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Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

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Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#2
This is my anecdotal experience - there has been a lot of fluff around several products, possibly because of low interest rates. There are few focused builders but the rest seem to preach the concept of “building” but really it all seems to be for show

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#4
I'd like to hear some perspectives on this too.

Just recently came back from yet another trip to Miami and in my opinion it puts most other US metropolitan cities to shame. Miami's sprawling development, balance of urban density and natural open spaces, network of enclaves / hubs of activity, relative cleanliness, paved roads, coastal access, and obviously weather, have all made me seriously consider it for my next move. I've lived in both LA and NYC for over a decade each and have grown so disheartened by their states of utter disrepair. When people start to believe the grunge and filth of a city is part of its charm, you know Stockholm Syndrome has set in. I used to be that way until I started spending extended time in cities with more thoughtful planning and a modicum of self-respect.

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#5
You can get objective criteria. As someone who lived there until literally months ago for much of my adulthood, there are definitely serious issues for a tech/startup city.

The education system isn't highly rated overall so you'll have to choose carefully if you have kids. Similar if you're depending on a pool of local tech talent.

There was some social media stuff about it being a tech city but that was based on the mayor's Twitter exchange with Elon and then some sort of sales guy in the mayor's office and their hype.

For all the social media blips it generated, no major tech companies have moved any offices there since and many of the local companies are looking to move either upstate to areas like Orlando (or even out of state) to get away from of the Miami issues.

Take objective results like cost of living, rent, education quality (if you have kids it's one measure and hiring is another of course), traffic, crime, average income, etc. Maybe even go and visit for a couple months in the summer since people from up north would sometimes complain about our heat and humidity lol.

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#6

I'd like to hear some perspectives on this too. Just recently came back from yet another trip to Miami and in my opinion it puts most other US metropolitan cities to shame. Miami's sprawling development, balance of urban density and natural open spaces, network of enclaves / hubs of activity, relative cleanliness, paved roads, coastal access, and obviously weather, have all made me seriously consider it for my next m…

Building, and the will to build is so key to a city's vitality. Hearing Miami is this way very much makes me want to visit and see it with my own eyes.

Do you know of any other American cities that are like this right now?

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#7

You can get objective criteria. As someone who lived there until literally months ago for much of my adulthood, there are definitely serious issues for a tech/startup city. The education system isn't highly rated overall so you'll have to choose carefully if you have kids. Similar if you're depending on a pool of local tech talent. There was some social media stuff about it being a tech city but that was based on the…

Would you mind providing more info on why you left? Did the city push you out or did you pursue opportunity elsewhere? Outside of the issues you outlined for tech, how is life there otherwise?

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#8

I'd like to hear some perspectives on this too. Just recently came back from yet another trip to Miami and in my opinion it puts most other US metropolitan cities to shame. Miami's sprawling development, balance of urban density and natural open spaces, network of enclaves / hubs of activity, relative cleanliness, paved roads, coastal access, and obviously weather, have all made me seriously consider it for my next m…

I'm not sure how you saw a https://www.newsbreak.com/miami-fl/2964830065686-report-miam... balance of density and natural open spaces because Miami ranks near the bottom for parks and density incl traffic https://www.newsbreak.com/miami-fl/2964830065686-report-miam...

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#9
post #3

Honestly this is the first i've ever heard of it. Was it even a meme? I'm sure there might be some tech companies there? I've just never heard it mentioned in any of my circles.

It was trying to be a “tech/crypto” hub, but really it was just hedge funds and wealthy investors getting tired of mask mandates in their home states and “moving their businesses” to Miami - compounded by Elon talking with city officials on Twitter.

I think Miami is a poorly managed, over policed, and a very segregated city - with a heavy focus on leisure and entertainment for tourism. In the same vain, I’d actually say Las Vegas is a bigger tech hub and more business friendly than Miami (honestly better weather too, the humidity and spastic thunderstorms in Miami are rough)

Re: Ask HN: Is Miami a legit tech/startup city or was that just a meme?

#10

You can get objective criteria. As someone who lived there until literally months ago for much of my adulthood, there are definitely serious issues for a tech/startup city. The education system isn't highly rated overall so you'll have to choose carefully if you have kids. Similar if you're depending on a pool of local tech talent. There was some social media stuff about it being a tech city but that was based on the…

"The education system isn't highly rated overall so you'll have to choose carefully if you have kids."

This is an understatement. Virtually everyone I knew in Florida who had kids sent them to private school. These weren't rich people (they weren't in tech). Anyone who was remotely middle class would find a way to scrap the funds together because the public schools were so horrendous.

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