that whatever time is on an invitation or an event, you have about a 30 minute lead-way. It’s annoying. (I am so guilty of this all the time!)

Hurricane Season

I know that every area has their own natural disaster and they all suck. But I swear that during hurricane season this whole city goes nuts! The weather forecasters prey on everyone’s fear and show the “cone of death” that could be still forming off Africa, but they strongly encourage you to “be prepared.” Then when you go to the store to pick up your weekly groceries, the shelves are empty and the hurricane isn’t even heading toward us. (I am in no way stating that you shouldn’t be prepared for hurricanes. They are very serious. But at least wait until it’s near Cuba or Puerto Rico.)

Personal Space Invaders

It’s not a fun video game. It’s the annoying habit that so many people have in Miami when you’re standing in line anywhere you are. Seriously lady, I can feel you breathing on the back of my neck and smell your lunch. BACK OFF!

 

Seriously though, I love Miami. I love the fact that we can go to the beach at any given moment, I wear sandals 95% of the time, and we can always grill. Just to name a few….

 

What do you LOVE/HATE about where you live?