Guide to Key Largo Living
Living in the Florida Keys is a dream come true for many people, all with the desire to enjoy the soft white sands, rolling turquoise waves, and laid back attitude. The Florida Keys Search team is excited to tell you the best kept secret: living in Key Largo doesn’t have to just be a dream! Whether you’ve been searching for a tropical primary residence or vacation home, Key Largo is ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and trade it for a relaxed environment right on the water. If you’ve been thinking about moving to Key Largo, congrats! You’ve already taken the first step towards enjoying everything the Florida Keys has to offer. Utilize this guide to better understanding what life is like in Key Largo, activities and excursions to enjoy, travel, and more!
Traveling To Key Largo
The Florida Keys are a string of islands off the coast of the southern tip of Florida, residing right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Typically there are two options for people looking to travel to Key Largo. You can either:
Fly into Key West International Airport (EYW) and then travel roughly two and a half hours to Key Largo via car.
or
Fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), and travel roughly an hour and fifteen minutes to Key Largo via car.
As Key Largo is a part of the Upper Keys, we strongly recommend traveling via Miami over the Overseas Highway, as this will provide you with the easiest and smoothest ride into Key Largo. Keep in mind that most streets, including the Overseas Highway, are one lane. This can make travel very difficult during holiday weekends and the busy season, so it’s important to be aware if planning on moving.
What Is Key Largo’s Busy Season?
The Florida Keys are a tourist destination due to their stunning vistas, unbelievable weather (you’ll rarely find the temperature drop below 35 and rise above 100), world-class fishing, amazing snorkeling, delicious food, and remarkable local venues you absolutely need to visit. For that reason, it’s an ideal location for visitors to travel and get away from harsh winters and stressful lives. Key Largo sees its busy season during winter, typically running from November to February with spikes periodically throughout the year, particularly during Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, and the 4th of July.
What’s There To Do In Key Largo?
You’ll quickly come to discover that Key Largo’s fun stems from the water! Surrounded by both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, there’s plenty of activities to uncover everywhere you turn. Some of the most popular things residents of Key Largo enjoy include:
Unbelievable Fishing
Put simply: fishing in Key Largo is truly unrivaled. With opportunities to go freshwater fishing off the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades, as well as deep sea saltwater fishing, everyone from the beginner fisher to the skiller angler will have the time of their life. Take your boat out and take on the challenge of catching exotic and rare species such as Dolphin, Sailfish, Marlin, Bonefish, Tarpon, and Wahoo. Don’t have your own boat yet? No problem! There are plenty of highly experienced captains ready to charter you out. They’ve spent their whole lives out on the waters of the Florida Keys and know the ideal spots to drop a line. If you’re looking to spend your days fishing, look no further than Key West.
Diving & Snorkeling Vistas
Key Largo offers several unique diving and snorkeling opportunities for you to explore firsthand. Journey to John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park for the opportunity to see one of the last naturally occurring coral reefs in the U.S. and the world! You’ll also have a chance to see the Christ of the Abyss, a massive bronze statue 25 feet under sea level that has integrated itself with the local coral reef ecosystem.
Additionally, if you’re an experienced diver you can come face to face with the USS Spiegel Grove, a retired Navy landing ship that was intentionally scuttled to become a manmade coral reef right off the coast of Key Largo. While it is a remarkable sight, we strongly recommend only highly skilled divers attempt to visit it, as it’s very easy to get lost within.
Fresh Eats Everywhere You Go
What else could one expect from a town right on the water besides fresh, delicious seafood? Key Largo is home to a number of unique, one of a kind restaurants right on the water, all offering fresh catches they get in the same day. Forget about regular chain restaurants and take in the unbelievable tastes and flavors of the Florida Keys!
Slow It Down And Go With The Flow
While living in the Florida Keys, there’s one key rule: take it easy. You’re here to relax, unwind, and enjoy the Florida Keys—but to do that you have to dial it back. Go beach hopping and take a seat in the soft sands while you feel the cool ocean breeze brush against your skin. The sound of crashing waves, the sun peacefully rising and setting against the water, it all works in conjunction to help your stress levels melt away. You came to the Florida Keys in search of peace, and you’ll find it in Key Largo.
What Is Hurricane Season?
If you’ve never lived in South Florida, you may have noticed something called “Hurricane Season”. But what is it, and how long does it last?
Hurricanes are large storm patterns that start out small winds that blow off the western coast of Africa. These winds continue circling and gaining speed, until they reach 74 miles per hour consistently. Between June 1st and November 30th each year there is the highest chance of a hurricane forming and making its way towards the Florida Keys and the rest of the Southeastern United States. Based on typical patterns, hurricanes have a very high chance of directly impacting the Florida Keys and South Florida. While there has not been a major storm to pass through in several years, it is still something you should be aware of.
Housing Inventory in Key Largo
Much like the rest of the country, housing inventory in Key Largo has been limited since the beginning of the pandemic. It may seem impossible to find the right home by yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Florida Keys Search team is here to help you find your dream home—simply view our available listings, or contact us today to learn how we can help you turn your dream of living in the Florida Keys into a reality!