The Florida Keys is composed of many islands that feature mangroves, sandbars, mudflats, and tidal waters. Here you can bask under the sun and take a dip in the crystal-clear ocean. You can enjoy freshly caught seafood, or explore pristine state and national parks, and that’s just scratching the surface.
Here, we’ll guide you through the best things to see and do in the Florida Keys as well as give you some of the best reasons why the Florida Keys isn’t just a great place to visit, but a wonderful place to call home.
Table of Contents:
Beach life
Surprisingly, life in the Keys does not necesarily revolve around the beaches, and the islands offer so much more than sun and sand. That being said, there are some great beaches to enjoy.
For the best beaches in the Keys, head to Bahia Honda. Here you’ll find the 3 beaches of Sandspur, Calusa and Loggerhead, all of which have fine white sand the and azure waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Bahia Honda offers great camping facilities with over 70 compasites to choose from. There’s fishing, snorkelling, and kayaking, and since Bahia Honda is a state park, there are some fantastic spots for birdwatching.
If you have a family and you’re looking for a beach with excellent amenities, head to Smathers Beach in Key West, which is just a short drive from numerous shops and cafes. You can also rent jet skis here. For a more quiet beach getaway, visit Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, which is situated near the stunning gardens of the Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower.
Fishing is an important part of life for many in the Florida Keys. Get in your boat, head down to one of many fishing spots, and cast your line. How serious you are about catching any bites is up to you. Or, you could hire a fishing charter boat or go on a cruise. With hundreds of charters just in Key West, Islamorada, Marathon, and Key Largo, there truly is a lifetime of fishing to be had in the Keys. No matter what type of charter you hire, you’ll have an experienced and knowledgeable crew, as well as use of the equipment you need to hopefully get that once in a lifetime catch.
Beyond the sand and sea
While much of the natural beauty of the region is bound around the sea and the sand, there’s so much more to see and things to do in the Florida Keys. The region has a rich and colorful history and many events and different people have left a cultural mark in the Keys.
The Hemingway Home & Museum
Make a pilgrimage to one of Key West’s most popular attractions, the The Hemingway Home & Museum, a stunning Spanish Colonial house where author Ernest Hemingway resided from 1931-1940. Guided tours are held every day. Do note that admission can only be paid for in cash.
Hemingway also frequented many local bars, including his favorite watering hole, Sloppy Joe’s on Duval Street. You can visit all of the local bars that Hemingway patronized, and cap your tour with a beer or your drink of choice at Sloppy Joe’s.
Mallory Square
To experience a warm local welcome, head to Mallory Square, where locals and tourists toast each other amidst a sea of performers, shops, and restaurants. There’s a tightrope-walking dog, British acrobats, and even fire swallowers.
Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
This museum is housed in the former Customs House, a red-brick building that was built in 1891. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in local history as it shows archival footage of the Overseas Highway’s construction and features a model of the USS Maine, which was sunk in the Spanish American War. The Museum of Art & History also examines the Navy’s role in Key West and sheds a light on the wreckers who salvaged sunken treasure ships.
The Studios of Key West (TSKW)
Visit the nonprofit Studios of Key West, where you’ll find a dozen artist’s studios in a single three-story building. Drop by on the first Thursday of every month for art openings. You can also attend visual and literary workshops, readings, lectures and concerts, as well as take part in community discussion groups.
Where to eat
The dining options in the Keys are diverse and sumptuous. As you would expect, the Florida Keys is a fresh seafood haven. Stop by one of the many rustic crab shacks that dot the islands. On Islamorada, you can find stone crab chowder and cracked conch at Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar, waterfront dining at its simple best. Eat fresh and tasty dishes as you watch the sun go down. It’s a wonderful way to spend your evenings.
Key West has a vibrant Cuban community, and it’s definitely recommended you try during a visit. Visit El Meson de Pepe and El Siboney Restaurant for authentic Cuban food. These two restaurants have been around for decades and they’re still offering mouthwatering food.
Of course, you can’t leave the Florida Keys without trying its most famous local dessert, key lime pie. You can find it in almost every restaurant in the area, so you can eat it to your heart’s content. If you want to combine dining and sightseeing, book a Key West Food Tour, which comes with an expert guide so not only will you be served a feast, you get a narration of the history of the region.
Good to visit, but better to call home
All we’ve mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg of the attractions and things to do in the Florida Keys. However, there are so many other draws to the area that it’s little surprise that it’s such a popular region to move to.
Natural beauty
If you’d like to wake up in a stunning place, the Florida Keys are brimming with natural beauty. Living in the Florida Keys means that there are many nearby beaches, it’ll never be hard just to escape to the water’s edge. But it’s not just the beaches. The whole of the Florida keys is a beautiful landscape that makes your everyday living that much more enriching and vibrant.
Relaxed pace of life
In the offseason, the Florida Keys take on a much more relaxed pace. Residents of the Florida Keys are very casual, and shorts and swimsuits are part of everyday wear. The Florida Keys has a relaxing tropical island vibe and many people find it hard to leave. Many retirees also move to the Florida Keys because they’re looking for that special place in the sun that has all the amenities they need but also the breezy light heartedness that comes with living in the islands.
Studies have shown that being around water reduces stress and anxiety and increases contentment and wellbeing. Living near the beach may even reduce chronic pain. Sleep soundly while listening to the nearby waves ebb and flow.
A close community
The Florida Keys can be found in Monroe County, which is home to less than 100,000 permanent residents. Most of them can be found in Key West or Key Largo, with the other islands being sparsely populated. If you want to live in a place with a small-town feel, head to Islamorada, Big Pine Key, and Marathon, where you can quickly get to know other permanent residents.
No state income tax
One of the perks of living in Florida is that this state is one of the few in the US that does not charge income tax. This means that you won’t need to file multiple tax returns unless you have a business.
The Florida state sales tax is 6% while Monroe Country charges an additional 1.5%. Though figuring out whether you’d be better off in one state or another is notoriously difficult given the tax intricacies found in different states, not having to pay income tax is a powerful draw for many residents.
Overview of housing options
There’s a wide range of housing options in the Florida Keys fit for every budget and preference.
Key West or Conch-style homes
Found in Old Town Key West, these wooden cottages are known for their vibrant tropical pastel colors that range from seaside blue and green to yellow and even pink. They can be small cottages or opulent mansions. Expect a picket fence and front porches with framing columns. Some two-story homes have complex iron accents and lattice work and Queen Anne and Victorian design features. Key West homes date back to the 19th century. Expect to pay around $1 million for a fixer-upper and up to $5 million or more for a fully restored or newly constructed luxury conch house.
Florida-Style canal mansion
If you’d like to live near the water, look for a Florida-Style canal mansion. There are numerous homes along the hundreds of miles of canals that can be found in the Florida Keys. These residences range from homes on stilts to cozy cottages and huge seaside estates.
They come in a variety of design styles, such as Spanish, Mediterranean, and American ranch-style houses. Expect an open floor plan that offers a stunning water view. Many Florida-Style canal mansions also feature decks and porches that make the most of the surrounding water.
You’ll find canal neighborhoods in Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada, and Big Pine Key.
Condominium
If you’d rather live in a condominium, you can easily do so in the Florida Keys. Many people favor condominiums because they usually cost less than traditional houses, have maintenance assistance outside of your specific unit, and come with amenities that a single home may not have. Living in a condo is also a great way to meet good neighbors and make firm friends.
You can find condos all across the Florida Keys, from Key Largo to Key West. There is only one high-rise building in the Florida Keys, the Bonefish Tower, which can be found in Marathon. But aside from this building, buildings have a height limit of 40 feet, which keeps the area free from obstructions to views and maintains the island feel.
Another reason why a condo may be suitable for you is if you intend to invest in a secondary home. This will not only get you your own place in the sun, it can also provide considerable passive income if you choose to rent the property out.
Contemporary
Looking for a contemporary home in a tropical setting? You’ll find it in the Florida Keys. Contemporary homes are known for their open floor plan and modern design.
Many contemporary homes in the Florida Keys follow Craftsman style and are built from recycled or repurposed materials. Wood, stone, and glass are popular materials for contemporary homes. The newest homes are eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
These are available at a wide range of prices, making it easy for many to buy a home within their budget.
Learn more about living in the Florida Keys with The Lisa Ferringo Group
With raw natural beauty and amazing things to do, the Florida Keys is the perfect home for those seeking to live the island lifestyle while staying close to world-class urban amenities and attractions. Learn more about the Florida Keys with the exceptional professionals at The Lisa Ferringo Group.
Lisa has been the Number One Residential Realtor for residential sales in the Florida Keys since 2015.. Specializing in luxury residential or vacation homes, Lisa has more than 33 years of experience in real estate, 18 of which were spent selling luxury waterfront homes in the Florida Keys.
Explore your real estate options in this wonderful part of the world and get in touch with The Lisa Ferringo Group today at 305.304.0656 or send an email to here. We’d love to hear from you.