Whenever the subject comes up that I'm from Miami, the follow up question is always: "Why would you leave Miami for Huntsville?"
I'll tell you like I tell everyone else, Miami is expensive and congested.
See, back in Miami, my husband and I both decided that to save money and peace of mind, I would stay at home with our two children. Unfortunately, you can not raise a family, especially in Miami, on one income, unless you got billete (money) or you're living with your parents. Even though I stayed at home with the children, I still needed to make money, so I was blessed with an opportunity to work from home- shout out to Carla and Just Swim.
Thing is, we got comfortable living out of a one bedroom efficiency in between Calle Ocho (Eighth street) and SW 27th Ave. But, because we are a family of four and as the kids were getting older, we knew we couldn't stay there much longer, and as we looked at other places to rent, we soon came to find out that we also couldn't afford Miami.
Check out this Facebook video of Miami comedian, Mario Ramil, making fun of what 200k can buy you in Miami.
Besides the living expenses, traffic is another reason that will literalmente (literally) drive anyone crazy, or to another state, like us. To all my locals here in Huntsville that have had to drive to or through Atlanta, imagine that, all day.
Back in Miami, it took me 40 minutes to get to my daughters school that was 2 miles away, while here in Alabama, it takes me 4 minutes to get to their school that is 4 miles away.
I can harp on about all the other reasons we wanted to leave; like road rage, drama, customer service, el ambiente (ambiance), etc. But at the end of the day, I love Miami- I was born and raised there and I miss my family, friends, costumbres (customs), even la locura (the crazy). That's why we try to visit, por lo menos (at least), once a year.
Leaving Miami was not an easy decision. We knew the sacrifices we would be making and who we would be leaving behind. But we had to do what was best for our family.
Within three months of moving here, I started a business, Havanabama, selling pastelitos and cafecito from home. Within a year and a half of moving here, we bought a house en el campo (in the country). We have been able to live tranquilo (in peace), enjoy four seasons, raise chickens and even a goat we brought from Miami, in a rental car- tu te imaginas eso (can you imagine that). We have met amazing people here and have experienced things that in Miami we would have never.
On the flip side to all that, there's the cultural differences, there are tornado scares, there's the it's-so-cold-the-floor-has-iced-over-and-we-are-stuck-at-home-because-the-city-is-not-equipped-for-snow; but worst of all, we have missed out on friends and family gatherings; such as, birthdays, celebrations, Sunday dinners and holidays. The very year we moved here, I lost my tia-abuela, (great-aunt) and I didn't get a chance to see her before she passed. Same thing with my husband, when in Covid, he lost both of his grandparents.
Luckily, technology has made it easier for all of us, because we have been able to WhatsApp family/friends and include them in everything, like when we were house shopping, or at my daughters Volleyball games, even at Christmas when the kids were opening gifts, or to showcase my sons silly talents.
So yeah, we had no choice in getting the girl out of Miami, but Miami, the girl has brought. And while I have introduced pastelitos, cafecito and ¡Dale! to Huntsville, you can catch this Miami girl embracing the y'all and everythang, just not the sideways hug.
Ps. this is not an endorsement to move to Huntsville. We are becoming overcrowded, prices are going up, and traffic is starting to look like Celia Cruz says, not very good looking.
P.P.S. for those of you in Miami, that do end up moving here. Don't come to Huntsville looking for Miami. Miami is not here. Miami is in Miami. You will be disappointed and will move back.
This is the first blog I share with y'all to kickstart my attempt at blogging as Mrs. Karlene. The reason behind the name is because I went from being called Karlene in Miami to Mrs. Karlene in Alabama. In fact, I created an instagram account as well, Mrs. Karlene, that will feature all the things I love; recipes, deals, small businesses, community and more.
Please feel free to share and comment below on your experiences either leaving Miami, or from any hometown, and even from the other perspective of how local Hunstvillians feel about the growth here in their communities and how it's impacted you.
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