Young people want to leave Miami, but for Hispanics it is not so simple

Miami has become one of those cities young people want to leave. In fact, Miami ranked third in the whole of the U.S. Regarding intent to leave. More than half of its residents aged between 18 to 34 without children said they are “likely” or “very likely” to pack their bags. But for many young Hispanics, especially in multigenerational households, moving is complex because it involves disrupting a shared family economy.

Hispanics make up more than 70% of Miami-Dade County’s population, one of the largest concentrations in the country. Studies show that Latino households are more likely than others to be multigenerational and operate with shared family economies, a dynamic associated with so-called familismo, which can complicate moving. The study, conducted by the firm Gensler, indicates that the rising cost of living is leading many to rethink where to live. Eighty-three percent of young people said affordability was the main reason for moving, especially in places worst-hit, such as Miami-Dade.

The county has become one of the most expensive in the United States. The cost of living is about 20% higher than the national average and the average family home costs more than $500,000. More than half its residents have considered leaving for financial reasons, according to another survey, although older adults are far less willing to do so than their younger counterparts.

Data from the Pew Research Center shows that the number of Americans living in households consisting of two or more generations has quadrupled since the 1970s, especially among immigrants and Hispanic communities. Christian Torres, 23, who was born in Miami, says that even if he wanted to, he can’t leave the city because he needs to help his mother financially. The young man works as a butcher at Publix, a supermarket chain, but his salary barely covers his basic expenses. “It’s not enough to pay the rent, the car, the electricity, the water. I don’t have money to move forward. Living here in Miami is very expensive,” he says. When he finishes college, he would like to get a better-paying job in another state. “With something more stable I could move, start a family. It’s very difficult here,” he adds.

Jared Nordlund from the Latino civil rights organization Unidos US says the high cost of living and economic insecurity has hit working-class communities hard. “For many young Hispanics, especially from immigrant families, these pressures are compounded by the family dynamics” of multigenerational households, he explains. Adding to the pressure is Miami-Dade’s labor market, which relies heavily on service sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and retail, where low wages predominate.

Hernán, a 21-year-old Venezuelan, works as a bellboy in a hotel in the Brickell neighborhood. He arrived in the U.S. Five years ago and says he has thought about moving from Miami “many times,” but he doesn’t want to be too far away from his family. “In case they need me… Becoming independent is part of life, but that doesn’t mean you stop supporting your family,” he says. He is now considering a move to a nearby city like Weston, Pembroke Pines, or Fort Lauderdale, where the pace is slower. “That way I can stay close to my parents and help them if necessary, but without living in Miami,” he explains.

Studies suggest that more affordable cities tend to attract new residents. Erdianys Lopez, a 26-year-old Cuban, moved with her husband to Iowa last year. There they pay $950 a month for a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, while in Miami they paid $1,400 for half of a mobile home. They earn similar salaries in their new jobs and have managed to save up to start a family. However, moving consumed virtually all their savings and was only possible because Lopez’s husband got a job before he left.

Lauren Sánchez, a 23-year-old Cuban, faces a similar dilemma. She also works at a hotel, lives with her parents, and says the cost of living in Miami is overwhelming. She wants to study at university but does not qualify for in-state tuition after a law passed last year that eliminated that benefit for students with irregular immigration status. For her, moving is not a viable option.

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