University of Miami - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

It’s hard not to be impressed by the aura of Miami. Whether it’s the authentic Cuban culture in Little Havana or the neon frenzy of South Beach, Miami has plenty to do and see. Sports fans will be impressed by the mixture of professional and collegiate athletics, while entertainment-savvy students will love the music and art scenes. There is definitely not a shortage of things to do, and few cities can match Miami’s 24-hour atmosphere. There are things to watch out for, including some bad neighborhoods and insane traffic, but the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to Miami’s atmosphere.

One of the negatives of having such a great city around the campus is that a “college town” has never been born. Colleges in rural areas usually tend to have small cities spring up around them to accommodate the thousands of students. With so much to do around town, Coral Gables seems to be carrying on daily without thinking too much about the big college next door. Miami is a great city for almost anyone, which is why tourism plays such an important part of the culture. Tourists flock to the beautiful beaches, the endless shops in Coconut Grove, and the clubs and bars of South Beach. Tourists may get a little annoying sometimes, but if you end up going to UM, just remember that you used to be one of them.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The city of Miami always has... The city of Miami always has something going on, though, for those under 21, things can become a bit limiting at some times. There are other schools around, but not within 20 miles or so. There are many movie theaters, bars, clubs, and general places to hang out. However, there are also a lot of areas to be avoided. The ghetto-type areas are obviously at the top of this list and are probably the easiest to identify and avoid. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere here in Miami is... The atmosphere here in Miami is great. It’s very lively, and there are a lot of things to do all the time, for example clubbing on South Beach, dining out, going to the beach, going to football games, and shopping at Sunset Place and the Grove. FIU is the other big school in the greater Miami area. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The town is perfect for a college... The town is perfect for a college campus. It has its great spots, good spots, and the ones you need to avoid, as well. Other universities are present and are a noticeable factor in the community. The city atmosphere provides a good cultural, as well as career-oriented, atmosphere. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It’s a nice party city. Stay away... It’s a nice party city. Stay away from the ghettos. Visit the beach, Calle Ocho, and downtown Miami. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There are areas where it is... There are areas where it is dangerous, and you should not stray from main streets in certain areas. However, for the most part the city is definitely a safe place. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Miami:
• One of Miami’s most notable and fun places is its large Cuban neighborhood, known as Little Havana. Head to Calle Ocho (8th Street) to try some great Cuban food and sample other aspects of a fascinating culture.
• Miami’s trendy nightlife crowd makes South Beach a hot spot on any night of the week. Keep an eye out for celebrities on the weekends when the clubs get invaded by stars like Will Smith, P. Diddy, and Jennifer Lopez.
• An hour drive south will take you to the start of the Florida Keys, a string of beautiful islands that ends at one of the area’s most popular party spots, Key West.
• You never know who you might see walking the streets of Miami. The city was home to at least four recent blockbuster films: Bad Boys II, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Stuck on You, and Out of Time. Countless other music videos and commercials were shot in Miami, as well as films like Scarface and The Birdcage.
• Having a car in college is a great luxury, but make sure to bring plenty of good music, because you could be waiting in traffic for a long time. A 2003 study says the city of Miami has the 4th most congested driving conditions in the country.

Famous People from Miami:
Dave Barry
Jose Canseco
Steve Carlton
Gloria Estefan
Don Francisco
Andy Garcia
Enrique Iglesias
Dwayne Johnson
Catherine Keener
Ricky Martin
Eva Mendes
Chris Myers
Sidney Poitier
Brett Rather
Janet Reno
Alex Rodriguez
Blake Ross
Bob Rubin
Jessica Sutta
Timbaland
Trick Daddy
Vanilla Ice
Persia White

Local Slang:
Laying out – Sprawling out under the sun and getting a tan in one of many of the green spaces on campus
The Grove – Short for “Coconut Grove,” a collection of clubs and shops about 10 minutes away from campus
SoBe – Abbreviation for South Beach, home to many of the area’s clubs and restaurants
O.B. – Slang term for the Orange Bowl, UM’s historic football stadium and former home of the Miami Dolphins

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