I came to the Keys in 1997 as the General Manager of a Key Largo resort, having been in Miami’s Coconut Grave in a similar capacity for the prior two years, knowing little about the Keys, knowing I had fallen in love with Florida, not knowing that it wouldn’t take long before I realized this was where I wanted to stay. Here are a few of the reasons why I think others might feel the same:
Weather – Surrounded by water, referred to as the American Caribbean, it has a tropical climate with moderate temperatures and ocean breezes that quickly push seasonal showers over the island chain, it is perfect for year-round outdoor living.
Crystal Clear Waters – The Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico to its north, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and west, the Keys are tough to beat for boaters and water enthusiast that enjoy fishing, snorkeling, diving, rafting on sandbars or exploring thousands of inlets and mangrove tunnels.
Spectacular Sunsets – There are few sunsets as memorable as those seen in the Florida Keys; a time each day when throughout the island chain people pause to mark the moment the sun leaves the sky, ringing bells, blowing conch horns and clapping hands in appreciation of the magnificent show. If your personal clock or lifestyle allow for it, sunrises are special as well.
Small Town, Giving Community – Although a world tourist destination, the Florida Keys (the populated area of Monroe County) is made up of series of small towns and villages with a total population of 73,000, Key West containing over 30% of the population. Those who live here will attest to a small town America mentality with numerous volunteer fund raising events for a plethora of causes or residents in need held weekly throughout the Keys. Musicians donate their talents, merchants contribute goods and services for raffles, and restaurants and bars provide gift certificates and food for the events, and residents turn out by the hundreds, raising thousands of dollars for good causes.
Low Taxes – If you intend to make this your primary home, you are probably aware that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax. However, the Keys also has a moderate sales tax of 7.5%, and the average effective property tax rate of .67%, is one of the lowest in Florida (the average national rate being 1.07%), with the millage rate being $.0101 per $100 of assessed value. (Taxes in some of the incorporated villages, towns and cities vary.)
Weather – Surrounded by water, referred to as the American Caribbean, it has a tropical climate with moderate temperatures and ocean breezes that quickly push seasonal showers over the island chain, it is perfect for year-round outdoor living.
Crystal Clear Waters – The Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico to its north, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and west, the Keys are tough to beat for boaters and water enthusiast that enjoy fishing, snorkeling, diving, rafting on sandbars or exploring thousands of inlets and mangrove tunnels.
Spectacular Sunsets – There are few sunsets as memorable as those seen in the Florida Keys; a time each day when throughout the island chain people pause to mark the moment the sun leaves the sky, ringing bells, blowing conch horns and clapping hands in appreciation of the magnificent show. If your personal clock or lifestyle allow for it, sunrises are special as well.
Small Town, Giving Community – Although a world tourist destination, the Florida Keys (the populated area of Monroe County) is made up of series of small towns and villages with a total population of 73,000, Key West containing over 30% of the population. Those who live here will attest to a small town America mentality with numerous volunteer fund raising events for a plethora of causes or residents in need held weekly throughout the Keys. Musicians donate their talents, merchants contribute goods and services for raffles, and restaurants and bars provide gift certificates and food for the events, and residents turn out by the hundreds, raising thousands of dollars for good causes.
Low Taxes – If you intend to make this your primary home, you are probably aware that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax. However, the Keys also has a moderate sales tax of 7.5%, and the average effective property tax rate of .67%, is one of the lowest in Florida (the average national rate being 1.07%), with the millage rate being $.0101 per $100 of assessed value. (Taxes in some of the incorporated villages, towns and cities vary.)
Abundance of National, State and Local Parks and Sanctuaries – There are 10 State Parks in the Florida Keys, 2 national parks and numerous sanctuaries supporting luscious island foliage with many distinctive plant and animal species found nowhere else in America. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, the first undersea park in the United States, encompasses approximately 70 square miles, with mangrove swamps, tropical hammocks and a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
Stable Economy – The unemployment rate is typically lower than the state and federal levels, it being 3.5% as of June 2021 according to the US Federal Reserve. The median household income is $68,589 with a per capita income of $48,347 which is 1.5 times Florida’s and 1.4 times the United States’. 28% of the Florida Keys household incomes are over $100,000 with persons below the poverty line 8.7%, about two-thirds the rate of Florida and the United States.
Schools and College – As of 2021, there were 23 public schools serving 8,436 students in Monroe County and claims one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools, in the top 30% of all Florida public schools. It is also home to The College of the Florida Keys, offering an array of bachelor and associate degrees, certificates and career training programs with its main campus in Key West, a Middle Keys Center in Marathon, and a brand new 38,000 sq. ft. Upper Keys Center in Key Largo, opened in August of 2021.
Cultural History and Festivals – Rich in history, playground and home of some of Americas most famous authors, artists, politicians, heroes and scoundrels, it is no surprise that the Keys abound in art and culture with museums, galleries, studios and festivals that celebrate its storied past. Year-round entertainment flourishes with an abundance of talented musicians and performers, many who came to visit and decided to stay. There are community theater groups throughout the Keys, and unique indoor and outdoor venues for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Great Restaurants, Pubs and Local Breweries – It makes sense that there would be restaurants in the Florida Keys featuring fresh seafood with chefs that specialize in its preparation, even willing for a modest fee to prepare your catch, adding their own secret ingredients. But one would be mistaken to think you have to order the fish. The Keys are saturated with outstanding restaurants ranging from down home cooking favorites like Key Largo’s Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, to popular high-end fine dining like Key West’s A&B Lobster House, with everything in between. And you are never very far from establishments offering adult libations, many concentrated on Key West’s Duval Street, but not lacking anywhere else.
Key Lime Pie – Little did Aunt Sally know, that when she substituted local key limes into a lemon ice box pie at the Curry mansion in the late 1800s, she would be creating one of America’s best loved regional dishes. Almost every restaurant boasts its own version, but it will be up to you find the best.
I’m not going to give this thought too much space. After all, the purpose of this website is to encourage you to call me with a request to help you find your own piece of paradise. But the Keys are not for everyone, although many who leave, return.
Weather – Although this is also the reason many love the Keys, for some it is a bit too hot and some months a bit too humid; the reason why some of those who are able will have another home to escape to when those months roll around. There is also hurricane season, officially from June through November, with the threat peaking in late August and early September. Although we deal with the treat of hurricanes each year, not one hurricane made land fall in Florida between 2005 and 2017.
Limited Shopping – If you are looking for a Neiman Marcus, you are looking in the wrong place. Until recent closings eliminated this choice, the joke used to be, “If you can’t find it at K-Mart, do you really need it?” There are many great tourist-oriented gift shops, art galleries and boutiques, but unless you are willing to travel to Miami, you probably won’t be happy with the selection of malls or department stores in the Keys.
Highway Safety – Skilled defensive driving is a plus. There are no alternative roads to US #1, with limited passing opportunities, few traffic lights, and periods when traffic gets backed up for no good reason. The patience of some will wane, making this stretch of road the highest per capita rate of auto accidents in Florida.
Limited Variety of Employment Opportunities – If looking for a job, unless it is tourism or government based, employment opportunities are limited.
High Cost of Homes – Living in paradise comes with a price. The median cost of a single-family home as of March (six-month rolling average) was $960,471 with the median cost of a condo $599,792. Hurricane and flood insurance can also be a bit high, depending where your home is located.
Change of Seasons – If you enjoy a change of seasons, you might want to keep your home up north. Although there are subtle changes, it might take you a few years to recognize them.
Big City Stuff – Miami is 60 miles from north Key Largo, and 160 miles from Key West, and is a wonderful city loaded with diverse culture, arts, major league sports, fancy dining, night life, world class mall and store shopping. But if you have to have such things at arms-reach, you are probably not meant for Keys living.
