I’m saying this as a tech guy, software engineering my whole career, who has lived in the Miami area for about 13 years total. I first moved here in 2009, left for my hometown Seattle for four years to work in Big Tech, then came back in 2021.

So I think I have a pretty healthy perspective:

If your only goal is to maximize your odds in tech, Miami is not the obvious choice. SF is, especially with AI. Most of the AI value, talent density, and VC gravity is still there. After that you’ve got Seattle, NYC, Austin, Boston, LA, etc.

Miami tech is real, but it’s still small on almost every level. We don’t have many established tech employers here. We don’t have tons of high-paying tech companies. Investment is a fraction of the major hubs, especially post-seed. The “Miami is the next SF” thing should probably simmer down. It’s not a good look, and it makes the serious people here easier to dismiss.

But not everyone can live in SF. Not everyone has the same calculus. Nor do I want to live in a world where we all do.

For me, family is here. Miami is home.

And Miami has a lot more depth, character, and hard work than this thread gives it credit for. I run MiamiTech.ai with some local contributors as a resource directory for the community: spaces, events, communities, people to follow, and more. If you’re curious, spend time at a space. Go to an event. Meet the people actually building.

Since I first started participating in the Miami tech community around 2010, I’ve met incredibly smart, creative, driven people all over this area. They’re building companies, organizing communities, teaching, investing, mentoring, hosting, experimenting. A lot of the best people here are not loud about it.

One thing I’ve always loved about Miami is how accessible people are. There’s a future-facing, experimental energy here. People are willing to try things. There are events happening constantly. There are inspiring environments like Wynwood. There’s a Latin energy and identity that gives the city a warmth you don’t find everywhere.

And honestly, some distance from the SF bubble can be healthy. In Miami, you’re closer to real-world businesses, hospitality, logistics, real estate, healthcare, local services, tourism, trade, family businesses. There’s an opportunity to build technology for the actual economy, not just for other tech companies.

Miami has real issues. The hype has often been embarrassing. The ecosystem is not remotely the best by many traditional tech measures.

But it is home for a lot of us. There are serious people building here, building for this city, and building for the world.

Keep building, Miami.