Food and Drink
- 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)
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, DoorDash, and local service 'Key West Delivery'
Culture and Attractions
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
Essentials
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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