Miami is building on success while confronting its challenges
Once again, a study calls out Miami as one of the worst places to live in the United States. This time, a financial website named 24/7 Wall Street created an index with eight categories that rank Miami at No. 42, losing last place in Florida to Gainesville at 48.
Seemingly, Miami gets a bum rap from lingering effects of the issues that plagued our city in the ’70s and ’80s. Crime was one point of criteria, and it has declined consistently year-over-year. The economy, if one looks at the number of new retail and commercial construction developments, seems to be booming — not to mention the growth of condominiums that are more than 50 percent sold before construction even breaks ground. Tourism, continues record-breaking trends; and leisure.
Really?
Miami a potential host for the 2022 World Cup; F1 racing is coming; a Major League Soccer team recently launched here; and we have miles and miles of ocean that rarely drops below 70 degrees.
The criteria of housing and infrastructure are issues we, indeed, do face, but also indicate just how in demand Miami is. Miami is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. We have a tremendous influx of new residents to our market every year. This is putting a burden on affordable housing and traffic congestion, two issues that the Chamber, its members, government leaders and partners are working on daily to solve.
On education, Miami has a high school graduation rate of more than 80 percent and a nationally sought-after superintendent. Our three major higher education institutions are each top-ranked in research, medical, legal, business and international schools.
Miami is called the “Magic City” for a reason — same reason Miami is making Amazon’s HQ2 shortlist, why so many entrepreneurial millennials are downtown, and the prestigious Art Basel chooses Miami as one of only three showcase communities in the world, along with Basel, Switzerland and Hong Kong.
We will always be in the spotlight, and as such, must expect some negative press. But be certain, Miami is truly a top place to live, work and play — and 24/7 Wall Street, we’re open for business.
Alfred Sanchez, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.