MIAMI HERALD
April 22, 2007

More and more boomer retirees are shirking suburbia and returning to major urban areas as they seek out more cultural and entertainment opportunities. They even have a name: ruppies (retired urban people). Miami is welcoming them with a huge condo market, the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, a farmers' market at Bayfront Park, art galleries in Wynwood, a thriving restaurant scene and trendy shopping in the Design District.

Add an international airport, several major universities and the Metromover and Metrorail for getting around, and Miami starts to sound downright desirable.

Miami is listed at one of the country's 20 best retirement downtowns in the 2006 book Retire Downtown: The Lifestyle Destination for Active Retirees and Empty Nesters, by Kyle Ezell (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $18.95). The book sings the praises of the Brickell area and neighborhoods west of Bicentennial Park, calling Miami the ''New Hollywood'' for the attraction it holds for many of today's celebrities. All is not pearly, however. Miami is one of the least-affordable places to live, with 69 percent of its residents spending at least 30 percent of their household incomes on homeownership. With downtown condo prices in the millions, it only holds appeal for those who can afford it.