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Kimberly G. housing

Best neighborhoods to rent in Key West?

The median home value here is around $816,300, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 25,824, Key West is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Key West sits at 391.0 per 100K. Rent is about $2,075/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Good schools
- Close to nature
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
- Homelessness issues downtown
What do you all think? Thanks for reading. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
18 upvotes

10 Replies

Landon Ross
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Fairview area are solid. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Nathan Hughes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's average.
28 upvotes
Isabelle Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.

Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Ruby Bailey
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
milwaukeeliving2023
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
Camila Morales
yep
20 upvotes
amelia_mama
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Waylon Morgan
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Eastside area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Luca James
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Elena Robinson
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great seafood places. it's been a really good experience overall.
2 upvotes
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