When talking to people considering a move to Miami, crime often comes up.

Visiting as a tourist for a few days is a completely different experience than actually living there.

If you have children, you'll want to check not only housing prices and school districts but also neighborhood safety.

One important thing to understand when looking at crime in Miami is the distinction between the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

The area we commonly refer to as Miami is quite large, so the statistics can vary significantly depending on the specific location.

In terms of homicides, Miami has had a reputation in the past as one of the more dangerous cities in the U.S.

The image from the drug crime wave of the 1980s and 90s still lingers. However, in the long term, violent crime has decreased significantly since then.

That said, it would be a mistake to think of it as a completely safe city. Homicides and gun crimes continue to occur in certain areas, and there are considerable differences between neighborhoods. Therefore, making a decision about where to live based solely on the overall crime rate is not very meaningful.

What you will likely be more concerned about in daily life are property crimes.

In particular, you need to be cautious about car-related crimes. While cars can be stolen, thefts targeting items inside vehicles are also a concern.

As a city with many tourists, rental cars and busy parking lots can become targets.

In Korea, it's common for people to leave bags or shopping bags in their cars while they quickly step into a restaurant, but it's best to avoid that habit in Miami.

It's safer not to leave any bags, including laptop bags or travel bags, visible in your car, even if they are empty.

For a while, there was a problem with thefts targeting certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles across the U.S., and Miami was affected as well.

Modern vehicles have improved security features, but car theft has not disappeared.

Burglary and general theft are similar. Even within Miami, the types of crime can differ between high-rise condos in Brickell, single-family homes in the suburbs, and tourist-heavy areas. In condos, you should check access control and parking security, while for single-family homes, it's wise to consider front lighting, cameras, and garage security.

One interesting point when looking at crime statistics is that Miami is sometimes remembered as a much more dangerous city than it actually is due to its past notoriety. Since the 2000s, crime has significantly decreased. However, after the COVID period, some property crimes like car theft and shoplifting have become issues again.

Ultimately, what matters in Miami is not just the city name but the ZIP code and neighborhood. If you're looking for a home, it's advisable to visit in the evening as well.

Miami is not a city to avoid at all costs, nor is it a place to let your guard down just because it's a tourist destination.

The level of safety you feel while living there can vary greatly depending on which neighborhood you choose, making that the most realistic perspective.