Stuart Kennedy is Knight's program associate in Miami.

The sun is shining in Miami. Palm trees are swaying in the breeze. The ocean is that pure, clear blue that mid-westerners dream of in their tropical vacation fantasies. It appears that Miami’s image as an urban tropical paradise continues to ring true with residents. It’s not surprising that aesthetics ranks at the top of the list for the most important components driving community attachment in Miami.

Amidst a devastating economic downturn, it is comforting to have evidence that an intrinsic characteristic, like the city’s physical beauty, is driving community attachment rather than something as fickle as the economy.

Along with aesthetics, social offerings remained one of the top three factors driving community attachment and nightlife was sited as the highest ranked aspect of social offerings. While the South Beach club scene remains a strong draw, the artistic community has seriously stepped it up in the last few years. Concerts, gallery openings, and a slew of other art-centric events are popping up on the calendar week in and week out. This is not just your annual, imported Art Basel. This is home-grown energy that is not confined to the few cooler months of the year. We are getting to a critical mass with the arts in Miami and residents are feeling it.

According to the study, the third most important driver, openness (how welcoming a place is) still needs some work. Miami does have the stereotype of being relatively unfriendly. However, we are chipping away at this problem as Miamians get out into their beautiful city to take advantage of the social offerings and start interacting with the multitude of diverse peoples that live here.

Miami is a unique and interesting place. Even though the majority of its residents were not born in the city, its innate charm will sneak up and grab you and before you know it, you’ll start feeling attached.