Thinking about moving to Miami? South Florida offers no state income tax, year-round sun, the water and a truly bilingual culture. It also comes with real trade-offs: insurance, flood zones and traffic. Here is a practical guide from a local agent.
Why people move to Miami
- No state income tax. Florida does not tax personal income.
- Lifestyle: beaches, boating and fishing from Biscayne Bay to the Florida Keys, plus food, music and culture.
- International and bilingual: Spanish is spoken everywhere, and Miami is a gateway to Latin America.
- Growing job market in finance, tech, trade, healthcare, construction and tourism.
Picking a neighborhood
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| Beach and high-rise living | Miami Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale |
| Historic homes, shade trees, top schools | Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay |
| Suburban family homes | Kendall, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Cutler Bay |
| More house for the money | Homestead, Miami Gardens, North Miami |
| Classic Cuban-Miami neighborhoods | Hialeah, Westchester |
| Island life and the water | Key Largo and the Upper Keys |
See every area on our neighborhood guides page.
Costs to plan for
- Home insurance is higher than in most of the country. Roof age and wind protection matter a lot. Read our insurance guide.
- Flood zones: check the flood zone and the seller's flood disclosure on any home. See our flood guide.
- Property taxes: they reset near the purchase price when you buy. Run numbers with our mortgage calculator.
- Condo costs: newer Florida condo safety laws mean some older buildings have higher fees or special assessments. See our condo guide.
Homestead exemption
If the home is your permanent residence, you can apply for Florida's homestead exemption with the county property appraiser. Under current rules it lowers the taxable value and limits how fast the assessed value can rise each year. You generally must own and live in the home on January 1 and apply by March 1. A statewide property tax amendment is on the November 2026 ballot, so homestead rules may change; we will update this guide once results are final.
Hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Homes with impact windows, a newer roof and a generator are easier to live in and to insure. Newer homes are built to Florida's strict building code.
Getting around
Miami is spread out, and most people drive. Brightline trains connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, and Metrorail and Tri-Rail cover parts of the region. Living near where you work makes a big difference.
More guides and tools
Moving to South Florida?
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