M iami-Dade County is an beautiful, eclectic and vibrant community in Southern Florida. Miami has a reputation as a bustling international city and is considered a cultural melting pot due to its close proximity to Latin America and the Carribean. Among Miamians are Cubans, Nicaraguans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans, Argentinians, Bahamians, Ecuadorians, Brazilians, Dominicans, Haitians, Jamaicans, and Mexicans. Miami-Dade County has over 2.3 million residents.

Tourism is a key component to the local industry: the pristine beaches and year round sunshine draw 13 million visitors from across the country each year. The Art Deco nightclub district in South Beach is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Miami-Dade County serves as the headquarters of Latin American operations for many multinational corporations, including American Airlines, Cisco, Disney, Exxon, FedEx, Microsoft, and Sony. Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami are among the nation's busiest ports of entry, especially for cargo from South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, downtown Miami has the largest concentration of international banks in the United States. The median income for a household in the county is $35,966, and the median income for a family is $55,232.

Miami is the largest city located within Miami-Dade County and is the county seat. The city is located next to the Miami River, between the Florida Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. Miami knows the hurried pace of big business, the relaxed flow of the sea, the pulsating beat of diversity, and the massive influx of culture. Here a resident can experience the world without ever leaving the city. This sea front community is a gateway for many into the world of finance, pleasure, community, and opportunity. There are 376,815 people, 134,198 households, and 83,336 families residing in the city.

Miami has several neighborhoods that showcase their unique cultural traditions. Little Havana, home of the popular Calle Ocho festival, is blossoming with authentic Hispanic food and lifestyle. Little Haiti is a bustling area filled with spicy Creole traditions. Overtown, home of the Lyric Theater and the Overtown Historic Village, is a vibrant African American community. Liberty City is colored with murals representing community pride of its African American population. The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center here houses a black theater, artistic galleries and studios.

Miami artfully combines the past and the future in its stunning architecture. The Freedom Tower, a well-known landmark on Biscayne Boulevard, is the city's first skyscraper. The tower has offices for many prominent businesses, including the Miami News. In the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, residents and visitors will find a Mediterranean piazza. Here are the biggest library in the Southeast region, the Miami Art Museum, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Sports venues include suburban Pro Player Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins professional football team and the Florida Marlins professional baseball team; American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat professional basketball team; and the Orange Bowl stadium in Little Havana, home of the University of Miami football team and the Orange Bowl football game played every New Year's holiday. The Florida Panthers professional hockey team plays at the Office Depot Center in nearby Sunrise, Florida.

There are over 80 cities, towns, villages and unincorporated communities within Miami-Dade County. Some of the better known ones include: Coconut Grove, Corral Gables, Homestead, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, Perrine and Cutler Ridge. Coconut Grove is an artist's haven with an eclectic mix of rich history, art, fashion, and culture. Corral Gables is a historic and cultural hot spot in the Greater Miami area. The Mediterranean style buildings, Venetian Pool, sculptured fountains, and decorated plazas add to the distinctive charm of the area. About thirty minutes south of Miami is a city called Homestead that hosts over 24,000 people in its immediate area. Many industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and other businesses are developed within the local Park of Commerce, which sits on about 280 acres. Affluent professionals flock to the popular residential areas of Perrine and Cutler Ridge. Houses in the million-dollar range are common here. New residents can find single-family housing, condominiums, and townhouses for as low as $186,000. This area has become one of the fastest growing in the entire county.

Often known as a playground to the stars, Miami Beach attracts the Who's Who and those looking for a great time. Miami Beach is a series of islands about three miles away from downtown. The sandy beaches draw in those who love to swim, surf, and play among the waves. Models are plentiful here and are often seen involved in a photo shoot in this area. This area has developed into a hot spot for TV, film, and movies. Many restaurants are owned by stars, who bring a unique flavor to the area. Besides the typical international tastes, many eateries serve up diverse mixtures of sushi, California cuisine, crepes, Cuban, Argentinean, and other foods never before merged into the same menu selection.

Families can entertain themselves at many nearby attractions within the county. The Parrot Jungle and Gardens and Monkey Jungle allow residents to interact with native wildlife. The Fairchild Tropical Gardens is an 83-acre paradise filled with tropical flowers and fauna. One of the world's great zoos is right here in Miami-Dade County. Metrozoo houses more than 900 wild animals in a cageless setting that closely approximates the animals' natural habitats and gives the visitor the feeling of embarking on an international safari. With nearly 300 developed acres on a 740-acre parcel of land, Metrozoo is the only zoo in the continental United States located in a subtropical climate. This enables the Zoo to showcase animals that cannot easily be exhibited in colder climates.

The Miami-Dade County school district is the fourth largest school district in the country. 338,417 students are provided with an outstanding education environment. 19,120 teachers, 12,700 volunteers, and 2,501 business partners combine their energies to ensure that students have unique opportunities to learn, grow and become successful contributing members within the blossoming world economy. Colleges and universities in the area include the University of Miami, Florida International University, Barry University, St. Thomas University, and Florida Memorial College. Miami-Dade Community College, one of the nation's largest two-year colleges, has six campuses in the region.

Miami-Dade County is an incredible and exciting place to live, work, retire or raise a family. If you are considering moving to the area, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!