Interview with Whitecap SEO: Why We Love Living & Working in Miami
If you could choose to live and work anywhere, where would you choose? This wasn’t a question that most people were in a position to ask themselves until last year—but with the massive shift to remote work, it turns out that for many people, “anywhere” is Miami, Florida.
Why Miami Is the Next Hot Startup Hub
Over the last year, tech hubs like San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and New York City have experienced a mass exodus of tech workers, startup founders, and venture capitalists. These entrepreneurs are packing their bags and settling down in more affordable cities that offer a better quality of life—cities like Miami.
As a Miami-based digital marketing agency, we believe living and working in Miami is a no-brainer. A cosmopolitan city with amazing weather, world class restaurants and entertainment, and the best beaches in the nation? It doesn’t get any more appealing! We started here seven years ago, and are excited to watch the “Silicon Beach” grow.
Clearly, we aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Due in large part to the efforts of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and local grassroots organizations, Miami is now positioned to be the next hot tech market. In December, Mayor Suarez responded to a tweet suggesting that Silicon Valley be relocated to Miami with a now-iconic reply: “How can I help?” Investors, startup accelerators, and government officials have since joined together to make it happen.
Not the Next Silicon Valley...Something Better
The thing is, Miami is not Silicon Valley—and we like it that way. The Miami Tech Manifesto makes a point of noting that Miami will never be the “new Silicon Valley,” because our city is too unique and too vibrant to be boxed into that label. We could not agree more!
To show our support for the #MiamiTechMovement, we interviewed three of our team members to share what they love about living and working in Miami. Meet Michael Salvo, Founder; Christina Martin, Project Manager; and Abigail Bermudez, SEO Specialist.
What are your favorite things about living in Miami?
Michael: Living in Miami comes down to two key elements for me: 1) the weather, and 2) the 0% state income tax. I have lived up and down the East Coast, from Boston and New York to Philadelphia and Washington DC. I got tired of the winters in the Northeast, moved here from DC in 2014, and haven’t looked back. The weather, cost of living, and quality of life is much better here.
Christina: There is no place like Miami. It's lush and quirky and international. There's always something going on, and you can go from being in the heart of a metropolis to deep in nature within less than an hour.
Abby: I was born and raised in Miami (I'm Cuban-American, and Spanish is actually my first language). The weather is good, especially in the winter months. The beach is always 30 minutes away, or less. And the restaurants! There are so many different cultures in Miami, which has created a huge selection of amazing restaurants. Whatever you're craving, we probably have it and because of the party scene many places are open 24/7.
What makes Miami a great place to launch a startup / work remotely?
Michael: With the recent influx of entrepreneurs and startups to Miami, the talent pool is growing. And Miami is a uniquely great place to enjoy the lifestyle that comes with being an entrepreneur, like working from home. Here’s a tweet I posted recently that shows the view from my home office...I think that sums it up! I love living on the water. Right now I'm working with the windows open getting a warm sea breeze, which I would never attempt in February in the Northeast.
Christina: There are so many reasons why Miami is a great place to start a company, or to work remotely. One of the biggest reasons is that Miami is a city that has hustle. There are people from all over the world here, and the entrepreneurial spirit is strong - we are truly a hub for innovation, creativity, and tech.
Abby: We have a lot of people from all over, so there are good opportunities for networking and partnerships with other talented people. There is also a lot of tourism.
What sets Miami apart from other tech hubs like San Francisco or New York?
Michael: The cost-saving benefits for entrepreneurs is huge compared to the Northeast or the Bay Area. In addition to the 0% state income tax, you get more bang for your buck in terms of real estate.
Christina: Miami has been a tech hub for decades. We have hosted our own tech conferences like SxSE, WordCamp, and eMerge for years. But we are more than a tech hub; we are Miami. We're the gateway to LATAM, and with such a diverse environment, we bring a unique worldview to the industry. This is important because tech isn’t just about code, it's about the people who use it.
Abby: Mayor Suarez has been promoting Miami as the next big tech hot spot and many people are starting to move from New York and San Francisco. Florida also doesn't have a state income tax, which many people find appealing.
What is a unique quirk of living in Miami that people should know about?
Michael: Miami is a true international city with a rich culture and amazing food. Many people don’t know that we also have a robust art scene, and in my opinion, one of the most underrated nighttimes skylines in the country. When you see one of Miami’s pink sunsets, you won’t ever want to leave.
Christina: The world-famous cafecito, which fuels conversations, ideas, and so much more. Bragging about how our "winters" result in falling iguanas instead of falling snow. And you are never surprised when you see Maseratis or chickens on Bird Road.
Abby: The cafecito is a staple. You’re going to find that on the menu in most places, especially Cuban restaurants and bakeries. Along with that, people need to try the cafe con leche or cortadito, Guava pastelitos, and the very delicious and very popular croquetas. Also, there was a sculptor that lived here who made rooster statues that you can find all over Little Havana. If it's next to a business the rooster is either wearing the uniform or something to represent the business or local area.
Join the Whitecap SEO Team
Are you a technical SEO expert with experience in the ecommerce space? Are you up to date with the latest SEO trends and best practices, with a solid understanding of Google Analytics, search engine algorithms, performance marketing, and online customer acquisition?
We would love to speak with you! We are currently looking for a part-time Technical SEO Specialist to join our remote, Miami-based team. Learn more about the position and apply.
We’re experiencing a lot of growth and expansion, so keep an eye on our Careers Page for future opportunities at Whitecap SEO.