How to live in Miami? And How much money do you need?
- ttamayo
- Feb 21, 2016
- 4 min read
Latin Americans immigrants who have decided to build a new life in the Sun Capital say that this city is the best of both worlds. The organization of Americans and the happiness of Latins make Miami one of the most charming cities in United States.
It is said that the Spanish Conquering Juan Ponce de León was the first foreigner to step on what is nowadays known as Miami (which in Indian means “big water”). Ponce de León reached the Florida Coasts by chance looking for the Fountain of Eternal Youth.
Currently, English, Spanish and Creole are the languages spoken by Miami Residents. The inhabitants do not coexist happily because the main ethnic groups such as: Whites, Hispanics, Afro-Americans and Haitians have not been able to integrate in a common concern, which has been the cause of racial and ethnic tensions.
However, Miami remains a shelter for many Latin Americans who land on its beaches, tired of insecurity of the Sub-Continent and looking for tranquility and with the possibility of maintaining relations with their countries.
But, how could you reside legally In Miami? If you have the intention of travelling to the US with your tourist visa (B1B2), stay and then legalize your migratory status. Well, forget it. The new anti-immigrant actions are severely punished with ban on entry into the Country.
According to Sandra Clavijo Bowman, a knowledgeable immigration lawyer, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors have an increased chance of obtaining a temporary or permanent visa.
H-1B Visa: This type of visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specially occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields such as in architecture, engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine.
System and electronic engineers are currently the most sought in US. If you are interested in this type of visa, look for an American company, you may do so on line, where there are many job exchanges or you could send your curriculum to any Colombian institution such as Fundacion William Clavijo which sends applications of Colombian professionals to several American
companies.
The approval of this visa may take 90 days and it is approved for a period of 3
or 6 years.
L1A Visa: This type of visa is available for companies that wish to expand operations into the United States by opening an affiliate, branch or subsidiary office. In order for an individual to qualify, they must have been employed by the foreign company that is related to the American Company for at least one continuous year in the past three years. These visas are approved for a period of 1 to 7 years.
So if you have a company and want to open a branch office in Miami you could
ask for this visa.
E1 Visa: Also known as treaty trader visa, allows foreign nationals of a treaty nation to enter into the U.S. and carry out substantial trade. The individual must be a national of the nation that has signed a treaty of commerce and navigation and must have expertise concerning in the commercial activity.
E2 Visa: It is issued to foreign nationals of a treaty nation to enter into the U.S for the purpose of developing and managing a business that they have or will invest in. the capital must be comprehensive to ensure a continuous commercial activity.
The E1 and E2 visas are approved for 1 to 5 years.
These visas benefit to the applicant, husband/wife and children bellow 21 years of age.
Other options for residing legally in the United Sates are related with family-sponsored which may take many years.
How much does living in Miami cost? Let us take the example of the Mejia Family, a young couple with a five- years-old child and a six- month-old baby.
Housing options: For renting, in a good place to live, you will find studios between $600 and $800, a one bedroom apartment between $800 and $1000 and a three bedroom apartment for a higher price.
For buying, this is a good time to buy real state in this country, since interest are low and with a 10% down payment you can have your property.
Prices change according to the place and the conditions of the property, a three bedroom apartment near the beach and in a good place could cost about $150.000.
Upon arriving in Miami contact a good Real State agency, the advantages of this are that they look for a place and can take you to see the different options without having to pay anything.
Education Options: Public schools: you do not pay books, enrolment or transportation, but only children of parents who reside legally in the country have access to this type of school.
Private School: Most people who arrive in Miami look for a private and catholic school. Private schools are expensive; the average monthly pay is between $250 to $300 and other expenses such as donations and raffles of $50.
Uniforms have an annual cost of $70, books $200 and $120 monthly per transportation.
To attend a private school is necessary to pay a membership action plan which costs between $3.000 and $5.000 and it could be paid in several payments.
Many private colleges make additional charges if you do not pick your son up on time.
Look for a bilingual school that can provide your children the opportunity of learning the language.
Shopping:
For this family of four monthly foods would cost approximately $500.
The prices of some daily foods are:
Gallon of whole milk $3
Gallon of orange juice $3
A dozen eggs $3
Bread $1.50
Cereals between $2 and $4
12 Soda cans $3
A 28 diaper bag for Carolina $6.39
Baby powdered milk between $7 and $11.
A gallon of regular gasoline costs $ 1.09.
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