Moving to Key West Florida and the Cost of Living

I have seen some great home prices on foreclosed homes in Monroe County. My favorite site is homepath.com These were loans backed by Fannie Mae which were defaulted on.
Imo it would be best to buy if you are able. Rates are incredibly low and you can lock in a 30 years fixed mortgage to avoid rent hikes from your landlord.

When commenting on the school’s grade keep in mind that there is a large number of English as a Second, Third, fourth or fifth language students as well as a wonderful inclusive Disability program at Key West High School which in reality are pluses but when it comes to school ‘grades’ these programs have negative impact on the grade. Living in a community where weird is the norm kids that on the mainland are being tortured by students and even teachers and administrators will find it a lot more likely to find it is the ‘Mean Girls" and ’Heathers’ are the ones that don’t fit in to an island way of life. There is almost no label touting with kids of Billionaires best friends with kids whose families are on public assistance. And something unheard of in most High schools if you want to play a sport you can. There are try outs for baseball and it is the one sport that can be hard to get on the traveling team as Baseball is kinda a religion down here. The community supports the school and the students not just for one or two things but in everything. There are several club sports supported by probably one of the best PAL programs in the US. Officers even work in stop gap programs when after school programs are closed which in many mainland communities lead to left at home accidents and injuries to younger children. There are many opportunities for high school students to get after school jobs, internships in the community and professional certifications at the high school. The greatest issue for Keys students is the range some will have to travel to and from school. There are only 3 County High school programs in the lower keys there is an additional Charter Option at the FKCC campus on Stock Island covering the 100+ miles of Florida Keys.Coral Shores near Key Largo, Marathon Middle High (has both Middle school and High school grades) in Marathon, Collegiate Charter High School at FKCC on Stock Island and Key West High School. Some programs are limited to only one or two so if you live in Big Pine Key (zoned for Marathon Middle High 15 miles away, and your child wants to be in NJROTC They would need to apply to go to Key West and would have to be approved to ride bus that picks up on Little Torch as farthest north bus stop or drive the 60 miles round trip each day. For those that parents work in Key West this can be a minor inconvenience. Although school grades take in very important aspects sadly more often than not things that can be even more important to social, education, prep for college, work and life skills are overlooked. With dual enrollment, Virtual school through the state FLVS, College Prep, traditional 18 credit, Trades training and certifications (KWHS has a nationaly awarded Multimedia professional certification and a culinary program which offers catering to school, business and private events. Although there are VERY serious issues to being able to move here and not have to head back mainland bound in a few months. Although someone WILLING to work can find a job for being able to afford housing be willing to have a couple. Affordable housing is one of the greatest issues that face the worker bees of the islands. Habitat for Humanity is about to build a few homes but those in line for those have been on H4Hs list for years. The Lower Keys H4H does have a few rental apartments but those also take years to get in as do the County Afforable housing programs. can take a decade to move up to the front of the line. Average movement for a low income 2 bedroom is 3 – 5 spots every 2 years. On the mainland of Florida 250K can get you a nice home on Key west you might get in to a condo but they will be one of the condos that you are looking at 500-1300 HOA and Wind/Water Insrances above what your Mtg and basic Insurance costs. Those under 250 k condos are usually under 900sf Even half million dollar condos will not have central AC so do not be surprised. Useing small units which have come a long way from the powerbill killing units of decades ago is that you can limit the areas being cooled. So at night just bedroom needs to be cooled, The tile and Building materials can help reduce the amount of the air temprature The Sun however will be the worst so using window tinting and films might help limit your electric needs due to the sun you want to move here for it is going to limit the view. But hey an apt /condo/ house is just a place to sleep between your couple jobs and hours off right?

Good read!! I have travelled to Key West many times and do find it to be captivating and appealing (lest the tourists ?) but I don’t understand the willingness to pay this extremely high cost of living. I’ve lived all over and yet I always end up back in the Midwest, in Amish Country, where you can buy a mansion with many acres for $200,000. I guess I don’t understand the disproportionate cost of living/average pay either…..guess it all depends on what someone wants for themselves. I would rather live in the Midwest and be able to afford regular vacations……and a nice house….and a luxury car. I don’t knock anyone that chooses this however, because it sure is beautiful. ?

I’ve lived in Key West for 30yrs and I’ll say it’s not for everyone! If you like small town living and knowing ALOT of people everywhere you go and are comfortable with knowing you have to drive a couple hours to get to a mall then you’ll love it here! If you can’t escape the comforts of wanting everything outside your front door then you’ll hate it and constantly compare it to somewhere else! Yes the housing costs are higher but the supply isn’t as abundant! It could take a VERY LONG time but great deals DO come along. They call it paradise for a reason! You either want the relaxation of an island or the chaos of a city…choose wisely cause they’re not combined.living 10 miles up the keys is cheaper and still very close to everything. It’s all relative. ..in the heart of a city is mu h more expensive than on the outskirts! I think people’s expectations are too high and not reasonable. If you WANT EVERYTHING then you must expect to PAY FOR EVERYTHING!!!

Just got home (Orlando area) from a week in KW working (covering for another staff member). I have to correct the gas prices – Orlando was 1.87, Miami/Upper Keys 2.18, KW 2.63 a gallon. I have been to KW many times vacationing and would love to live here for many reasons and I do not even drink! I like that it is walk and bike friendly, historically fascinating, architecturally beautiful, quirky, diverse (One Human Family), and just plain positive. It represents a mindset and lifestyle change for real. For me, the drawback is distance from family and the housing challenge. I would live in Old Town or not move to KW at all. It is a very special place.