Miami Beach

About Miami Beach

Miami Beach is one of Florida's most well-known resort cities, drawing thousands of tourists every year with its sandy beaches and vibrant culture. The city is located on a collection of barrier reef islands, separated from Miami by Biscayne Bay. Miami Beach is popularly known as the home of the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world, with hundreds of Art Deco buildings preserved in its Art Deco Historic District.

The History of Miami Beach

The land that is now Miami Beach was purchased by Henry and Charles Lum in 1870. The U.S. Life-Saving Service was the first to construct a building in the area, a small structure intended to provide life-saving shelter and necessities for potential shipwreck victims. In the 1880s, a pair of entrepreneurs planted a large coconut plantation. The plantation eventually failed and was replaced by extensive avocado tree groves, an effort led by agriculturist John S. Collins. After some time, the Collins family realized that the land had excellent potential as a vacation destination, especially as the city of Miami flourished across the bay.

In 1913, the first bridge from Miami to Miami Beach was built, providing the connection the city needed to start a major wave of residential development. The town of Miami Beach was incorporated in 1915 and then received official city status in 1917. During the 1920s, it continued to be a major tourist destination as a number of large hotels and resorts were constructed. Nationwide economic growth after World War II brought many new residents to Miami Beach, and it also became a popular destination for Cuban refugees in the second half of the 20th century. These population booms helped shape Miami Beach into the vibrant and diverse community that it's known as today.

Living in Miami Beach

Miami Beach thrives on tourism, and because of this there are a number of tourist areas and entertainment options. The city offers beautiful beaches, parks, hotels and attractions for families or individuals to enjoy. Even as a full-time resident, you'll have easy access to vacation-style experiences right in your own backyard.

Lincoln Road is a popular district in Miami Beach, famous for its world-class dining, shopping and art galleries. Rollerblading and bicycling along the east-west road is also a popular pastime in the area. You'll find a thriving arts and culture scene in the city, including the world-famous New World Symphony. Art Basel Miami Beach is one of the country's largest art shows, exhibiting a variety of artists throughout the Art Deco district.

Of course, Miami Beach is best known for its miles of sandy beaches, bordering both sides of the city. Because the area is very popular with tourists, some of the beaches can become fairly crowded. However, there are a number of smaller beaches that you can visit to avoid the crowds.

Miami Beach Schools

Schools in Miami Beach are part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The district operates several traditional schools in the area, but also provides the option of many different magnet campuses.

Resources for Moving to Miami Beach

As you prepare to move to Miami Beach, you can use the following resources to make the process as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The city of Miami Beach manages water and sewer services throughout the city. The city's main power provider is Florida Power & Light (FPL).
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash will be collected twice a week. Recycling is required by law, though you can choose to have your recyclables collected either by a private company or the city.
• Transportation: In Miami Beach, you can take advantage of the citywide free trolley system.

Miami Beach Housing

Because of its desirable beachfront location, Miami Beach is very expensive when it comes to housing. However, prices have been declining in recent years, which is good news if you're hoping to find something budget-friendly. The housing market has a range of options including single-family homes and condominiums, and there are also a variety of rental properties to consider.