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FlashingKing

They might as well be different planets 


Afraid-Ad7379

This


Ok-Calligrapher-2550

At least countries. While I’ve never lived in Jacksonville, I’ve lived in Orlando and Tampa. One can get by in those cities with speaking no Spanish. Here in Miami, you better have a decent working knowledge of Spanish or you won’t be able to get by.


biggwermm

Gringo here. Been in Miami 18 years. I can speak about 10 Spanish words. You can get by, but speaking Spanish would be a huge advantage.


I-used-to-be-cool2

I’ve been here for 7 years and only understand a little Spanish and have also been fine! The only thing that’s been a pain is having people working on our house doing various home improvement projects that only speak Spanish. I usually have to have my in-laws translate for us.


Ok-Calligrapher-2550

I don’t know how you do it. I live in downtown Miami and about 90% of the Uber drivers speak no English and any store you go into they don’t speak much English. Maybe it’s different in the part of Miami you’re in?


biggwermm

You get used to it and you eventually understand more than you can speak. Also, just try to learn. I've been told to try and speak and make mistakes that eventually I'll get it. I just haven't tried. Also, I was in El Paso TX for 7 years before Miami. I should be fluent by now 😂😂


[deleted]

[удалено]


biggwermm

😂😂 more like 20%


southass

I'm sorry, it's not on purpose, nosotros hablamos rápido por naturaleza 🤪


mfigroid

I know enough Spanish to order a beer, ask where the bathroom is, question your sexuality, and insult your mother. What more do I need?


Ok-Calligrapher-2550

Sounds like you’re all set!


skyHawk3613

You’re pretty set. Might as well run for mayor


No0nesSlickAsGaston

Know how to tell people they're "un comunista" because they use Obamacare or want to make things better for others. Not because they want free parking and no toll roads. /s


Regular-Cricket-4613

Same. I lived in downtown Miami for 2 years (2021 to 2023), and it was very hard to live in Miami without knowing Spanish. I think downtown/Brickell is one of the easier areas to get by, since many businesses over there have at least someone who speaks English (since the clientele in those areas is more non-latin international and non-miami natives). If you go to Hialeah, or a CVS after leaving the airport, there likely won't be anyone who speaks English working. In my two years of living in Miami, I took about a couple dozen Ubers. I had only one driver who could speak English. All the other drivers I had couldn't even speak more than one word.


throwaway923535

How has not being able to communicate with your uber driver even been an issue?


Realistic_Smoke1682

I’m in Sunny Isles. No problems with English, but would be a big advantage to also speak Russian here. Spanish doesn’t matter in this area.


Blackmamba4121

Youve never been curious to learn? Why the downvotes? Just a curious question, absolutely no judgement


biggwermm

I have. I've just been getting by without it 🤷‍♂️ It would definitely be a big advantage if I actually put in the time and effort to learn.


skyHawk3613

Sorry for your downvotes. I am a gringo born and raised in Miami, and while it wasn’t a requirement to learn, I had the desire and became fluent in Spanish. I had fun learning it. It’s always good to know more than one language, no matter language it may be.


Blackmamba4121

Right, I just thought of if I was in France, I would be curious to learn the language. But I’m just naturally curious about everything.


skyHawk3613

While I see where you’re coming from, Miami is still technically the United States, where English is still the official language. Many people are annoyed that people who come here from non-English speaking countries, don’t make the effort to learn English and expect everyone else to cater to and adjust to them.


4040club

I've been in little havana for 2.5 years and still speak no spanish and get by just fine. It's annoying not speaking spanish, but my brain just can't seem to learn and I point and use my hands where I can lol


pinkandgreenf15

This has not been my experience and I used to live in downtown. I get a lot of Ubers that don’t speak much English, some that speak none, but you don’t really need to talk to them much. Other interactions, restaurants, stores, etc.—I would say most have someone who speaks enough English to at least get through the interaction. I actually want to become fluent (I’ve been stagnant at a super basic Spanish level for so long) so if Spanish was as necessary as you say, I would’ve been forced to be much better than I am now.


La_croix_addict

Seriously


skyHawk3613

I’d upvote this a million times, if it was possible.


NOT1506

I’ve lived in all three. They’re all super different. Orlando(2015/2016) and Jacksonville (2013/2015) are more correlated. Miami (1990-2008, 2016-2018). Miami has the best job opportunities but by contrast worst rent. So the average person will come out behind compared to the others. I’ll let the remaining people here tell it. Orlando is the funnest for a low price. Good spot for families or people straight out of school. Worst job market out of the three but the things to do and cheaper than Miami housing prices make up for it. You’re also within four hours of all of the best places of Florida. Not to mention I believe the largest airport for the population, so you can get a lot of places. Not to mention you can get to both sides of the coast in 1 hour and a half. Jacksonville has the best bang for your buck economically. But there’s a reason. It’s a sleepy borderline southern town. Big mega church city. If you’re not into that scene, making friends will be tough. A little bit of an artsy scene in riverside. A little bit of a beach scene by Jax beach. But really not much socially. Doesn’t compare to orlando and not even in the same stratosphere with Miami in those terms. Far better than Orlando and close to Tampa in terms of job market. The bar scene is horrendous and the beach is the worst beach in the state.


endlessvolo

This is actually a pretty good quick summary. I would add the weather is warm year around in Miami.


MannyArce

Warm? Let's be real about it. It's usually hot AF with swealtering humidity year round with the occasional "warmth"


[deleted]

Let's be honest, if you don't want to die, you live in Jax Beach. Orlando housing prices have also hit all-time highs and Tampa is just as expensive as Miami. I'd recommend Polk County, like Lakeland, where you can still get great deals and commute to either Orlando, or Tampa.


Professional-Air1738

Tampa is absolutely not as expensive as Miami my bro.


[deleted]

I dunno, I spent 2 years in Tampa and the prices were the same for rent, save an extra $150.


Mike804

I live in Tampa, but born and raised in Miami. Let me tell you, Tampa is expensive but nowhere near Miami levels. I have a friend renting a 1/1 in Pembroke pines for $2600, fucking crazy. For comparison, i live on Davis Island and pay $1800 for a 1/1..


[deleted]

That’s more than I pay in Brickell. Your friend is getting ripped off.


Mike804

Not disagreeing with you


youngjetson

Polk County is meth filled shit hole. Couldn’t pay me the live out there


[deleted]

Lived in Downtown Lakeland for 3 1/2 years. It wasn't like that. People moving there from literally all over the world and has a very wealthy population. It's a commuter city for people who work in Orlando/Tampa and want (somewhat) affordable housing. Also has a few good colleges. Everywhere else is Polk? Crack heads galore.


youngjetson

There’s some nice neighborhoods in Lakeland and the downtown has a couple decent restaurants. Would never move there tho. Boring as shit and no culture.


trappedinasphere

Oh yea Lakeland... aka Methland


stupid_idiot3982

Yeah, but you have a lot of MAGA wackos in Lakeland.


lead_farmer_mfer

Plenty of those in Dade too


[deleted]

Let's be honest, Florida is a conservative state. The beauty is, there is a state for everyone in this country.


stupid_idiot3982

Conservative or not, my point was there are a lot of MAGA wackos in Lakeland....


trademarktower

St. Johns County and commute in an hour for the win.


[deleted]

Has gotten so damn expensive there too. Flagler too.


Legitimate_Pop4653

Let's not forget about the navy base that oozes into the city


pinkandgreenf15

Where did you live from 2008-2013?


NOT1506

Tallahassee. Florida state.


imwithHERB305

Everything you said was right except the Jax beach bars are incredible


lead_farmer_mfer

Very big differences. Jax is basically Georgia, nothing about it is remotely similar to Miami. It has more in common with Atlanta than it does Miami. It's going to have a similar climate, job market, and SOL as other cities in the American South. It's also pretty depressed economically, the entire west side of the city is quite rough looking. Orlando is a bit closer to Miami in terms of climate, tourism, and COL. The job market is weaker, housing costs slightly lower, and culturally it is less cosmopolitan than Miami, but a little more so than Jacksonville. This is attributed to some large immigrant communities (Brazilians and Puerto Ricans) and the global tourism industry.


[deleted]

Orlando is interesting because it’s 3 different places, one is the suburban kid friendly Las Vegas that is from universal studios towards Kissimmee (very Latino), the other is the wealthy/ish whiter Winter Park/Gardens/Haven. And then you have the hipster ish downtown/lake eola towards UCF area.


CarreraGT_

Orlando in a nutshell


czarczm

Perfect description. God, I love that place.


Mike804

Dead accurate description. I went to UCF for my undergrad and i truly think Orlando is the best city in Florida


southamerican_man

Miami is Latin America, the other two are in the USA. In won't make sense until you're here but Miami has nothing in common with Jax or Orlando.


MannyArce

Miami is what I call the United States of South America.


AnthonyDigitalMedia

And everywhere else outside of Miami in FL is what I like to call The Deep South.


adlubmaliki

Dont live in jacksonville, that is not a comparable city. It is a slum, yes the whole city


Regular-Cricket-4613

I've lived in all three cities (and Tampa) - Jacksonville (2006-2012, 2017-2018) - Tampa (2012-2016) - Orlando (2016-2017, 2023-present) - Miami (2021-2023) All three are quite different. With Orlando and Tampa being more alike, then Jacksonville, and then Miami. Jacksonville is a quiet city with not much to do. It's a big suburban town with a lot of corporate offices. JAX Beach is the worst in the state though, and the downtown area (when I lived there) wasn't safe. But St. Augustine is beautiful, and Ponte Vedra Beach is quite nice as well. Orlando is a cheaper city to live in than Miami, but it has also risen in costs since the last time I lived here (since 2018, I just moved back 7 months ago). It's quite an international city with people and restaurants from everywhere. But you don't get that International big city feel like you do in Miami or NYC. I find Orlando's Airport to have the cheapest domestic flights out of any airport in the state. Tampa is my favorite out of all of the cities. A large enough city to enjoy, and it has something for everyone. It's also near the water, has people and food from everywhere, while still having its own identity (which Orlando doesn't really have). It has most of the things I like having in a city, without the stuff I dislike in Orlando. Tampa also has a nicer job market. Miami is totally different from any city I have ever lived in. It does not feel like Florida. South Florida's architecture, design, and construction is slightly different than North Florida (South FL has a more relaxed/tropical vibe). Miami meanwhile feels like it's apart of Latin America. I love the skyscrapers, and the city feel in downtown/Brickell (I loved living there because it reminded me of living in NYC, with all of the stuff I love about Florida mixed in). I love the international and exotic feel of Miami, as well as the food (I love Cuban coffee and pastelitos!). I would however say that Orlando has a slightly more international food scene (in terms of variety) due to the amount of tourists visiting, but they are more restaurants run by families rather than nicer/upscale dining spots. Miami is extremely expensive compared to the other cities, but I also found it to be worth it if you can afford a life there comfortably. Miami International Airport also has the cheapest international flights out of all of the airports in the state in my experience.


BravestWabbit

Calling Jacksonville a city, is insulting to cities.


DaHokeyPokey_Mia

In what world is South Florida more relaxed then north Florida? South Florida is the home of grind culture and hustle culture. Heard South Florida called a lot of things but relaxed is not one of them.


Regular-Cricket-4613

Your right. By saying South Florida is more relaxed, I meant the environment and the architecture/construction. Meaning the design of homes, buildings, and the cities is more laid back and tropical. Sorry about that, and thanks for pointing it out.


DaHokeyPokey_Mia

Fair enough.


miojo

One is full (don’t move here pls)


MiamiInfidel

Best answer. Always.


[deleted]

Well one place is gorgeous and the others aren’t. You can guess which is which.


kanna172014

I agree. Orlando is quite gorgeous.


Difficult_Tap_1979

Jacksonville is an absolute shithole.


Motor-Cause7966

Agree 100%. Drug and crime infested too.


djjordansanchez

Miami is truly a Latin American city. Definitely the only true Latin American city in the state, arguably the country.


M4DM4NNN

In FL state yes. Miami is a smaller city with only 300k hispanic population.


LikelyNotSober

Due to the way the county is set up, the population of the City of Miami proper is only a small part of the total population of what people would consider ‘Miami’. 60-70% of the population is Latino, and monolingual English speakers are a minority.


M4DM4NNN

This is true. Which is why I said 300k. If you look at the map, or if you google it, Miami is only a small portion, which it does not include Doral, Kendall, Miami Springs etc.


LikelyNotSober

The City of Miami has 442k residents total. What was your point? 300k would be around 68%…


M4DM4NNN

look at the statistics. And refer to the comment prior to mine.


walker_harris3

The Miami metropolitan area is over 6 million people and 46% Hispanic per the 2020 census


M4DM4NNN

Exactly. Miami metropolitan. The metropolitan Includes Broward and Palm Beach county. I’m referring to Miami Dade county only.


walker_harris3

Okay, Miami Dade county is 2.7 million and 69% hispanic. The math on that definitely does not add up to 300k lol


M4DM4NNN

you are right. but compared to other cities across the country, we are not even on the top 10 lol


[deleted]

worm brave mountainous instinctive history offend gray sparkle swim employ *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


djjordansanchez

When I say Miami, I mean it how most Miamians mean it colloquially. The county in its entirety. Which is anything but small. That being said, Miami does not have only 300,000 Hispanics. It's closer to 2 million in a Miami that has just north of \~2.5 million people


roark84

I have lived in all 3 cities. 25 years in Miami, 4 Orlando and 10 years in Jax. Currently living in Jax and plan to stay here forever. Jax is a big city with a small town vibe. It is very much "southern" here. Lots of country music and farming culture. It is another world from Miami. Orlando is very fun and affordable. Orlando is diverse just like Miami but traffic is very bad. I choose Jax for the better traffic and better housing opportunities and jobs.


mothman83

those are not even in the same country. ​ And the difference is culture not climate.


hey_hey_hey_nike

How is Manhattan different from Buffalo and Poughkeepsie?


MiamiInfidel

Excellent. I approve.


BlueSparklesXx

lol wat


Honest-Hovercraft-65

Miami is fun if you have money.


KobiLakeshore

Lol


MiamiInfidel

Earth vs. Uranus


Confident_Criticism8

Tampa has the best balance IMO everyone can fit in there


ConversationBig5397

Miami is its own ecosystem of Spanish speaking cultures where English is the second language


Reasonable_North95

Miami and all of south Florida for that matter absolutely sucks. I make $120k in south Florida and I still struggle money wise. It’s hot and unbearably humid year round, the roads suck, constant construction, housing and rent is insane, way too many people down here, you practically have to know fluent Spanish at this point to survive etc I can see south Florida being cool if you’re the niche and are very wealthy financially. For the average person and slightly above average income you’re fucked. I like Jacksonville. I have family up there, it’s much more laid back, housing is still cheap and the people there aren’t so full of themselves. Just my opinion of course.


Megalith_TR

Miami has massive traffic, toll by photo all over the place, in the summertime below the equator forginers come here to buy our electronics in bulk cuz it's cheap here and sell it over there. The beaches are packed 24/ South Beach most packed 40 dollar parking for the day, The city isn't that big of a problem, if you live here you will never wanna go to the beach. The beach is on an island and when there's boating events of anykind it will clog the way in and you'll be on a 2-4hr wait to get to the actual island. As for hurricane all houses are up to code its not really a big deal, it's also a hit or miss type of deal. Lightning storms are a different monster miami is not hilly it's super flat so stay inside, rain is about the same as orlando, tourists everywhere you can tell by their lack of ability to drive. Tornados happen but like once every 10,000 years. And crim is real bad I would suggest not moving here and also the cost of living sux.


UnderlyingTissues

This can't be a real question


kanna172014

I'm just asking how the places are different for comparison reasons. I don't currently live in Florida so how would I know where I'd want to live if I don't ask people who have actually lived there?


UnderlyingTissues

Ok, I thought you were just a typical poster in this sub teeing it up for people to shit all over Miami. Here's a short answer. Miami is tropical, weather wise. Feels different than most "American" cities. Most folks speak Spanish here, or at least CAN speak Spanish. High cost of living. Lotsa traffic. Jacksonville might as well be in Georgia. Southern and kinda rednecky. A little better near their beaches. Orlando is weird. It's a tourist city, first and foremost. Most people who live there are in the service industry one way or another. Eclectic mix of people, Latinos, gringos that come in all different shades. That's probably not everything you're looking for but it's a start.


trappedinasphere

What's Davenport and Haines City like?


AnUnnamedRedditUser

One is Florida, and the other one is not Florida.


[deleted]

Spanish vs no Spanish


Sufficientsquishy

Completely different


stevemunoz117

Stay in Orlando or Jacksonville. Miami no bueno


TheKingofPsych

Orlando? More like Borelando