I'm a New Yorker who visited Miami for the first time. The neighborhoods, social scene, and affordability surprised me most.

Joey HaddenJul 25, 2024, 01:50 IST

The author is a New Yorker who went to Miami for the first time in October 2021.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm a New Yorker who traveled to Miami for the first time in October 2021.
Many things were surprising, namely that Miami seemed less expensive and more social than New York.

I'm a New Yorker, and until October 2021, I'd never been to Miami.

Looking for warmth and a change of scenery, I made my first trip to Florida's Magic City. During my visit, I explored a range of neighborhoods. I was surprised by the many key similarities and differences between Miami and NYC, where I've lived for five years now.

The first thing I noticed about Miami was how cheap public transit was compared to New York.

The author rides a train in Miami.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Miami also has a free trolley that runs across the city for 15 hours a day. I haven't heard of anything similar in New York.

Miami's free trolley stops in the city's Coconut Grove neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I also found that private Lyft rides in Miami were up to four times cheaper to travel the same distance as my rides in NYC.

The author took a few Lyfts during her trip.Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Walking down the streets of Miami, I noticed there didn't seem to be as many trash cans as in New York, but the streets still seemed cleaner.

A trash can in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In some areas of Miami, I noticed more yield than stop signs.

A yield sign in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I often — incorrectly — assume smaller, or highly car-dependent cities won't be as walkable as New York. However, I was pleased to find that Miami had many walkable neighborhoods all over the city, not just in the downtown area.

People walk around South Beach and Coconut Grove in Miami.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I often — incorrectly — assume smaller, or highly car-dependent cities won't be as walkable as New York. However, I was pleased to find that Miami had many walkable neighborhoods all over the city, not just in the downtown area.

I visited Miami in October and knew it had a reputation for being warm year-round. But I didn't know it was one of the warmest locations in the US in winter, with highs of nearly 80 degrees.

A date and temperature sign in South Beach.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I visited Miami in October and knew it had a reputation for being warm year-round. But I didn't know it was one of the warmest locations in the US in winter, with highs of nearly 80 degrees.

The warm weather also came with high humidity, which I found to be unbearable at times.

The author experienced hot, humid weather in South Beach.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As I explored, I thought people seemed more eager to talk to strangers than in New York.

People play basketball at a public park in South Beach.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I also sampled Miami nightlife, and while New York is known as the city that never sleeps, after a night in South Beach, I'm convinced it could share the title.

People gather on Ocean Drive in South Beach.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

One of my favorite discoveries in Miami was the abundant street art.

Murals in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Of course, no trip to Miami is complete without a stop at the beach. Miami Beach may be the cleanest beach I have ever seen.

Miami Beach on a sunny day.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before visiting Miami, I never thought of it as a nature destination. But it's bordered by two national parks — Biscayne and Everglades.

A view of the Everglades from a dock near Miami.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I shopped for groceries at the local supermarket, Publix, I found items I buy in New York, like Justin's Peanut Butter, available for a few bucks cheaper than at the market near my apartment.

Peanut butter for sale at a Publix in Miami.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I shopped for groceries at the local supermarket, Publix, I found items I buy in New York, like Justin's Peanut Butter, available for a few bucks cheaper than at the market near my apartment.

I was also able to tour a 1,100-square-foot apartment in Miami and discovered that I could live with double the space for roughly the same price as my 500-square-foot Brooklyn abode.

A Miami apartment that costs the same as the author's NYC apartment.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was also able to tour a 1,100-square-foot apartment in Miami and discovered that I could live with double the space for roughly the same price as my 500-square-foot Brooklyn abode.

Overall, I found my week in Miami to be a warm, friendly change of pace from my life in New York City.

The author enjoys her time in Miami.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I traveled to Tulum's brand-new airport. It's bright and beautiful, but I was shocked by the hidden transportation fee.

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I'm a New Yorker who visited Miami for the first time. The neighborhoods, social scene, and affordability surprised me most.

The first thing I noticed about Miami was how cheap public transit was compared to New York.

Miami also has a free trolley that runs across the city for 15 hours a day. I haven't heard of anything similar in New York.

I also found that private Lyft rides in Miami were up to four times cheaper to travel the same distance as my rides in NYC.

Walking down the streets of Miami, I noticed there didn't seem to be as many trash cans as in New York, but the streets still seemed cleaner.

In some areas of Miami, I noticed more yield than stop signs.

I often — incorrectly — assume smaller, or highly car-dependent cities won't be as walkable as New York. However, I was pleased to find that Miami had many walkable neighborhoods all over the city, not just in the downtown area.

I visited Miami in October and knew it had a reputation for being warm year-round. But I didn't know it was one of the warmest locations in the US in winter, with highs of nearly 80 degrees.

The warm weather also came with high humidity, which I found to be unbearable at times.

As I explored, I thought people seemed more eager to talk to strangers than in New York.

I also sampled Miami nightlife, and while New York is known as the city that never sleeps, after a night in South Beach, I'm convinced it could share the title.

One of my favorite discoveries in Miami was the abundant street art.

Of course, no trip to Miami is complete without a stop at the beach. Miami Beach may be the cleanest beach I have ever seen.

Before visiting Miami, I never thought of it as a nature destination. But it's bordered by two national parks — Biscayne and Everglades.

When I shopped for groceries at the local supermarket, Publix, I found items I buy in New York, like Justin's Peanut Butter, available for a few bucks cheaper than at the market near my apartment.

I was also able to tour a 1,100-square-foot apartment in Miami and discovered that I could live with double the space for roughly the same price as my 500-square-foot Brooklyn abode.

Overall, I found my week in Miami to be a warm, friendly change of pace from my life in New York City.