A Cuban couple who has been living in Nebraska for over ten years announced their move to Miami in a video posted this Monday on TikTok, which generated a wave of supportive messages and congratulations from the Cuban community in the United States.
The account @familialegra shared the news with their followers with both enthusiasm and relief: "We're moving to Miami, we're moving to Miami, family. Yes, we are very happy and pleased with the decision we've made." The husband has lived in Nebraska for 11 years and the wife for ten.
The couple explained that the decision had been maturing for some time, but they preferred not to announce it until everything was confirmed. "We hadn’t mentioned anything until everything was ready," they said. The trigger was a vacation trip to Miami, where they visited the area where they wanted to settle and made the final decision.
"We believe that all life has a cycle, sir, and we believe that our cycle here in Nebraska has come to an end," they stated in the video.
The trip involves a drive of approximately 26 hours from Nebraska to Miami. "Nebraska to Miami, twenty-six hours of driving. That's right, but well, nothing, with faith that everything will go well for us," they said. They announced that they would be arriving at their new destination this week.
The couple plans to document the entire process—the journey, the new house, and the furnishing—on their YouTube channel, also called Familia Alegra, where they invited their followers to join them.
The comments on the video were mostly positive. Several users welcomed them to the "305," the area code for Miami, while others shared similar experiences. A follower identified as "Cuba Quiere Libertad" wrote: "There you go, it was about time, kids. Nebraska isn't easy. I lived there for 21 years and we also left recently. That's great, greetings and blessings, and you'll see that everything will go well for you."
The advice was not lacking. The user Hanoi recommended to them: "Stay out of Miami politics, stick to your line, as that politics is complicated."
The case of this couple reflects a recurring trend among Cubans moving from northern states to southern Florida, drawn by the warm climate, cultural proximity, and the presence of a large Cuban-American community. Approximately 1.8 million Cubans live in Florida, primarily concentrated in Miami-Dade.
Nebraska, for its part, is home to an immigrant community of about 140,000 people, with a documented Cuban presence in cities such as Omaha, Grand Island, and Columbus. In the latter, there has been a Cuban store called Palmeras Cuban Store since 2018, showcasing the roots that some compatriots have established in the Midwest.
However, not all Cubans who arrive in Miami stay there. Some regret being in Miami and choose more affordable cities like Cape Coral or Tampa, where the cost of living is lower. The couple currently believes that the change will be worth it: "We are ready for whatever comes our way, happy and excited, and trusting in God that everything will turn out well."
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