Although they are a "world apart" from the rest of the United States, the Florida Keys are accessible by car, aircraft or boat. The Lower Keys start at the 7 Mile Bridge and continue to Key West.
The Lower Keys boasts its tranquil beauty and is an area rich in variety and complete in its support facilities and amenities. Don't miss the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge, the Bat Tower and the Blue Hole. There are a variety of motels, resorts, marinas and a feast of restaurants and shopping centers.
It's just a quick drive to Key West. This historic city anchors the Keys and is well known for its quaint architecture, annual festivals, shopping, and entertainment.
General Climate Information:
| Mean Winter Temp. |
72° F |
| Mean Summer Temp. |
83° F |
| Average Rel. Humidity |
67% |
| Frost |
Never Recorded! |
| Annual Rainfall |
40" |
| Air Quality |
No pollen, no pollution |
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| MAP OF THE LOWER KEYS |
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LOCAL BUSINESSES
We support these local vendors
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Go to the Local Businesses Page.
| HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE
Cost of utilities is relatively low.
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New residents need to connect electricity, water, telephone, and
cable services. Finding the appropriate phone numbers, branch locations and being
prepared for sign - up requirements can be tough.
Here is a guide to help you get comfortable.
ELECTRIC
For residents in the Upper Keys, contact Florida Keys Electric Co-op
Association for electrical service.
Make time during the day to reach the electric company in Tavernier and
Marathon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday. New residents pay a $150 deposit, $20 service fee, $5 for
membership and sign a contract.
When connecting new service for a business, the electric company bases your
deposit on the usage of the previous tenant. A contract is required for
service.
The co-op provides service from Key Largo to the Seven Mile Bridge.
Upper Keys
Florida Keys Electric Co-op Association, 91605 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier
305-852-2431
Middle Keys
Florida Keys Electric Co-op Association, 3421 Overseas Hwy., Marathon
305-743-5344
If you live in the Lower Keys or Key West, contact Keys Energy Services.
Keys Energy Services is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday except
Wednesday when it opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
New customers pay a deposit of $125 by cash or check and a $15 service
charge. Prior customers may pay $75 with a good payment history. Customers
must show a rent receipt, lease agreement or a copy of a deed.
Identification is required.
Business accounts require a two-month deposit based upon electricity usage of the previous tenant, an copy of the lease agreement and identification.
Key West & Lower Keys
Keys Energy Services, 1001 James St., Key West 305-295-1000
WATER
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority provides water service to everyone living in the Keys, its offices are open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Customers leasing their residence are expected to present a copy of their lease, identification and social security number. Property owners must show a deed or tax bill for service.
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority customers pay a $10 base fee. Homeowners that use up to 6,000 gallons a month pay $4.14 per 1,000 gallons. Customers who use more than 6,000 gallons, but less than 12,000 gallons, pay $6.06 per 1,0000 gallons. After that the rate goes up to $6.81 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
Upper Keys 91620 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, 305-852-8068
Middle Keys 3200 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, 305-743-5409
Lower Keys 100 Kennedy Dr., Key West, 305-296-2454
TELEPHONE
Bell South provides local telephone service in the Keys. Bell South is open
seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Bell South
Residential, 305-780-2355 - Business, 305-780-2800
If you prefer to use a cell phone, you can contact several different
companies for service: Sprint,
(888) 253-1315; AT&T, (888) 290-4613; Cingular Wireless, (800) 351-2400; or
Verizon Wireless, (800) 868-2700.
CABLE
COMCAST provides cable television to the Keys. Services and costs vary depending on location, but the Basic cable plan (12 Channels) costs about $13 / month and the Standard cable plan is about $40 / month. There is a $28 standard installation fee.
COMCAST, 800-568-1212
GARBAGE SERVICES
In all of Monroe County except Key West, garbage services are assessed on the county property tax bill in the ad valorem section. Everyone pays $292 a year except Islamorada who pay $240 a year. In Key West, bills are sent out monthly for $22.50.
Pickup days vary according to neighborhood. Contact us for more details.
INSURANCE TIPS
Three types of insurance cover the Homeowner.
The first step in insuring a Keys home is to determine its replacement cost. This refers only to how much it would cost to rebuild the home. In the Keys, homeowners with a mortgage are required to have three types of insurance.
- 1) Homeowners insurance
- Most people are familiar with this type of insurance. The big difference is that in the Keys, this excludes wind damage. This type of insurance protects owners against fire, theft and liability.
- 2) Windstorm Insurance
- This protection covers damage to the house caused by a windstorm. The only windstorm coverage available to Keys homeowners is through the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation – a state-sponsored program. Windstorm coverage gives credits for strong roof construction and the existence of hurricane shutters. The windstorm policy most often covers damage to roofs, porches, patios and overhangs.
- 3) Flood Insurance
- The only insurer against flood damage in the Keys is the National Insurance Flood Program, a federal policy administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration. This type of insurance covers damage caused by rising tidal water or ground saturated with rain water.
Lower Florida Keys Homes for Sale
Homes, Building Lots, and Real Estate for sale in the Florida Keys.
Note: all phone numbers are Area Code (305)
PRINT MEDIA
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| Key West Citizen | 292-7777 |
| Solares Hill | 294-3602 |
| Celebrate | 295-8982 |
| El Faro | 296-3719 |
| The City Paper | 293-1980 |
| Key West The Newspaper | 292-2108 |
| Miami Herald | 294-5131 |
| Marathon Free Press | 743-8766 |
| News Barometer | 872-0106 |
| Florida Keys Keynoter | 743-5551 |
| Islamorada Free Press | 664-2266 |
| The Reporter | 852-3216 |
| Independent Newspaper | 451-1887 |
| The Times | 543-5454 |
RADIO STATIONS
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| WAIL/99 FM, Key West | 296-7511 |
| WAVK/105.5 FM,Marathon | 743-3434 |
| WCNK/98.7 CONCH FM, Big Pine Key | 872-0474 |
| WCTH/100.3 FM, Islamorada | 664-1003 |
| WEOW/92.7 FM, Key West | 296-7511 |
| WFFG/1300 AM, Marathon | 743-5563 |
| WFKZ/SUN 103.1 FM, Tavernier | 852-9085 |
| WHS/ISLAND 107 FM, Key West | 292-1071 |
| WKEY/93.5 FM, Key West | 296-7511 |
| WKEZ/EZ 96.9 FM, Tavernier | 664-1003 |
| WKIZ/1500 AM, Key West | 296-4969 |
| WKWF/1600 AM, Key West | 296-7511 |
| WKYZ/101.3 FM, Marathon | 289-1013 |
| WMKL/91.7 CALL FM, Key Largo | 451-0301 |
| WPIK/PIK’N 102.5 FM, Cudjoe Key | 745-9988 |
| WWUS/US1 104.1 FM, Big Pine Key | 872-9100 |
COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLINICS
· Health Care Center
1200 Kennedy Drive, Key West, FL 33040
(305)-292-6885
· Roosevelt Sands Clinic
105 Olivia Street, Key West, FL 33040
(305)-293-1741
· Ruth Irvins Center
3333 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
(305)-289-2708
· Tavernier Public Health Unit
148 Georgia Avenue, Tavernier, FL 33070
(305)-853-3240
HOSPITALS
· Florida Keys Medical Center
5900 College Road, Key West, FL 33040
(305)-294-5531
· Fisherman’s Hospital
3301 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
(305)-743-5533
· Mariner’s Hospital
Mile Marker 91.5, Tavernier, FL 33070
(305)-852-4418
| RECIPES
Local Fare
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| KEYS KRITTERS
Lee and Sunnie's favorite Keys Kritters. |
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