Key West area..any advice? (Miami: apartments, for rent, hotels)

[minnesotagirl00]

I know this is a Miami forum, but I thought I would give it a shot since we are talking south Florida here

Currently, I live in MN, but will be graduating from college in May. I hope to move away (hopefully by July or August) for approximately a year or so before find myself a "real" job.

I am considering Key West. I love the atmosphere and environment there. I wouldn't mind waitressing or working in a little shop. I have even looked into some of the full time positions at resorts and hotels. I know I might have to work a couple of jobs to survive, but that is ok.

Is this a good idea? I have searched all over the internet for apartments or rooms for rent, and have had little luck.

If anyone has any advice for me, on any aspect of this, that would be wonderful. is anyone from the area?

any help would be great! Thanks

[illini84]

Hmmm...I'm not from Key West, but what I've heard around Miami--it's very expensive and touristy--mostly older gay men--but lots of fun. You can get by anywhere if you work enough...good luck!

[island mermaid]

I know a few people that work there in restaurants & bars. They make pretty decent money but they've told me that they can't afford to live on key West so they live on other less expensive keys and commute back and forth.
Do it now while you're young! Perfect timing, you'll have a blast!

Best of luck to you!

[98stage2]

Where do they live that's cheaper than Key West yet still a manageable commute? Are there still some affordable Keys islands down there? *fingers crossed*

[CeCe26]

Hi, I lived in Key West for two and a half years. I personally loved it there. It's very expensive - one bedroom apartment is $1200 - 1300 per month. If you find a roommate and live in a bigger apartment- at least $700 - 800. The weather is tropical - very, very, very hot summers (up to 100 degrees), non existent winters (the lowest temperatures are around 60s -70s in dec and january). The high season is January - April. If you are waitress you will make plenty of cash for a couple of months. The rest of the year is pretty much dead - especially august - november (except for labor day and fantasy fest in Oct.). The island is 4x2 miles, you don't really need a car. I personally had a scooter and it was more than enough. Many people live in Old Town and only have bikes. It's a really laid back place.

Overall Key West is a very cool place. There are many bars, restaurants, cafes. No beaches though. Watersports are popular here - scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding. There are many young people, you will make many friends if you want to. I personally loved living there, the positives outweighed the negatives. Try Key West Citizen classifieds for apartments and jobs. It has a website too. If you have any specific questions, you may PM me.

[joybecker]

I am a minnesotan also who would love to live in the Keys my honey works for the power company here what kind of power runs the keys?

Are health care jobs plentiful with so many oldsters i would assume they are.

This is the 1st time i've ever answered anything

[Cougar Beach]

Health care jobs in Key West plentiful? I seriously doubt it. There is the Lower Keys Medical Center. You can look them up and see if they're hiring.

It seems like there have been a lot of summer hurricane evacuations recently. That makes health care more of an adventure.

Given the high humidity and storm risk, don't bring your irreplaceable antiques.

The upper and middle keys have an electrical cooperative: Florida Keys Electric Cooperative

The lower keys has Keys Energy Services: Keys Energy Service

Why do you want to restart your lives in the keys? Have you spent much time there? Is this a spur-of-the-moment thing? I think it would be cool to live in Key West for a while, but I've seen way too many starry-eyed mainlanders uprooting their lives to move to Maui, then not being able to deal with island life, and going back home after a year.

Employment prospects are limited in Key West. Tourism is the big thing, but the jobs don't pay well. If you have specific qualifications and there's a job available for you, then great. Just really think about what you're getting into, though.

[glovaz]

wow it seems like anything close to the ocean is untouchable! Im from Puerto Rico and now live in NC, but miss the beach!! and cat find a good place to move to geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[rogerbacon]

Originally Posted by CeCe26

There are many bars, restaurants, cafes. No beaches though.

I'm pretty sure there's a beach along the way from teh airport to the tourist area. I was there just a couple of weeks ago. I only saw it from the taxi but it sure looked like a beach to me.

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

I'm pretty sure there's a beach along the way from teh airport to the tourist area. I was there just a couple of weeks ago. I only saw it from the taxi but it sure looked like a beach to me.

Smathers Beach ... or something like that ... not the nicest beach in Florida , but a beach nonetheless !!