The Florida Keys is home to many retirees from different walks of life. You can find
ex-doctors managing cafes, ex-executives selling their handmade pottery, and
ex-lawyers who own fishing charters just to name a few. These people finally
abandoned the stressful daily grind to experience a slower and more relaxing
pace of living.
The promise of warmth and sunshine
is the reason retirees flock to the
Florida Keys. Winter in the United States mainland can get brutally cold, but
in the Keys, winter is usually a mix of sunshine and cool air. Absorbing some
rays is good for your body, but don’t forget to apply enough sunscreen
especially during midday when the sun will be right above you. Another draw to
living in the Keys is the low cost of energy. Power plants in the Keys require
less energy to make steam from water unlike power plants on the mainland.
If you’re one of those who’d like
to live in an area with a close-knit community, then Big Pine is the best place
for you. The island of Big Pine prohibits development because it contains a
federally protected wildlife environment. Big Pine’s community works carefully
to maintain their locale as well as to protect the wildlife that surrounds
them. Real estate is relatively cheap and is quite a steal given the unspoiled
beauty of the environment.
The chain of islands of the Florida Keys is connected by
community bus services. You can get a ride to Florida City from Marathon by
taking a bus operated by Miami-Dade Transit. Commuters from Key West going to
Marathon can ride the bus operated by the Key West Department of
Transportation.
There are 2 airports along the Florida Keys chain of islands. They are Key West International
Airport and Florida Keys Marathon Airport. Both of them are found in Monroe
County.
Recreation in the
Florida Keys
Key Largo
You can never run out of things to
do in the Keys. You can manage your business by day and then enjoy wine while
listening to soft jazz by night. Are you more of an arts and crafts person? Key
Largo in the upper Keys offers arts and crafts classes such as pottery and
quilt making.
Marathon
Whether you’re a green thumb who
wants to fully enjoy the benefits of gardening or a novice who wants to learn
about landscaping, there’s a place for you in Marathon City. The Marathon
Garden Club offers classes on landscape design, floral arrangements, and
conservation. The club encourages its members to contribute to the city’s
beautification by improving their home’s landscape as well as that of their respective
neighborhoods.
Big Pine Key
Remember that peculiar shrub you
took a photo of? You may send that photo to the Big Pine Key Botanical Society
for identification. Better yet, join them and get firsthand lessons about
terrestrial and marine flora.
Key West
Discover Key West’s colorful
history at the Key West Museum of Art and History. Appreciate treasures and
relics recovered from shipwrecks, recognize the literary legends and artists
responsible for Key West’s vibrant history, and discover the island city’s history
as a seaport.
Islamorada
Islamorada is branded as the
Sportfishing Capital of the World. Fishing charters are found almost
everywhere. You may also book a charter for a full day, half a day, or a night
trip to catch some swordfish. Living in the Keys wouldn’t be complete without
experiencing boating and fishing.
People who have relocated to the Florida Keys
You’ll be surprised at how
retirees spend their later years in the Keys. Some retirees own dive shops,
others manage restaurants. Discover what some Keys residents are engaged with.
Who knows, you might end up establishing a business with a fellow retiree.
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon
City is the first of its kind in the world. In the early 80s, a man by the name
of Richard Moretti retired from operating a Volkswagen autobody shop and moved
to Marathon. Before settling down, he purchased a huge boat and the Buena Vista
Motel. He used the hotel’s saltwater pool to house some marine animals he had
caught. Eventually, educational tours were held at his hotel. Later on, Dr.
Elliot Jacobson was recruited by Moretti to be the veterinarian for his Turtle
Hospital. Today, the hospital admits injured turtles to be rehabilitated before
eventually returning them to the sea.
Will Soto is a 65-year old
performer at the Mallory Square in Key West. Upon his arrival in 1976, he got
intrigued by the mix of people in Key West. He saw retirees who were
ex-lawyers, ex-doctors, and ex-teachers who lived their lives far from the urban
lifestyle. Today, he tightropes at the Mallory Square three nights a week.
Maintaining good health in the Florida Keys
Hospitals and clinics are
accessible to Keys residents. Below is a list of the hospitals and clinics and
their contact numbers.
Upper Keys
Universal Medical Center (305) 248-3290
Homestead Hospital (786) 243-8000
Sunrise Community Inc. (305) 245-9018
VA Primary Care Clinic (305) 248-0874
Mariners Hospital (305) 434-3000
Middle Keys
Fisherman’s Hospital (305) 743-5533
Lower Keys
Lower Keys Medical Center (305) 294-5531
Moped Hospital (305) 292-3015
Shopping won’t be a problem in the Florida Keys. Groceries, toy shops,
dollar shops, specialty stores, and malls are dotted across the islands. Sears,
Kmart, and Florida Keys Outlet Center are accessible in the Upper, Middle, and
Lower Keys.
You can get fresh produce at a
farmer’s market in Marathon. It is right across Kmart and is open during
Saturdays at 10am. In Florida City, “Robert is Here” is another great source of
fresh produce.
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