crazygrl

Hi,
I would like to rent a cottage/house for Feb or March in the Florida Keys if not too late. Maybe 3-4 weeks. Time and length of trip flexible. But if it is too late this year, maybe I can xfer this info to next year. My husband may go and stay a while, and then I'll have friends (1 or 2 at a time) coming and going. In a perfect world, that is.
1. I like to kayak, bike, and do some hiking and I can lay on the beach with the best of them. I am a snorkel snob, (all over the Carib and Central America) so I will go to Pennekamp SP but am not going on this trip for that reason. I am cold and would like to be warm-ish, to have a nice-ish beach and pretty water. I am familiar with the Keys a little--spent a week camping in a trailer on Big Pine Key (nice!) and I then went all the way to Key West for a day, so no need to do that again--unless you insist otherwise!
2. I don't require night life. I don't like loud drunken people. It's nice to have a nearby restaurant and I would like a place to get fresh seafood and to be able to cook most meals, so a supermarket would be nice. A small town vibe with funky coffee shops, books stores, etc is fun to me.
I'm more of a nature girl than night-life girl, so any advice would be appreciated. Flying in From Richmond, VA I guess to MIA. So maybe upper keys?
I have a budget of $3000 for the month. More or less. NO KIDS NO PETS--fancy free! I would truly like a real cottage/house vs a condo, and I'd like a couple of bedrooms and at least 1.5 baths, but all is negotiable for the opportunity TO BE WARM-ish!
I really would be more interested in a pretty place (ie nature wise walking right out to even a teeny beach and pretty water and trees) versus amenties like golf, spa etc. Thanks and I hope I've provided enuf info for input.

SusanCS

I have no idea how much these cottages cost, but if they're in your budget, I think you'd like being in Islamorada.

themooringsvillage.com

SusanCS

And by the way, that's not my favorite; I'm hooked on Key West!

lorijv

Hi crazygirl!
I've posted a couple of ?'s about the keys/everglades too. Similar interests to yours, but just going for a week to 10 days. We are really into snorkeling. Looe Reef in the lower keys sounds like THE place. We plan to spend a couple of nights in Key West, but are having trouble deciding where to spend the rest of our time.
Any nice/charming places to stay on Big Pine? Too quiet?
We're also looking at Moorings Village on Islamorada...gets favorable reviews. Thought about Marathon, but sounds too developed.

Any thoughts?
BTW...we're coming out of Williamsburg, Va, so will probably fly out of Richmond too!

crazygrl

SUsanC, what is it abt Key West that you like so much as compared to the other keys? It is entirely possible that I've missed the boat (ha) on this, and really can keep an open mind. Thanks for the link. I'm checking out all possibilities and I think if a place looks perfect, but too expensive, well then I'll just cut the trip short and budget it that way.
LoriJV: I liked Big Pine Key because we stayed in a nice RV place there with our camper. Cute cute cute key deer EVERYWHERE! I don't think there is a lot there. We took day trips to the other keys, so did not spend a lot of time there except to sleep. We had planned to kayak and snorkel there but it was windy and too churned up from the wind to snorkel or kayak. But it was pretty and yes pretty laid back. Are you flying in to MIA or to one of the airports in the keys?

Which airport do you Key veterans prefer to fly in to? I would personally rather fly into Key West/Marathon and drive up than drive down from MIA but would like input. THANKS AGAIN!

lorijv

I was thinking of flying into Miami, then picking up a rental car. I and my girls are thinking of starting our trip with an excursion into the Everglades from the Homestead entrance. But...in mid June, might be too buggy. Still debating.

I plan to look into a flight out of KW, if the car drop-off won't be an issue.

SusieQQ

Did you check vrbo.com ? BTW, I also prefer Key West...

crazygrl

It would be great to know the reasons why one key is preferred over another. And yes I'm visiting vrbo--Thanks!

SusanCS

There are lots of reasons why we love Key West! One big thing is that it's very much a walking town. Unlike the other keys that are divided by a highway, Key West - being at the end of the line - is bike and walking friendly. There's no need for a car there at all, as all tourist attractions and restaurants are nearby. And speaking of restaurants, there are LOTS of really good ones there.

Also Key West has lots of boat traffic, and we enjoy sitting on our balcony watching boats come and go. With the exception of snorkeling - which is better farther up the keys - we feel that Key West has everything to offer and more. We've spent between 4 and 6 weeks a year there for 20 years

SusanCS

Let me add that if you decide on Key West, I wouldn't advice booking through vrbo or Craig's List. There are strict regulations that require owners in Old Town Key West to have a transient license before renting their condo or home for less than a month. If you rent through someone who doesn't have a proper license you run the risk of being forced out of your rental. Best idea is to go through a rental agency.

Craig's List is famous - I should say infamous - for bad listings in Key West. Lots of people have been taken in by listings for property that either doesn't exist or isn't owned by the person who's trying to rent it.

crazygrl

Thank you thank you Susan! I've rented thru vrbo before, but since you mentioned that license situation, that looks like it could be problematic and thank you AGAIN...will go thru proper channels and will also make sure about the license. I saw several houses for rend that "bragged" abt having the proper papers, but wasn't sure exactly what it meant.
I think I've narrowed it down to the upper keys for this time...either Islamorada or Key Largo due to the snorkeling and kayaking. But hey, I can change my mind at the drop of a hat.

SusieQQ

There are so many reasons that I love Key West....Caribbean feeling....good live theater and concerts...restaurants...unique accomodations...being able to walk everywhere...the craziness can easily be avoided...

cd

Susie, can you recommend a condo in Key West?

SusieQQ

Sorry, can't. I've only stayed in hotels or inns. Also, the Island City House, which has kitchens in it's units, a pool and beautiful grounds.

SusanCS

cd - the Galleon is a timeshare on Front Street that rents to non-owners. The location is perfect - within close walking distance of lots of restaurants and boating opportunities - but it's not as new as some other places. It does, however, have fully-equipped kitchens and washing machines and dryers. You wouldn't want to get a lock-out unit, as they're simply a bedroom + kitchen facilities with no view. We've been staying there for 20 years and love it!

http://www.galleonresort.com/

cd

Thanks Susan that looks lovely. I called and since it's a timeshare they only rent by the week and I am looking for a month.

SusieQQ

Try Island City House...lovely place with pool and kitchens.

www.islandcity.com

SusieQQ

sorry...we need an edit function on fodors...


www.islandcityhouse.com

cd

Thanks Susie, It's beautiful but I can't afford the prices.