South Florida, especially Miami, is growing fast and attracting many people and companies from across the country. Real estate leaders say the city is now more diverse, smarter, and open for business than ever before.
John Paul Perez, the CEO and president of the Related Group, said, “A change for the greater has made the city a much more diverse intellectual city.” He believes this growth will not stop. “It’s been discovered now,” he said, “and when things get discovered, they just continue to grow and do better.”
Miami is becoming a major hub, not just for tourism, but also for business. Nelson Stabil, one of the founders and principal at Integra Investments, also leads the Builders Association of South Florida. He said that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the region was already on the map. But after the pandemic, things changed quickly.
“We benefited a lot from the state’s approach,” Stabil said. “It was more pro-business and more open than other markets. That helped us recover faster, and we’ve kept that momentum.”
One of the big reasons people are moving to South Florida is the lifestyle. “New York is a great city,” Stabil said. “But it’s not for everyone. It’s noisy. There’s little green space. The quality of life is tough.”
In contrast, Miami offers sun, water, beaches, and a warm climate all year long. “To do business here, it’s a very welcoming state,” Stabil added. “Every city we work in wants new business. They offer help and support. That’s very different from where many people are moving from.”
This business-friendly culture is drawing in new companies and people. And while this is helping the region grow, it also comes with new problems.
“The cost of living has gone up,” Stabil admitted. “We now have to build more housing. That way, there’s more choice, and rent prices can stay at levels people can afford.”
Still, both leaders are excited about what’s next. Perez called Miami the “Wall Street of the South.” He said people are coming to visit and see what’s happening. “They all see the change. They see how important this city has become.”
Stabil agreed. “We’re very bullish on Florida,” he said. “We strongly believe the state will continue to benefit from this big move of people and business.”
Local leaders also play a key role. Many mayors and city officials across South Florida support new development. They want to grow their cities and offer better homes and jobs for their people. This makes South Florida stand out from other parts of the country.
As more people move south, experts say the region must focus on smart growth. That means building homes that people can afford, keeping traffic under control, and protecting the area’s beaches and parks.
But even with the challenges, Miami’s future looks bright. The city is changing fast. More jobs, better housing, and a strong business community are all signs that the region is growing in the right way.
As Perez put it, “We feel strongly that this will continue. Miami has been discovered, and there’s no going back.”
With more sun, more business, and more people, South Florida is quickly becoming one of the most exciting places in the country to live and work.