Miami Outdoors and Recreational Opportunities

Over 60 miles of beaches await you along the Atlantic Recreational opportunities in the outdoors are one of the most important assets of Miami and its surrounding areas. And don't forget that the Everglades are only an hour away. The options here are incredible.
Recreational Opportunities:

•  6 Marinas
•  37 Parks,
•  43 Golf Courses
•  16 Campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks
•  6 Beach parks
• 590 public Tennis Courts
• 24 Boat Ramps http://www.inshore.com/br-dade.html#Dade%20County
•  60 plus miles plus of beaches

To see a complete list of parks and recreational opportunities see the sites below
http://www.floridastateparks.org/FindaParkRegion.cfm?Dist=Southeast

Things to do outdoors:

• Fishing-saltwater, freshwater-Ocean, lakes and the Everglades
• Boating-Ocean or Bay
• Diving
• Hiking
• Tennis
• Bike riding
• Birding
• Photography and Wildlife watching
• Kayaking—canoes-there are good rental locations and lots of places to launch.
• Air boating into the Everglades

Other places to visit.

• • Art Deco District
• • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area
• • Biltmore Hotel
• • Biscayne National Park
• • Coral Castle
• • Domino Park
• • Everglades National Park
• • Fairchild Tropical Garden
• • Flamingo Gardens
• • Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts
• • Jai Alai
• • Lion Country Safari
• • Lowe Art Museum
• • Miami Art Museum
• • Miami Metrozoo
• • Miami Seaquarium
• • Monkey Jungle
• • Museum of Contemporary Art
• • Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium
• • Parrot Jungle Island
• • Jewish Museum of Florida
• • Venetian Pool
• • Villa Vizcaya
• • Wolfsonian - A Museum of Modern Art and Design

Pro Sports

• MLB Florida Marlins
• 2269 Dan Marino Blvd, Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 · 305-626-7400
• Miami Dolphins
• 2269 Dan Marino Blvd, Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 · 305-620-2578
• Miami Heat
• 601 Biscayne Blvd, American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL 33132-1801 · 786-777-432

For more recreational opportunities check out-http://miami.travelape.com/recreation/all.html

In conclusion, Miami and Dade county have everything you could want in recreational participant and spectator sports.

Starting a Business in Miami and Dade County

Miami and Dade County is an area rich with natural resources and welcomes all business, from small entrepreneurs to International companies. Due to its strategic location, it is acknowledged as the gateway to the Caribbean, Central and South America. In addition to that, because of its World class seaport and airport facilities, Miami is the major international trading hub of the Americas.

With over two million residents, the region is seeing tremendous growth both in housing and the financial and service sectors. Miami and its incorporated areas offer incredible opportunities and a great lifestyle.So whether you’re considering relocating a company or starting a business from scratch, Miami wants your business.To consider:
Employees:
Over 960,000 in the greater Miami area.
The market, Per 2003 census bureau

• Total Population Dade county  2.341,157
• Miami population 400,000 plus
• Median Age 37    
• Median Household Income $40,597 

Business Assistance:
OCED's Office Location: 140 W Flagler St., Ste. 1000 Miami, FL 33130
P: 305 375-3422
fax: 305 375-3428

Florida Tax AdvantagesFlorida has a variety of advantages that make it a profitable site for nearly every type of business.  Progressive legislation continues to ensure that Florida will remain a magnet for new and expanding business.Some of the more significant advantages to living and establishing businesses in Florida, with respect to taxes are:

• • No state income tax
  • No corporate income tax on sub-chapter S corporations
  • First $5000 of taxable income apportioned to Florida is exempt
  • No state property tax on inventory or equipment
  • No business inventory tax
  • No corporate franchise tax on capital stock
  • No corporate tax on limited partnerships, individuals, Estates and private trusts
  • No collected or assessed state property tax
  • No sales tax on "boiler fuels" used at a fixed Florida location in an industrial manufacturing, processing or compounding process
  • No sales and use tax on goods manufactured or produced in Florida for resale or export outside Florida
  • Corporation accounts receivable (one third) exempt from intangible property tax
  • Exemption of employee stock options from employer
  • No property tax on goods-in-transit for up to 180 days
  • While these are in themselves incentives, the following are additional incentives offered by the State and local government working together to provide you with an environment conducive to your success.
    

    • Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (real and personal property) is offered by the local government and is based on the financial impact projected on the County (number of employees, capital expenditure, etc.).

    Sales and Use Tax Exemption

  
  
  Silicon technology-based industry transactions involving manufacturing or research equipment  
  Purchases of machinery and equipment used by a new or expanding Florida business to manufacture, produce or process tangible personal property for sale  
  Labor, parts and materials used in repair of and incorporated into machinery and equipment that qualify for sales tax exemption upon purchase (phased in over four years, 25% exempt on July 1, 1999)  
  Electricity used in the manufacturing process (phased in over five years, 80% exempt on July 1, 1999)  
  Aircraft parts, modification, maintenance and repair, sale or lease of qualified aircraft 
  Commercial space activity - launch vehicles, payloads and fuel, machinery and equipment for production of items used exclusively at Spaceport Florida  
  Labor component of research and development expenditures---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Summary of Florida's Tax Incentive

  Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund ProgramsThis program provides an inducement for target industry to locate new facilities in Florida or to expand existing facilities in Florida.  The program provides tax refunds of $3,000 per new job created.  The incentive is increased to $6,000 per job if the company locates in a rural county or an Enterprise Zone.  Higher awards are available to companies paying very high wages.  To qualify for the “QTI” program, a company must create at least 10 new jobs (or a 10% increase for expanding Florida companies), pay an average of at least 115% of area wages, have a significant positive impact on the community and have local support. 
  Quick Response Training ProgramThe Quick Response Training Program provides grant funding for customized training to new or expanding businesses.  The program is flexible and structured to respond quickly to meet business training objectives.  A local training provider – community college, area technical center or university – is selected and available to assist in the application process and program development or delivery.  If the business has a training program in place, a state training provider will supervise and manage the training program and serve as the fiscal agent for the grant funds.  Reimbursable textbooks/manuals, materials/supplies and training equipment. 
  Economic Development Transportation FundThis grant program provides up to $2 million to local governments for the construction or improvement of transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate new or expanding industry. 
  Expedited Permitting AssistanceState and local permit streamlining procedures are available to assist businesses in obtaining necessary permits and approvals in a quick, efficient and predictable manner. 
  Specialized IncentivesYour project may qualify for opportunities such as urban or rural tax credits, and incentives for brownsfields and enterprise zones.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Local Property Tax IncentiveNew and expanding businesses can be granted an exemption from property taxes on improvements to real property and for tangible personal property.  In order for a company to be eligible for this incentive, it must first meet the definitions of a new or expanding business as defined below: 
  
  
  New Business: A manufacturer which establishes ten or more full-time jobs.
  A business with more than 50% of its sales outside the State of Florida which establishes 25 or more jobs.
  Office space of a new Florida corporation housing 50 or more full-time employees of the corporation.The above are applicable if the business is on a site clearly separate from any other facility owned by the same business.   
  Any business located in a slum or blighted area as defined by Section 163.355, Florida Statutes.
  Expanding Business:
  
  • A manufacturer that adds a minimum of ten new employees and increases employment by 10% or increases productive output by a minimum of 10%. 
  • A business with more than 50% of its sales outside the State that adds a minimum of 25 new employees and increases employment by 10% or increases productive output by a minimum of 10%. 
  • The expansion must be on the same or a co-located site of the business’ current operations.  
  • If a business meets one of the above definitions as a new or expanding business, it may then file an application for the Economic Development Property Tax Exemption with the local County Commissioners or the appropriate municipality or both.  After the city or county commission receives this application, it must submit the application to the county property appraiser for review.  After the property appraiser makes the report as to the fiscal impact of granting the exemption, the county or city commission shall then adopt an ordinance in the usual manner-granting the exemption.  
  • A business cannot receive exemption from school taxes or water management district taxes.  Also, a business must pay taxes that were approved by the voters of a city or county to pay for bond issues and other special tax levies authorized by the voters of a city or county.  
  • The exemption can only be for the improvements to the real property and for tangible personal property.  The land on which the new or expanding business is to be located will still be taxed. 
  • The State offers programs such as the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program (tax refund), a Sales Tax Exemption on Electricity and Steam (exemption), a High Impact Performance Incentive (grant) and more.
  Tax Information: State
  
  • Corporate Income Tax 5.5%
  • Personal Income Tax 0.0%
  • Retail Sales Tax 6.0%
  • Intangible Tax (per $1,000) $1 - $1.50
  • Groceries and medicine exempt from retail sales tax
  Small Business AssistanceBelow are nine resources proven helpful to start up and maintain a succesful small business!
  
  • Small Business Administration - http://www.sba.gov 
  • Small Business Development Center -http://www.fausbdc.com 
  • US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Center -http://www.uschamber.com/sb 
  • (The US Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Center is a one-stop shop for small businesses, containing everything from practical business advice to the latest small business news from Washington, D.C.) 
  • Florida Small Business -  http://www.floridasmallbusiness.com 
  • Enterprise Florida - http://www.eflorida.com 
  • The Florida Venture Forum - http://www.flvencap.org 
  • Odeon Group (Small Business Administration Intermediary) - 305 681-9600 
  • Micro Business USA - 305 438-1407 
  • First Florida Capital - (888) 320-5504

  For more specifics re Commercial agents go to the Real Estate section links to the left.

If you have a dream follow it, Remember making a decision to do nothing and stay where you are is still a decision.

Miami Education-Schools

Miami and Dade County Education
Miami and Dade County Florida have some of the best schools in the country.
As of fall 2004, there are more than 365,000 students.

Miami school specifics:

208 Elementary Schools
51 Middle Schools
46 High Schools
26 Adult schools
43 other schools
50 plus trade schools
Schools by classification , names and addresses:

http://www.floridasmart.com/local/counties/miami-dade/education_public.htm

Statistics  FCAT?
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/fl/district_profile/13/

Higher Education-Colleges and trade Schools.
There are 50 in all, teaching everything from Law, Health care to Business.
A few Listings:

Florida International University
3000 NE 151st Street
North Miami, FL 33181
305-919-5700
One of the top 25 comprehensive universities in the United States, FIU is the largest public university in South Florida and part of the state university system.
Nova Southeastern University
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
1750 NE 167th Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
800-986-3223
Located in the heart of North Miami Beach, Nova Southeastern University Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services offers graduate education and professional development programs for educators and human services professionals in flexible formats via distance education.
Union Institute & University
College of Undergraduate Studies
Florida Academic Center
16853 NE 2nd Avenue
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
305-653-7141
A private university offering individualized degree programs, flexible scheduling, accelerated degree completion, and rigorous academic standards
University of Miami
P.O. Box 248025, Coral Gables, 33124
305-284-2211
With more than 14,180 students, this four-year private university is the largest private university in the southeastern United States.
St. Thomas University
16400 NW 32nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33054
305-625-6000
This four-year private Catholic university offers students a liberal arts education.
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314
954-262-7300
The largest independent university in Florida, Nova Southeastern offers over 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Barry University
11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
305-899-3000
Offering more than 50 undergraduate degrees, 35 graduate degrees, and several doctoral programs, Barry University is a four year independent university which currently serves 7,000.
Miami-Dade Community College
11380 NW 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33167
305-237-1000
This is the largest campus of one of the nation's largest and most extensive community colleges, serving over 40,000 students.
Johnson & Wales University
1701 NE 127 Street, North Miami, FL 33181
305-892-7000
The Florida campus offers two and four year degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts, as well as Business & Hospitality degree programs.
Broward Community College
7200 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
954-201-8835
Provides higher education, technical, and occupational training to South Florida residents. It has campus locations in Pembroke Pines and Davie.
*If you find an area of Miami that looks interesting ask your REALTOR to get you the relevant school information.

How Big City stress affects your health

 The crime, the traffic, the congestion, the noise, and non-stop pace of the big city take its toll on your health. That’s not just anecdotal any longer, researchers are uncovering some not so surprising facts about the negative impact big cities have on peoples’ health.

In the heart of the busy metropolitan jungles, more people suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and anxiety than those who live in more rural areas. Those who fare best live in mild climates, where wild swings in temperature from the summer to the winter are practically non existent.

The Big City is a Threat Your Physical Health

All that traffic, high crime, and noise isn’t just going gentle into the night, it’s having a real affect on its residents physical well being. New research shows that people living in a big city have a higher risk of a heart attack and stroke.

Busy commutes tend not only to be stressful, but detrimental as well. Spending hours on a train or hopping from bus to bus means a lot more time spent parked in a seat. That’s not good for the heart or the belly. Studies reveal that many choose to eat while commuting in an effort to save time. The net result is a bigger waistline, which increases blood pressure, decreases circulation, and cause more fatigue.

More weight means a higher risk for hypertension and other physical health risks like high cholesterol. Simply put, less walking and more sitting have an adverse impact.

It’s Also Mental, Studies Show

Aside from the physical health risks, people living in big cities face a 21 percent higher risk of anxiety disorders, a 39 percent increase in mood disorders, thanks to a study conducted on 32 healthy participants which was published in the journal Nature.

Conversely 24 participants from rural communities were included in this brain scan study,  a statistical dead-heat in the world of MRI. Those 24 people showed little to no signs of increased risk to their mental health, a finding that wouldn’t at all surprise the average urban dweller.

The cold weather, and hustle and bustle of the big city isn’t healthy, physically or mentally, according to the research.

A solution to these potential problems? Well, one such solution is to either move to a smaller, less stressful area like the Florida Keys. Or, invest in a property to rent and buy a second home to vacation in the peaceful landscape only the Florida Keys can offer.

Key West popularity is on the Increase

Key West is booming yet again, with tourism increasing from year to year. In 2012, the island saw a bit more activity than it did in 2010, and 2011, good news for the new businesses which have cropped up in 2012 and 2013.

Key West is a popular place to live, work, and play because it’s diversity is so rich. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets make it a tranquil, relaxed environment, while its appetite for nightlife and live entertainment remains strong.

Why Key West is So Popular

The key to Key West’s popularity is its beautiful weather, recording more sunny days than anywhere else in the United States. The island is consistently caressed with a gentle breeze, courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Its high volume tourism rates make the location a great place for investment opportunities of all kinds. In 2012, there were 775 new businesses registered in Monroe County alone. Property ownership here is likewise attractive as many owners rent their homes and use them as seasonal getaways.

Home values in Key West remain steady, nearly impervious to the national real estate downturn because land is at a premium. New construction codes are strict, keeping new starts at a slow and steady pace. This is welcome news to property owners, who enjoy increased equity.

The Key West Lifestyle

Come as you are and causal fashion are staples of the area. Delightful temperatures year round mean that there’s always plenty to see and do. With very mild winters, Key West visitors and locals enjoy boating, hiking, golfing, fishing, diving, swimming, and beach lounging nearly every day of the year.

Cruisers love the island, with more than 813,000 visitors arriving in Key West in 2012 alone. Air travelers top 367,000, and many thousands more drive straight through from Miami to Key Largo, down through the Middle Keys, and right to the famous Mile 0.

Owning Property in Key West

Being a homeowner in Key West means having an investment that continually grows its equity. There is a good percentage of property owners who live on the island for just a few weeks or couple of months during the year.

Rental income is attractive as tourism continues to increase from year to year. Other property owners choose to relocate, escaping the stress of the big cities in favor of a laid-back, tropical lifestyle that is picture perfect month after month. 

Great Florida Birding Trail