how can i decide which florida key to move to? (Miami: hotels, Home Depot)

[zoeylacey]

This is the closest region for me to post this question. I'm already a Florida resident. I want to move to the keys...but I can't decide which Key is right for me. This is what I'm looking for...an area that has beautiful clean beaches that are easy to access, a quiet layed back town, a divers paradise, great schools for my future children, a low key(no pun intended) place to live a quiet peaceful life and raise children where a person who loves being in the water can enjoy life. I've researched all the main keys and still can't figure out which key is right for me and my family. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by zoeylacey

This is the closest region for me to post this question. I'm already a Florida resident. I want to move to the keys...but I can't decide which Key is right for me. This is what I'm looking for...an area that has beautiful clean beaches that are easy to access, a quiet layed back town, a divers paradise, great schools for my future children, a low key(no pun intended) place to live a quiet peaceful life and raise children where a person who loves being in the water can enjoy life. I've researched all the main keys and still can't figure out which key is right for me and my family. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You'd better mention your budget and evacuation capabilities

[doggiebus]

Just so you know, there really aren't many beaches per say in the Keys. The Keys are pretty rocky. There are some beaches not many public ones, as most beaches are part of hotels which haul in the sand to make a man made beach. There are however a few public beaches, not many so that might help scale down your choices.

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by zoeylacey

This is the closest region for me to post this question. I'm already a Florida resident. I want to move to the keys...but I can't decide which Key is right for me. This is what I'm looking for...an area that has beautiful clean beaches that are easy to access, a quiet layed back town, a divers paradise, great schools for my future children, a low key(no pun intended) place to live a quiet peaceful life and raise children where a person who loves being in the water can enjoy life. I've researched all the main keys and still can't figure out which key is right for me and my family. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Key West. If not that I would suggest areas of the Upper Keys like Islamorada, Plantation Key, or Tavernier. Schools are pretty decent throughout the Keys and no matter where you go you are always close to the water. Will you be working? What will be your budget?

[brendalucas]

You must have to choose your place for your planning.

[mikealialex]

I lived in Marathon for 5 years, from 1999-2004. We lived in Key Colony Beach, just offshore from Marathon. The Key is the halfway point between Miami and Key West, and has some major retail (Home and Office Depots, KMart), an airport and fast food chains. We liked the Schools, though my Daughter was only in Kindergarten when we moved. I can tell you that if you dont drink, dont expect to find anything to do at night. Everything except the bars and restaurants closes at 7 (even Home Depot!).

[Ghostgecko]

I have to say that if you want access to stores, businesses, and a life of some sort, either Key West, or Marathon would be the one for you. Key Largo is great too, but not really DOWN in the Keys, and a lot of Miami lives there too.

I have lived as far up as Sugarloaf, and while I appreciated the quiet at night and day from the touristy city, it wasn't long before I began to miss it and then resented being so far from town, due to the fact that I work two jobs there. Not to mention the gas bill was adding up at 50 miles a day in driving.

You really do have to understand the beach thing, the water surrounding Key West fails clean tests and is usually not as pretty as it is up the keys. Islamorada was beautiful. The only really good beach I know of in the Keys is at the Truman Annex in Key West and also the Bahia Honda shores near Marathon.

Either way, be prepared for Sebring Convertibles going 35 in a 55 zone, people driving nuts as well, and lots of Floridians coming down to trash the town and drink their asses off.. It's life down here. Be prepared to have a limited selection of shops and restaurants, and also places to go.

But if you love it as much as you say you do, you'll figure out the rest when you get here. That's what most of us did...And I moved from HAWAII to here...

[twofish423]

My husband and I moved to Marathon from the Jersey Shore in late '04, just in time for 4 hurricanes in '05! But we've never looked back. Absolutely love it. We own two charter fishing businesses. If you come, either bring some $$ reserves with you or have a job lined up. Paradise ain't cheap. Gecko has some very good points. We've seen people come and not stay long, especially young women who leave when the mall-withdrawal overcomes them. But if you enjoy fishing, snorkeling, diving, swimming, boating, bike riding, kayaking, walking, observing nature and hanging with friendly, laid-back people, come on down. As for nothing to do after 7 pm other than go to a bar, I know for a fact the movie theater in Marathon is open until at least 11. And, I guess Mike never enjoyed one of Crane Point's star-gazing events. Or the sunset celebration at Dolphin Research Center. How about tarpon fishing or snapper fishing at night. We also have a very talented local theater group that puts on shows year-round. At night. Or - what's wrong with swinging in the hammock with your sweetie under the tropical evening sky? Yes, drinking is a sport down here. No doubt about it. But there's plenty else to do. And, plenty of friendly, laid-back people to do it with. When you want to really rip it up - Key West is just an hour away. When you want some culture, museums, big-name concerts, etc., you have Miami and Ft. Lauderdale a couple of hours away.

[TBKeys]

If you want to go down to lower Keys which is Key West and vicinities get ready for evacuation plans because most of the Hurricanes when the Keys gets hit is down in Key West, also if you are a family person like me Key West should be out of the question this is the San Francisco of Florida if you know what I mean.
Schools are great in the Keys only know about 3 of them though that my kids attend Key Largo rated A+ school located in upper Key Largo, Plantation School in Tavernier also rated A+ and for your high schoolers Coral Shores HS rated B school which is good for a high school in Florida.
Also depends on your budget the lower to the Keys you go the more you pay and believe me prices are high but still going down.

[tallrick]

Don't do it, unless you are independantly wealthy this is the wrong time to move here. If you do you will be sorry...