Key West Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Key West, Monroe County, Florida, United States |
| 👥 Population |
26,000 (increases significantly during peak tourist season) |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 150-300 Mbps; high-speed fiber available via Xfinity and AT&T |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Wells Fargo (430 Duval St), Chase (3401 Northside Dr) |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Safe to drink; provided by Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority |
| 🔌 Power |
120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card |
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon; $40-60 for unlimited data plans |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Revolut, Wise, or local accounts with US Tax ID/SSN; Apple Pay widely accepted |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
High demand. Options: Kimpton Key West, NYAH Guesthouse, or monthly vacation rentals |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, nearly 100% of establishments accept cards/contactless |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, VRBO; Note: City-wide 30-day minimum rule for many residential zones |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Seashell Motel & International Hostel (718 South St) - Approx. $60-90/night for bunks |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Old Town (Historic District) for proximity to Duval Street and Mallory Square |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
New Town or Midtown for lower prices ($3,500+/mo) and easier grocery access |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
The Hub Key West (1200 4th St) - Day passes approx. $35, Monthly approx. $350 |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Keys Coffee Co (505 Southard St) - Great Wi-Fi, ample seating, and strong cold brew |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Key West Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' monthly mixers |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Daily sunset celebrations at Mallory Square; 'Key West Digital Nomads' Facebook group |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Uber and Lyft are very active; local 'Basics Taxi' (305-296-6666) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Eaton Bikes (830 Eaton St) - $15-20/day; Pirate Scooter Rentals - $50/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park - Best water clarity ($6 entry fee) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Silver Airways (Flights to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Bahamas) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
American Eagle, Delta (Connections via EYW to ATL, CLT, MIA) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
US-1 (The Overseas Highway) connects to the mainland Florida |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Key West International Airport (EYW); No train service (Amtrak stops in Miami) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Key West Transit - $4 for a 1-day pass, $25 for a 7-day pass |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
The Key West Express ferry to Fort Myers Beach (approx. $170 round trip) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Lower Keys Medical Center (5900 College Rd) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Shakti Yoga Key West (1114 White St) - $25 drop-in classes |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Stay Fit Studio (80 Tiverton Ln); Old Town Fitness (1010 Truman Ave) - $20 day pass |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
The Laundry Bar (528 Margaret St) - Self-service with Wi-Fi and beer bar |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
UberEats, DoorDash, and local service 'Key West Delivery' |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Key Lime Pie at Blue Heaven; Conch Fritters at B.O.'s Fish Wagon |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
The Cafe (509 Southard St) - Vegan Kung Pao Tofu and veggie burgers |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe (200 Elizabeth St) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Publix Super Market at Key West Shopping Center; Winn-Dixie (Budget alternative) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon (Prime delivery takes 2-3 days due to island logistics) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Instacart (Publix/Winn-Dixie) and Walmart+ delivery |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Duval Street (Sloppy Joe's, Irish Kevin's, Green Parrot Bar) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Waterfront Brewery (201 William St) - Key West Crazy Lady Honey Blonde Ale |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Vinos on Duval (810 Duval St) - $10-15 per glass by the porch |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Garbo's Grill (409 Caroline St) - Famous tacos from a food truck |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
El Siboney (900 Catherine St) - Authentic Cuban cuisine; Pescado (Thai/Seafood) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Southernmost Point Buoy (Corner of Whitehead and South St) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (907 Whitehead St) - $18 entry |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Harry S. Truman Little White House (111 Front St) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea (1010 Windsor Ln) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Fantasy Fest (October); Hemingway Days & Lookout Contest (July) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Bahama Village (Petronia St) - Historic Afro-Caribbean neighborhood |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Tennessee Williams Theatre; Red Barn Theatre |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Artisan Market (bi-weekly at 1100 Atlantic Blvd) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
The Green Parrot Bar - Legendary live music, blues, and funk |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Key West Mural on the side of the Cuban Coffee Queen (284 Margaret St) |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Isle Cook Key West (717 Simonton St) - Chef-led demonstrations |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Gallery on Greene (606 Greene St); 7 Artists & Friends (213 Simonton St) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Key West Custom House (Museum of Art & History) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The 'Conch Republic' flag representing the 1982 symbolic secession |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Dry Tortugas National Park (Access by ferry or seaplane only) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Everglades National Park (Approx. 2.5 hours driving north) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail; Smathers Beach Promenade |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
The Top at La Concha Hotel (Highest point on the island) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden (5500 College Rd) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Generally prohibited on local beaches; check Higgs Beach for permitted gatherings |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
UPS Store (1107 Key Plaza), FedEx Office (3410 Northside Dr) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
The Mac Outlet (for Apple products); Office Depot for general tech |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Bernstein Park Community Center (Stock Island) |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Monroe County Lifestyle Adult Education (offers ESOL/Spanish) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Key West Library (700 Fleming St) - Free Wi-Fi and quiet workspaces |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Gato Building (1100 Simonton St) - Government and community services |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Retro Room (Wine & Beer bar with vintage video games) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Nearest legal casino is Miccosukee Resort in Miami (3 hours away) |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $16,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $640,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $440,000 in Stock Island) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $15,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $930,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $10,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $630,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $14,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,120,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $760,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
FL State Corporate Tax 5.5%; Federal Corporate Tax 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
0% for US residents (FL has no state income tax); 30% for non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System |
No State Income Tax in Florida; Federal tax applies to worldwide income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
37% (Federal Level only; no state income tax in Florida) |
| 🧾 VAT |
No VAT; sales tax is 7.5% in Monroe County (6% state + 1.5% local) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply to US tax residents |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Approx. 1% of assessed value annually; varies slightly by district |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Doc stamps on deeds at $0.70 per $100 of value |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Very attractive for domestic nomads due to 0% State Income Tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING KEY WEST