Curious what the tri world thinks. My wife has been offered two jobs, both offers came on the same day and have very similar benefits … one job is in Las Vegas and the other in Miami. We will be moving to one of these fair cities soon.
I’ve visited and am familiar with both cities. But, i am curious where the knowledgeable denizens of Slowtwitch would move, and why. I’m curious about tri related reasons as well as ‘real’ world reasons (ie quality of life, cultural offerings, climate etc).
I would choose Vegas for several reasons: Number one, I don’t like humidity. I’ve spent time in Dallas, TX and thought it was bad, but the locals told me “Houston’s worse–it’s closer to the water.” I’ve spent time in Buffalo, WY. 5000 feet, 110 degrees F and less than 3% humidity. I liked the open carry laws, but the lack of young females prevented me from staying. I fought wildland fires back in the late 80’s/early 90’s as well as having spent some time in Phoenix. I am a confirmed desert rat. Give me dry heat anyday. Vegas is like 6 hours to LA, about the same to San Francisco.
Miami… right by the ocean
Miami - Florida has over 80 triathlons each year - all within 4 hours of south Florida - everything from sprints to Ironmans. The running season is in the winter, so you can take some time off triathlons and run. You can swim in the ocean all year long. Vegas has what - 3-4 races each year and you would have to fly to any other race outside of Vegas!
There are too major things to think about that are not obvious. The first is humidity. Miami has too much and Vegas doesn’t have enough. My skin can not tolerate long periods of low humidity. Maybe I could adapt, but I never have.
The second is that Miami is a Spanish city. Dade county is majority Spanish speaking. I would have a hard time feeling at home there. You could move a bit north into Broward county to avoid that problem for the most part, and commute into Miami, if that approach would work for you.
All things considered, these are two good alternatives.
I have to say that I’m a little biased toward Miami because I spent the best years of my life in beautiful Coral Gables, nevertheless if you like living outdoors all year round, Miami Dade county is the place for you.
Think about what it’s like going for a run at 6am in January wearing just a tri suit, while the rest of the eastern seaboard is in the middle of a snowstorm; or what about getting ready to watch the Superbowl while having a barbecue in your backyard. Priceless!
Finally, unlike somebody else, I see Miami cultural diversity as a major plus rather than a nuisance.
I lived in Miami in the late 80s and thought it was the closest to living in a foreign country without leaving the US, lol. I enjoyed the cosmpolitan air of the city but I thought the crime rate was a little too high and my children were young at the time.
I worked with an attorney who lived in Coral Gables who had her house broken into while they slept and had her gold chain and purse snatched from her as she tried to put groceries in her house. When I first moved into my neighborhood, all young professional couples with young kids, they said did the previous owners tell you about what happened here? Uhh, no. Oh it was like a scene from Miami Vice, with the DEA and Metro Dade surrounding the house. It appears that the owners had rented the house to a woman who ended up being deported for trafficking cocaine.
Crime and drugs have ruined South Florida. It is lovely, I loved living near the beach. But with the humidity, it was a bad hair day everyday, lol…
Vegas is hot, but it’s a dry heat (I know live in Phoenix). It’s fast growing, in fact the influx of people has outpaced the housing, elevating the prices.
I can’t say I would ever want to spend more than a couple of days in Vegas. Great place to visit, but wouldn’t want to live there.
Although as an athlete/tourist I have to say this: it is the only city in the world where you can walk out the front door of your hotel and go on a run that takes you past the gaze of a sphinx, over the Brooklyn Bridge, past a spectacular water show, past a pirate battle, and through Paris – all within an hour.