Miami Relocation Guide

Moving to Miami? It’s easy to become smitten by the white sand beaches, year-round sunshine and vast array of dining, nightlife, shopping, arts and culture in this cosmopolitan subtropical paradise, not to mention that the destination is an ever-growing hub for commerce, tech, entrepreneurship and international trade. To help navigate the logistics of moving to a new place, we’ve put together a relocation guide for new residents moving to Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

Choose A Neighborhood & Find A New Home

Our interactive neighborhood map is a great place to start browsing Miami’s diverse neighborhoods to learn about what each unique place has to offer – from urban hubs to charming seaside villages. If it’s beach living that you long for, consider South Beach, Surfside, Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour or Key Biscayne. If it’s the excitement of the city that you want, then Downtown Miami and Brickell may be for you, while Wynwood is swiftly growing into a residential hub with new condos. Charming residential neighborhoods include Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. If you are looking for a suburban lifestyle, Doral and South Dade can’t be beat. A real estate agent can act as a neighborhood guide and also facilitate buying or renting your new home. 

Find Employment Or Start Your Own Business

Now that you know where you’re going to live, chances are you’ll need to find a job. Miami-Dade County lists government employment opportunities. The hospitality industry is a substantial economic force in Miami, and major private employers include Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Cruise Line, Miami International Airport, Miami Marlins, Hard Rock Stadium and  PortMiami.

If you’re moving to Miami to start or grow your own business, residing in Miami offers a number of tax advantages. There is no local corporate tax, a very low state corporate tax and no state personal income tax. The Miami-Dade County online portal and the U.S. Small Business Administration both offer tips and technical assistance. Miami-Dade County's official economic development partnership, the Beacon Council, provides business assistance to companies expanding in or relocating to Miami-Dade County. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce represents the private business sector and offers resources to local companies. There are also chambers dedicated to local municipalities and groups, including the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and more. Becoming a partner with us here at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is also a great strategy for local businesses.

Research Schools & Education Opportunities

There are both public and private schools throughout Miami-Dade County. Offering education from kindergarten through 12th grade, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the third-largest public school district in the nation and has an interactive tool that allows you to plug in your home address to find schools in your neighborhood, including magnet and Cambridge schools. For continuing education opportunities, Miami is also home to Florida International University, University of Miami, Miami Dade College and other colleges and universities.

Set Up Utilities & Get Settled In

Read on for a short checklist of utility and service companies:

Electricity: Florida Power & Light Co. provides an online system for opening an electric service account.

Water: To apply for water and sewer service, visit the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department’s online portal.

Trash & Recycling: There are both do-it-yourself options and garbage collection companies. Start your search on Miami-Dade County’s trash and recycling website.

Telephone, Internet and Cable: Xfinity offers bundled packages for residents who need phone, internet and cable TV services. Dish offers Florida residents standard or custom TV packages to suit your needs and interests.

Mail Forwarding: Change your address and set up mail forwarding with the United States Postal Service.

Newspaper Delivery: The Miami Herald offers both English- and Spanish-language daily newspapers and publications in print and online.

Register to Vote: Fulfill your civic duty and register to vote in Miami-Dade County.

Understanding Transportation

If you’re moving from out of state or another country, you’ll need a Florida driver’s license and Florida tags for your vehicle from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department. There are also various public transit options, including Metrobus, Metromover and Metrorail.

Find Your Local Bank & Health Care Providers

For your personal and business banking needs, there are a number of established banks to choose from, including Bank of America and Regions Bank. RSM is a provider of assurance, tax and consulting services.

Florida Blue is the major private health care provider in the state. Be sure to check your insurance plan and coverage. Researching which doctors’ offices and medical care facilities are part of your in-network providers will help you avoid paying higher rates for out-of-network care. You can also shop the state’s healthcare marketplace at HealthCare.gov, where you may qualify for premium tax credits based on your income.

Let the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau be the first to welcome you to this vibrant place to live. Please consider this website a resource for tips on places to see, special events and things to do.