going to the Keys!
 

Hi! My fiance and I are traveling to the Keys on the 15th of Aug. We haven't made any firm plans to stay anywhere as we are looking to hopefully meet and talk to locals <BR>and get an insite in to relocating to the islands. As we are from the Adirondacks we hope to find some "off the beaten path" type <BR>lodging and drinking establishments! <BR>Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! <BR>Thanks! <BR>

Karen, <BR>Do a search on this site. It's late in the day and my fingers are tired, so I can't cover all the ground you ask. Once you've done a search, I think you'll narrow down your quest. there's lots of good info here. Come back with more specific requests. Just a general observation -- it's going to be H O T.

Our daughter has lived there for 20 + years...it's expensive and pay scales are not the best. It would help if you had a good skill/job. It took her awhile to get established and she's worked 2 jobs many times. Rents are very high, or the places that are cheaper are not too great. Check out WWW.KEYWEST.COM and you might get more information.

KEY WEST IS THE BEST! <BR> <BR>Wicker Guesthouse on Duval St. is excellent. They're website is: www.wickerhousekw.com. <BR> <BR>Any bar on Duval Street is great. <BR> <BR>Have a ball! I am jealous!

But karen, if your boyfriend isn't gay, why are you moving him to Key West? <BR>Or maybe he is and he WANTS to move to Key West to conveniently stretch his wings without you knowing it---until its too late. Hmmmm. <BR>

Thank you all for your reply! Molly, looked into Wickerhouse and it sounds perfect..thank you! <BR>Bruce, I am not here to discuss mine or anyone else sexually preferences... <BR>To each is own. <BR>

Bruce, I say this as a friend of the Keys and the people who visit AND live there: <BR>Please keep yourself and your narrow mind OUT of the Keys. <BR>Thank you.

Key West and the Keys are a nice place to visit, but...my sister and her husband have lived there for 20 years and it's still a struggle. They make $55,000 per year but can't afford to buy a house ( adecent one in Key West is more than $200,000); they pay $1000 per month for a one bedroom apartment in Old Town. <BR> <BR>My brother-in-law works at the Post Office (as I do) and he says they lose 20 employees per year on average because they move down there after a vacation, get a Post Office transfer, and then can't take the cost of living. <BR> <BR>I live in Orlando and used to think about moving to the Keys, but now I just consider it a nice place to visit a few times per year!

My husband and I both love Key West. But the first time we were there, we picked up a real estate book at the airport that listed a 1,000 square foot house in Old Town for around a million dollars. That's a good indication of real estate prices. I can't imagine living there and having to earn enough to support that cost of living.

Karen- if you are intent on moving to Key West, the prices are very high. However, if you look into other areas (particularly Key Largo, Marathon, Big Pine Key)the prices are more reasonable (although still higher than most places in Florida).

Hi everyone! Yes...we have looked at the prices/cost of living in Key West...we plan to look at all the Keys during our stay..not just Key West! <BR>I think I am more drawn to Marathon or Key Largo. Maybe live on Big Pine Key... <BR>I guess that's why we haven't made reservations anywhere..so we can just do all the Keys..get the feel of them. <BR>One reason why we wanted to find out places that the "locals" hang... <BR>Anyway...thanks so much for all the info so far! <BR>