Key West popularity is on the Increase

Key West is booming yet again, with tourism increasing from year to year. In 2012, the island saw a bit more activity than it did in 2010, and 2011, good news for the new businesses which have cropped up in 2012 and 2013.

Key West is a popular place to live, work, and play because it’s diversity is so rich. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets make it a tranquil, relaxed environment, while its appetite for nightlife and live entertainment remains strong.

Why Key West is So Popular

The key to Key West’s popularity is its beautiful weather, recording more sunny days than anywhere else in the United States. The island is consistently caressed with a gentle breeze, courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Its high volume tourism rates make the location a great place for investment opportunities of all kinds. In 2012, there were 775 new businesses registered in Monroe County alone. Property ownership here is likewise attractive as many owners rent their homes and use them as seasonal getaways.

Home values in Key West remain steady, nearly impervious to the national real estate downturn because land is at a premium. New construction codes are strict, keeping new starts at a slow and steady pace. This is welcome news to property owners, who enjoy increased equity.

The Key West Lifestyle

Come as you are and causal fashion are staples of the area. Delightful temperatures year round mean that there’s always plenty to see and do. With very mild winters, Key West visitors and locals enjoy boating, hiking, golfing, fishing, diving, swimming, and beach lounging nearly every day of the year.

Cruisers love the island, with more than 813,000 visitors arriving in Key West in 2012 alone. Air travelers top 367,000, and many thousands more drive straight through from Miami to Key Largo, down through the Middle Keys, and right to the famous Mile 0.

Owning Property in Key West

Being a homeowner in Key West means having an investment that continually grows its equity. There is a good percentage of property owners who live on the island for just a few weeks or couple of months during the year.

Rental income is attractive as tourism continues to increase from year to year. Other property owners choose to relocate, escaping the stress of the big cities in favor of a laid-back, tropical lifestyle that is picture perfect month after month.