View Full Version : Key West Florida
Are any of you Floridians familiar with Key West? What's it like finding work there? Is there cheap housing? I'm thinking of a move but I'd like some input first. Thank you. Patrick
W4HAY
08-09-2008, 07:02 PM
How limp is your wrist? How light can you walk in your loafers? :D
w9mpc
08-09-2008, 08:22 PM
I looked into it about 8 years ago. Spent about six weeks getting acclimated until circumstances brought me back to Indiana. Jobs were plentiful in the service industry--$10-15/ hr. Within the first couple days I found a job paying a bit better than that, a marina on Stock Island (2 miles N. of Key West) where the slip fee was $300/ mo. + electric, and a small houseboat there that I could buy for $30k. I also found any number of housemates (male and female) who were willing to split costs.
So yeah, it's possible. A moped will get you anywhere on the island as fast (though not necessarilly as dry) as a car.
Someone referenced the openness of the Gay Community; true enough, they are there in abundance. If that sort of thing bothers you, look elsewhere. If not, between the weather, the fishing, the food (conch fritter on Cuban bread!!) and the laid back attitude, Key West is hard to beat!
The Halloween bash is a must-see when you're down there; it's an experience to be sure. One year my dad dressed up as a flasher: he wore a trenchcoat, long underwear, and had a large salami hanging by a string from his waist. (I'd upload the pics but I'd incur the wrath of the QRZ gods.) He was a big hit. His wifoid didn't do too badly, either, dressed up as Miss (S&M) Universe.
W1GUH
08-09-2008, 10:18 PM
If you look like Hemingway, you can enter the look-alike contest.
KC7ATO
08-10-2008, 01:49 AM
Nick Nolte likes the place and if you're at all "artistic" you may have a future in "Body Painting"!
KG6WOU
08-11-2008, 01:54 AM
It's pretty expensive living there - housing is higher than mainland, food is pricier as you are at the end of a long dead-end road.
Within the island, a scooter is all you will need to get around unless you have heavy freight to carry. And given fuel prices, it would be a good idea. My brother had two of 'em - one for him and one for his wife, their cars sat quite a bit of the time.
But the place is pretty laid back and cool, they serve booze in the strip bars and I've had worse times.
It's usually humid as all get out, so AC is everywhere almost - but night time is very pleasant.
My brother has lived there for years and loves it down there. I've only been once but it was a good experience.
Hurricanes can be a frequent and expensive visitor - my brother had to re-do his lower floor twice since he's lived there. The island just is not that far above mean sea level so storm surges just sort of wash over the top.
The Conch Republic.