Many people are drawn to Miami by the promise of warm weather, beaches, a multinational population, and a city that’s active all day and all night. Maybe you’re planning to work odd jobs as you figure out your life plans or go to school. Or maybe you’re relocating for work and plan to settle in the city with your partner and kids. No matter what your reason for moving to Miami, FL is, this vibrant city will offer you a rich and exciting lifestyle. To help you plan your move to Miami, we’ve got the following tips to make your move to Miami go smoothly.
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1. Avoid Moving to Miami in the Summer Months
If you can, avoid moving to Miami in the summer months. Particularly in July and August as summer in Miami is hot and humid. You wouldn’t want to carry heavy boxes or run multiple last-minute errands on a sweltering, sticky day. Thunderstorms are also more common in the summer months. Once you’re a resident, you’ll learn how to immediately take shelter during one of these storms, which usually pass quickly. But if you’re moving in, you could get stuck outside with your belongings during a heavy downpour.
From June to November, Miami experiences its hurricane season, which results in more rain and, in some years, a direct hit from a hurricane. If you’re flexible as to when you can move, choose winter or spring. The weather tends to be drier and it won’t be as hot.
Depending on which neighborhood you’re moving to, try not to schedule your Miami moving day to coincide with one of its popular festivals. The Art Basel Festival has events in Miami Beach, and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in May draws large crowds, takes up the already limited amount of parking, and makes traffic even more congested.
2. Study City Traffic Patterns in Advance
There are lots of pros and cons to moving to Miami with congested traffic being one of Miami’s least attractive features. Whether you’re on one of the major freeways or a smaller street in the city grid, you’ll frequently experience bumper-to-bumper traffic.
As you’re figuring out how you’ll move your belongings to Miami, ask yourself if you’d be comfortable driving under stressful conditions. If you’re renting a moving truck or a large van that you’re not accustomed to driving, plan on asking a local about a slow traffic day for your moving day.
To make your driving experience less difficult, study the city’s traffic patterns in advance to know which roads to avoid and when. In general, the early morning hours and the late afternoon and early evening hours are when the roads are clogged with commuters. On the I-95, southbound traffic is worse during the morning rush hour, and northbound traffic is at its most congested during the evening commute. On the US-1, the pattern reverses; northbound, the traffic is worse in the morning, and the southbound traffic is worse during the evening rush hour. The Palmetto Expressway seems to be congested day and night. One way to assess traffic and find out about closed lanes and construction is to get live reports from sites such as 1035thebeat.iheart.com.
Even if the freeways can get frustrating, they’re still preferable to taking the city’s surface streets, especially if you’re driving for more than a few miles. The surface streets can also get congested during rush hour; furthermore, the traffic lights will slow you down.
3. Find Available Car Parking in Advance
You’ve made it to your new home, and now you need a place to park your car. Assuming you don’t have your driveway, what are some of the options?
Metered parking is available on the street. You can pay with coins or with a special electronic card purchased from parking authorities. Once you’re a resident, you can get a parking decal to display in your car if you need to park on the street daily. In some places, you may be able to park for free after a certain hour in the evening, but you’ll need to carefully read the signs on a given street to be sure that you can do this. If you park illegally or fail to pay the meter, you may get fined or have your car towed. Have someone stay with the car if you can’t find legal parking for it; that way, whoever is with the car can quickly move it if necessary.
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Parking garages are also an option in Miami, particularly if you need a place for your car overnight. Garages and lots maintained by the municipality you’re moving to may give you a safer and cleaner space for your car than parking on the street. To find out where these city-run lots are located, visit the relevant websites. For instance, parking authorities for the City of Miami have set up a locator on their website that shows various parking space options. The City of Miami Beach offers a similar locator for parking garages and lots.
Another great parking option is a vehicle storage unit. You can utilize a CubeSmart vehicle storage unit for parking RV’s, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, and other vehicles in addition to cars. Browse our Miami storage locations for vehicle storage here.
4. Hire a Reliable Mover
If you decide to transport your goods, visit Penske Truck Rentals for a variety of affordable truck rental locations around Miami.
You can also use professional movers in Miami. Be sure to carefully review the way they’ll charge you. In addition, check for any hidden fees. These can cover fuel costs and the use of equipment, which includes dollies and blankets for padding your furniture and other belongings.
5. Check Local Garbage Disposal Options
As you’re moving into Miami, you’ll probably need to dispose of boxes, bags, wrappings, and general garbage. Maybe you’ll want to get rid of some belongings that sustained irreparable damage during your move. You may be tempted to place these items on the curb by your home. Before you do this, visit the relevant website for your municipality to make sure you’re following all garbage disposal regulations. For instance, the City of Miami has a site that answers questions about where to leave your garbage and when to expect pick-ups. For any items you want to keep but can’t seem to find the right place in your new home, CubeSmart has plenty of storage availability in the Miami area.
6. Explore Neighborhood Restaurants
Finding good restaurants in your neighborhood is important when you’re moving in. Usually, people don’t have the energy to cook, or they haven’t unpacked everything they’ll need to whip up a meal on their own. Eating out is also an opportunity to treat your friends to a meal if they’ve helped you move.
Throughout Miami, you’ll find restaurants drawing on various Caribbean and Latin American culinary traditions, especially dishes and flavors popular in Cuba. Because Miami is a cosmopolitan city, it also has no shortage of restaurants that feature other cuisines from around the world. You’ll have your pick from among high-end restaurants serving steak and seafood to casual burger joints. To start your search for a restaurant, check out this comprehensive list.
7. Take Care of Odds and Ends
When you move, you may find yourself needing various supplies and odds and ends. You can head to any nearby CubeSmart facility in the Miami area for items like tape, boxes, markers, and other moving supplies. If you need to assemble furniture or make minor repairs to your new home, try a local Home Depot.
8. Take the Stress from Moving
With a little initiative and planning, your move to Miami can be a little less stressful. Take the smallest details into account, and make backup plans for driving, parking, and other aspects of your moving day. When you’re done moving in, be sure to celebrate by getting better acquainted with your new city.
From its lively culture, superb nightlife, and incredible food scene, Miami is a great place to live. Visit a museum, go to the beach, have a picnic in a park, or spend the early morning hours dancing at a nightclub. Make the most of your new life in Miami.
Have any questions about moving or storage in Miami?
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Need more tips and tricks for your move to Miami? Check out our other local articles here:
Moving to Miami: 8 Tips From a Local
The 9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Miami
