“A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.” - Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
Those words are no less true today than they were when they were spoken more than two millenniums ago. This week, we are concluding our blog series on our three primary markets by taking a closer look at the things that make South Florida (OK, we know it’s a region, not a city, but bear with us) a great place to live, work, and play. We have previously discussed the things that we love about both Orlando and Charlotte, and we invite you to revisit those articles. We hope you will enjoy this light-hearted discussion, and we welcome your commentary at the conclusion of the article.
Cultural diversity abounds
South Florida is one of the most culturally diverse areas in our great nation. Influenced heavily by the broad representation of foreigners that have made South Florida their home, the area has become a virtual melting pot of beliefs, customs, and culinary styles. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Hispanic ethnicities comprise around 48% of the region’s population, including significant communities (i.e. 30,000+ residents) that hail from Puerto Rico, Columbia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Honduras, Venezuela, and of course, Cuba. Residents of African descent comprise another 20% of the total, including major concentrations of Haitian and Jamaican natives.
One byproduct of such ethnic diversity is a tremendous sense of worldly community that sets South Florida apart from other areas. It is entirely possible for one to consume within a single day a simple Cuban-inspired breakfast of pan con mantequilla y café con leche, followed by a traditional spread of Peruvian tiraditos and ceviches for lunch, and then concluding with a French-inspired nuevo-American dinner of duck confit with waffles. There are places, believe it or not, where you can have all three, and any number of other ethnic variations, without leaving the same table. That, in a nutshell, presents the beauty of South Florida.
The benefits of diversity extend well beyond the kitchen, however. Gifted with such a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, the South Florida business community is comprised of leaders from all walks of life, serving markets more diverse than most. The broad employee base, coupled with temperate weather, an advantageous tax system, and ease of access are some of the attributes that attract companies to the area. Five South Florida Companies made the 2011 Fortune 500 list, including: World Fuel Services, NextEra Energy (FP&L), Auto Nation, Office Depot, and Ryder Systems. According to a 2009 PriceWaterhouseCoopers study, Miami’s global GDP ranks 20th amongst major cities and 11th in the U.S.
Winter Wonderland
South Florida boasts one of the most desirous climates in the entire country. With January high temperatures averaging well into the 70’s, it is no wonder why so many vacationers make the South Florida beaches their destination of choice. Travelers from all over the globe make the trek each year to Florida’s Treasure Coast (Sebastian Inlet to the north and Jupiter to the south) to walk along the pristine beachfront state parks and wildlife preserves. Others still travel further south to relax at the high-end resorts that line the beaches from West Palm to Miami.
Watersports such as fishing, boasting, diving, skiing, and kiteboarding are all commonplace along the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Oceanfront in South Florida. Additionally, the Everglades that span the southernmost part of the state are home to some of the nation’s most unique landscapes and ecosystems, including sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests.
The recreational options are not limited to the beaches and parks, however. South Florida plays host to a number of storied professional and collegiate sporting institutions. The Miami Dolphins (1972, 1973), Miami Heat (2006), Florida Marlins (1997, 2003), and Miami Hurricanes (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001) have all won the top championship awarded by their respective sporting leagues at least once. The American Airlines Arena, Sun Life Stadium, and Miami Ballpark (under construction) are all amongst the very best venues in their sports.
What do YOU like about South Florida?
South Florida is an exceptional place to live, work, and play. Recognizing the opportunities within the region, Kavaliro has stationed a satellite office in Jupiter, about 80 miles north of Miami. We want to hear what YOU have to say about South Florida. What is it that draws you back here for work or vacation? Please join the conversation by using the comment tools below.