Comments on: Why People Visit the Florida Keys, and Never Leave

By: John Public

John Public — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 06:36:39 +0000

On your statements, ‘Cuzzy Moto’:
1) ‘sure, there are tourists and some negative things’, and
2) tourists will destroy everything

Your neighbors who work at CVS, the waiters, the bartenders were collectively rude to the extent on this trip that I won’t come back again. I’ve been here 5 times, I’ll not do the 6th. I come here for the gay resort, not to bother anyone or anything.

Goods were falling out of my hands at the drug store, where I asked where the baskets were. She actually performed a hostile dance in front of me after speaking 500 words of English, claiming she did not understand, to brush me off. 80-100 additional words of English to me after.

I absolutely feel the negative presence we tourists bring. Never again to your town.

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 19:14:07 +0000

In reply to Cuzzy Moto. Thanks, Cuzzy! I certainly enjoyed my time in Key West, not so long ago. I saw a very open social scene. Then again I was only passing through. So it's great to hear it from a long-time local!

By: Cuzzy Moto

Cuzzy Moto — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:44:11 +0000

I was born and raised in Key West, and so was my father and grandfather. It is one of the most beautiful and magical places on the earth and definitely in the country. Sure, there are tourists and some negative things, but overall it’s still one the most amazing places on earth. The bike rides, the sunsets, the islands, the ocean and of course the people. I have no idea what all the racism talk is about. Key West accepts ALL. If you have ever been you know this. Sure, it’s changed over the years and it’s lost of the old school funky vibe but it still has magic. I promise you that. Unfortunately, money, greed and tourists will eventually erase everything. ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN!

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 17:01:33 +0000

In reply to Yer Blues. You're not wrong about this; to make money in Key West you need certain skill sets that are applicable to the area and its micro-economy. Perhaps it's why the people who have found a way to make life work in the Florida Keys in general, love it so much.

By: Yer Blues

Yer Blues — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 03:58:31 +0000

I first became aware of KW watching a BBC documentary on PBS here in Los Angeles in 1994. That started something of an infatuation that I had with Key West that lasted for well over a decade. I finally managed to visit in 2005. It has a certain uniqueness about it, and I can see why it drew many artists and creative types in times gone by, much like NYC did in the 1950s-1970s. But like NYC and Los Angeles, gentrification has created an environment that no artist can afford to live in unless they’re from a rich family / trust-fund baby. Key West is worse off since it has no job market to speak of outside of retail / tourist stuff. It really doesn’t matter how many college degrees / skills you have in Key West; you’ll be trying to get the same part-time low wage job as the high school grad.

In 2019, Key West is a place to bring money to, not to make money. In other words, come for a visit, but think twice about moving there.

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 04:55:11 +0000

In reply to Lurch. Hey Lurch, Interesting! Are you still curious about living there?

By: Lurch

Lurch — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 00:11:04 +0000

Went there in 1997 and 1999 and almost stayed both times.

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:06:39 +0000

In reply to Ben. Hey Ben, Yeah, as much as I'd like to check out Key West more as a place to hang my hat for a while, I gathered it might cost a pretty penny.

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:05:39 +0000

In reply to Ben.

Hey Ben,
Thanks for weighing in! And you’re right – unfortunately racism exists everywhere, to different degrees.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 13 May 2016 22:26:44 +0000

P.S. key west is a great place to visit unfortunately it’s high cost of living kills many dreams of becoming a conch.