Miami is Overrated…STILL

By: Shea Harris

So a few weeks ago I spoke about how Miami is overrated. I know I said I’d say something positive soon, but I thought of a few more things 😂! Instead of wasting time, let’s jump right into it.

1. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVERYONE

It’s pretty difficult to see everyone in Miami. If you plan a trip down here and hit me up to hang out, good luck! I swear every time someone I know comes into town, its impossible to get to them. Everyone is in their own zone when they hit the streets of Miami. Plus, Miami is so spread out it makes meet ups even more stressful. For example: Miami isn’t really Miami. You have: North Miami Beach, North Miami, Hialeah, Opa Locka, Overtown, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores, the list goes one! And baby if you’re staying in South Beach, that’s a whole journey right there.

2. THE HEAT 

I promise you it’s only about 2 weeks during the year where the temperature may drop to a smooth 60 degrees. Every time I leave my apartment, I have to bring a bottle of water with me. The heat down here is a bit unbearable at times. Everyone is always like Shea it’s not that hot!  Ummm sweety, I’m not really an outside person and if that’s true, I wouldn’t begin sweating as soon as I step outside of my apartment door! Walking from my apartment door to the car feels like I’m in the desert at times. I’ll definitely be looking into a portable fan with a spray bottle attached (call me extra, I don’t care).

3. MIAMI DADE TRANSIT (MDT)

Miami Dade Transit (MDT) and I are finally divorcing this Friday. These folks show NO mercy! For some reason when you pay for a monthly pass, it doesn’t start until the first of the month and ends on the last day of the month. No you can’t buy it on the 15^th of the month and have it expire on the 15^th of the next month. For some reason MDT doesn’t want to hire software business analyst to make this possible. The trains don’t come every 15 minutes (tri-rail). If you miss your train, you have to wait 30 to 45 minutes for the next one. I can’t wait until Monday so I can start back driving around the city. Let’s just say in one day I ran after the train and got shut in the doors (literally) because I didn’t want to wait 45 minutes for the next one.

4. ROAD RAGE

How ironic that I’m divorcing MDT, but headed back into the crappy storm. I don’t know who taught these people how to drive, but they need to hit the delete button and start over. The driving down here is almost comical and its pretty amazing at times. For example: if there is a line of cars in front of me, don’t honk the horn at me. More than likely, I’m not moving forward because there’s no place for me to go. Car manufacturers don’t add horns in vehicles so you can harass others on the road. They also don’t make direction indicators for decorations. There’s a reason why you’re supposed to use turning signals when you’re about to turn.

One of these days I’ll make a pro list. I promise I will haha! 😉

 

Miami is OVERRATED

By: Shea Harris

Last year, around this time, I informed my family and friends that I’d be moving to Miami, FL. There were tears, laughter and excitement from several parties, but when it came to my emotions I was a bit lost. I knew it would be a dramatic change, but I didn’t really have any feelings about moving. Everyone around me was speaking about the palm trees, South Beach, the beautiful weather, but not me. I was thinking about work and making new friends. I didn’t have that great of an experience networking in Durham, NC so I had to redeem myself.

I moved to Miami with an open mind and didn’t really have much to go off of. I’d only been to Miami once to get on a cruise ship. I heard Miami was simply amazing and paradise, but those thoughts didn’t run through my head. It’s been almost a year since I’ve moved here and baby this place is overrated. It’s pretty much blazing hot year round, I rarely hit up the beach and the people are interesting to say the least. I kind of stay away from the touristy areas because, well I’m not here for the glitz and glamour.

I’m going to dish out 5 cons about living in Miami

(Don’t worry, a pros list will soon come)

1. EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY.

So here I was moving to Miami thinking I was going to meet a crap ton of people and network my behind off. Let’s just say it didn’t necessarily work out like that. Each time I went out to make a connection, I met an individual who knew one of my peers. Everyone down here attended Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Miami or they’re in a sorority or fraternity. Sweetie let’s face it, Miami is small. It’s difficult to meet a new person because you all will be connected some way some how.

2. PEOPLE DON’T REALLY SUPPORT YOU LIKE THEY SAY THEY WILL.

This sounds pretty harsh, but let’s just keep it real. Everyone is trying to have a come up and no one is really worried about you. I try to support people as much as I can but its coming to an end now. It’s so frustrating giving your time, energy and effort into others and their ventures but they don’t do the same for you. This place is all about being seen and not heard. As long as you post it on social media…it happened and you’re poppin’.

3. EVERYBODY IS A CREATIVE.

When I first started creating, I was a bit nervous about beginning because EVERYONE is doing it down here. It’s difficult for people to notice you when so many around you do the same thing. Instead of being a blogger that talks about everything, I narrowed my topics down to self care, life in Miami and young professionals. To gain more exposure, I made sure I was specific with my audience in order to have genuine readers who were interested. Even though I’ve narrowed down my topics, I still don’t receive the support I expect. It’s a dog eat dog world out here in the 305.

4. TRAFFIC IS TRASH.

9 times out of 10, there’s always traffic. You can invest in a sun pass, take back roads, take the main highway, you’re probably going to be in traffic. The only way to avoid it is by staying in the house. Okay I’m exaggerating a bit, but don’t get upset traveling these Miami roads. If you are easily annoyed and have road rage, Miami will bring out the worst in you. Prior to moving here, I was working on my patience and I must say, it’s gone out of the window. There’s always accidents and some type of hold up on the road holding you back from getting to your destination.

5. RENT IS A JOKE.

On the first of every month I look at my bank account like:

Paying over $1100 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom in Miami is annoying. Just thinking about how much money I could still have if I didn’t need a place to lay my head, take a shower, store my items, etc. is frustrating. I knew I would be paying an arm and a leg for rent, but I didn’t know I would be giving up two arms and two legs! Renting an apartment down here is comical to say the least and nothing is included. Water, electricity, trash, washing machine, dryer, all of that is separate!

I’m sure this was hard to read for a few Miami natives, but there’s a reason why I named this blog Shea What’s Real 😉. What are some of the cons you deal with in your city? I’d love to hear them!