A Cuban TikToker (@driven369) shared his thoughts about Miami, arguing that many people have a misguided perception of the city. "Latinos and Cubans are mistaken about Miami. This isn't the capital of the world. Miami is just a city in progress, and we, the Latinos, are the mosquito hunters," he starts off in his video. He mentions that while many Latinos are drawn to Miami's beaches and climate, the city's high living costs make it unsuitable for everyone.
"Miami is for those who have been here for 40 or 50 years when houses were twenty-five grand, and you could fill a cart with groceries for just a buck," he asserts. He also points out the rich and famous who have made Miami their home but warns ordinary Cubans not to compare themselves to them: "Whether Messi or some other millionaire lives here, those folks have been rich since houses were ten grand. Stop comparing yourselves. Understand that Miami is for singers, business owners, and people with companies."
The Cuban criticizes those who flaunt their life in Miami to their families back in Cuba and compares it to some compatriots who buy luxury cars they can't afford to maintain. "We Cubans make a mistake when we get into a Mercedes because then we act like we don't know the people around us. A Cuban buys a Mercedes and parks it in a condo. I speak from experience because in Miami, to keep your self-esteem high, you need to drive a nice car."
He highlights that many Cubans face financial struggles due to Miami's high cost of living, contrasting it with other states where conditions are more favorable: "Miami doesn't let you live. Miami's prosperity is thanks to rich Americans. Where Cubans drive, there's no prosperity. The wealthy Americans are the ones who thrive."
To him, Miami has become "the city of the noose, the city that strangles you," and it's not a place suited for everyone.