Key West
General Overview
Key West
is a tropical island located at the tip of Florida some 125 miles from Key West and only 90 miles from Cuba. It is the southern most city of the continental United States. Residents in Key West enjoy a frost free tropical climate with pristine sandy beaches, great restaurants, good schools, gorgeous sunsets and a very diversified relaxed life style.
Key West
is located in Monroe County in Florida's Lower Keys. Key West is rich in history and natural resources. Commonly named the Conch Republic and Margueritaville, Key West is home to over 30,000 year round residents.
The Overseas Highway and the Seven Mile Bridge on Key West and the Key West International Airport brings tourists to the island which economically supplies Key West with employment. Tourism is the number one industry on the island today.
Historically, the Key West area was known for it's shipwrecks, a haven for pirates, and Spanish adventurers, Cuban cigar-making factories, sponge harvesting, ship-fitting, turtling, and salt manufacturing.
Key West has seen many years of change throughout it's history. It's rich history has brought various kinds of people to it's shores making it a culturally diverse place to live and visit. Even today you'll experience the Cuban, Haitian, and New England influence as seen from architectual styles to scrumptuous cuisine.
Cultural events honoring literary giants like Frost and Hemmingway mark the calendar as well as sunset celebrations at Mallory Square nightly. Fantasy Fest is Key West's answer to Mardi Gras. This ten day event is packed with contests, concerts, parties, street fairs, and parades. There seems to be festivals and events year round drawing over 4.5 million visitors to Key West each year.
The combination of fishing, great weather, festivals and events, coral reef snorkling and diving, and of course the island's fine dining and resorts brands Key West as a favorite travel destination and even a better place to reside.
Key West Housing
There is an abundance of residential Real Estate available in Key West
that is as diverse as it's people. The old Conch Styles, Cigar Homes, Victorian and Carribean Style homes are some of the the favorites that make Key West charming and unique. Throughout the island there is a mix of old and new architecure. Key West features a limited amount of gated communities and sub-divisions due primarily to size and the fragile eco-system it inhabits. Single-family homes, canal homes, and condominiums, offering a variable price range and availability dot the island. Condominium and townhouse options are abundant and seem to be equally preffered by residents and tourists. Waterfront properties are held at a premium. For those seeking a quieter style of living, homes away from the main shopping streets such as Duval Street, are in demand. The Key West area is served by a Real Estate Multiple Listing Service, (MLS) and links to them can be found on this site at: www.housesandhomes.com/real-estate/Key West
/tuc.listings/html.
Townships Surrounding Key West
Key West is approximately 4.5 square miles and is home to neighborhoods Old Town, Mid Town, New Town, William Street, Little Havana, Bahama Village, Truman Annex, Key West Golf Club, Casa Marina, and Roosevelt Annex.
Key West Climate and Weather
Located at sea level, Key West is situated in a tropical climate zone. The average year-round temperature for Key West, Florida is 77 degrees. Residents of Key West know that temperatures rarely get above the 90's and that Key West never experiences a frost. You'll enjoy clean sandy beaches, breathing fresh unpolluted air and see some of the most beautiful sunsets anywhere.
Key West
Attractions
Art and Culture is abundant in Key West. The combination of an affluent and well educated populace has led to the development of the Monroe Council of the Arts which supports local artists and programs through workshops and grants. The Monroe Council of the Arts additionally sponsors and promotes art events in Key West as well. There is a variety of galleries and museums throughout the island. Visitors and residents alike will enjoy frequenting the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Curry Mansion, Duval Street Wrecker's Museum, East Martello Museum, Harry Truman's Little White House Museum, Hemingway House and Museum, Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, Key West Lighthouse Museum, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum.
For theater lovers, Key West has The Red Barn Theatre on Duval Street, Eaton Street Theatre-Club Chameleon, Spirit Theatre, and the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center located at Mallory Square.
One of the favorite attractions in Key West is the Key West Aquarium. Kids and adults have tons of fun at Ripley's Believe It Or Not and of course any really great place to live or visit has to have great shops. Key West's Historic Seaport satisfies those seeking fun shops and galleries as well as satisfies cravings for yummy seafood and interesting cuisine.
Deep sea fishing is big in Key West and you'll have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of one of the world's best sport fishing area in the world. Key West features many deep sea and sport fishing charters.
For those who like to tour, visit
Fort Zachary Taylor located in Key West. It was an important outpost during the Civil War. Fort Taylor was built in 1845 and is open for tours daily. Go to our Recreation icon and click on it for attractions and recreational links that will provide you with detailed information.
Some of the favorite attractions in Key West are the eco-tours with dolphins. Visitors and residents can experience swimming with the dolphins in their natural habitat. Snorkling and diving in Key West is equally big and guarantees sights of beautiful coral reef and tropical fish. White Heron National Refuge is home to thousands of sea birds and marine life and you'll be able to visit there via boat. Just check out some of the local tour companies for excursion information. There is even a ferry to run you out to Dry Tortugas National Park. Here you can see all of the small islands that make up this national park. You can take a whale watch as well while out on the ocean. There is just an abundance of activities that involve ocean and air to be a part of.
Key West
Education
From Florida Keys Community College
to kindergarten, Key West
offers high quality education. There are four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school located in Key West. Key West is part of the Monroe County School District. For some of the best links where you can get detailed information about the school district, statistics and scores, go to http://housesandhomes.com/real-estate/Key West/tuc_scroll_school.html.
Key West
Employment
The major source of employment in Key West is the tourism industry. The top employers will be the large hotels and resorts as well as some of the larger commercial fishing companies. Links can be found at http://housesandhomes.com/real-estate/Key West
/tuc_scroll_employ.html.
With plenty of sunshine, Key West is an ideal location for companies who are part of the tourism industry as well as the hotel management sector. Positions in retail are plenitful as over 4.5 million tourists visit the island annually.
