Living in Key Largo, Florida

Are you considering a move to Key Largo, FL? Make sure you know these seven things about living in Key Largo, FL.

Home to the world's second-largest artificial reef, Key Largo is the first and northernmost of the Florida Keys. Key Largo is an incorporated area and census-designated place in Monroe County. This city is located on the Island of Key Largo in the upper Florida Keys and is home to about 12,447 residents. Known as a gateway to paradise, this city has unique qualities where you will be in awe of the beauty and never want to leave. 

Key Largo was known as Rock Harbour before, but after it became famous in the 1948 movie "Key Largo," it changed its name. Life here has been compared to as if you are living in paradise. With so many things to do, this city makes be the perfect place for you whether you are searching for job opportunities, excellent education, beautiful views, some of the best beaches, and so much more! You will never get bored here and will always be welcomed by the community of friendly residents. 

So if you are interested in moving to Key Largo, you are in the perfect place. Moving somewhere new comes with many things to consider, which can be a to at once. Since moving can be stressful, our team has created a moving guide that includes some of the top things you need to know about life in Key Largo, Florida. Keep reading to learn more about moving to Key Largo and all of the amazing things it offers so you can make your decision easier. 

Here are the 7 things that you need to know about life in Key Largo!

Cost of Living

Key Largo's cost of living is 8 percent lower than the national average. The cost of living is broken down into many different aspects, such as housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and more. Overall, the cost of living is about $3,117 a month, which is in the top 0.3 percent of the most expensive cities in the world.

The overall housing expenses are 37 percent lower than the national average; utility prices are 3 percent lower, transportation and expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 0 percent and groceries are about 8 percent higher than the national average. The total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult living in Key Largo is about $46,025 a year.

Sourced from Payscale.

Real Estate

The median listing price for homes in Key Largo is about $1,784,312, trending up 17.6 percent year-over-year. On average, homes will stay on the market for about 79 days; right now, it is considered a buyer's market. The housing costs are considered to be generally lower than the national average, so that is something that you should keep in mind when searching for homes for sale.

However, you should remember that housing costs do vary depending on the location, size, and type of house. Housing costs are more affordable here than in other cities in Florida, and on the plus side, the area has low property tax and no state income, making the costs lower. If you are interested in moving to this area, you should check out single-family homes for sale, townhomes for sale, or new construction homes for sale in Key Largo. Keep up to date with the real estate trends to ensure you get the best options out there.

Weather

In Key Largo, the summers are hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy, while the winters are very short, comfortable, humid, windy, and mostly clear skies. Over the entire year, the temperates typically will range from 63 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and is rarely below 52 degrees Fahrenheit or even above 92 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time of the year here is about mid-November to mid-April. 

The hot season here will last about 4 months, with the hottest month being August, and the cold months last about 3 months, with January being the coldest. On the other hand, the wettest months last about 5 months, from May to October, with an average of 18.1 days of precipitation. Since this city is located on the Island, you need to be aware of hurricanes and other natural disasters as well. 

Education

Key Largo offers public, private, and Montessori Educational Centers. This county has received an "A" rating since 2008 from the Florida Department of Education. This district offers 12 Preschools, 6 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle Schools, and 11 Private Schools. Schools in this district are ranked 5/10, which is the bottom 50 percent of Florida public schools.

On the other hand, the minority enrollment in this school district is about 63 percent, which is a little lower than the Florida public school average. However, since Key Largo is located near other bigger cities, most of the time, you will be able to locate your child in other nearby schools if that is what would be best for you.

The student-to-teacher ratio is about 13:1, and has an overall math proficiency of 61 percent and a reading proficiency of 60 percent. Overall, Florida's education system ranks among the best nation because of the work of the teachers, students, and parents. Making sure you find the best schools is essential when moving somewhere near. Below are some of the best schools in Key Largo.

Crime Rates

If you are looking for a very laid-back, casual, and quiet community, this may be the place for you. The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in Key Largo, like armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, or murder, is 1 in 289. The overall crime rate is about 65 percent lower than the national average. However, it is rated a grade C but is also about 55 percent safer than other nearby cities.

Overall, the crime rates here are very low, especially when compared to other larger Florida cities. People who live here tend to say that the further south you are from the area, the safer you will be. However, finding somewhere where you can feel safe is essential when living somewhere, and thankfully here in Key Largo, you will be safe. 

Dining

Key Largo has a very diverse scene of food and many dining options that vary. Some of the most popular foods known here are fresh seafood, key lime pie, Latin cuisine, and various food trucks. On the other hand, this Island does have various grocery stores and supermarkets like Publix where you can purchase food.

The Florida Keys offers dining experiences that are not like other places. If you are looking for fresh seafood, craft beer, and beautiful atmospheres, then this is the place to go. Below are some of the top favorite restaurants in Key Largo.

• The Fish House: This restaurant is known to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the Keys. They serve fresh and locally caught seafood in many different ways and are a place you need to eat at!
  • Address: 102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
  • Phone Number: (305) 451-4665
• Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant and Bar: This restaurant is a low-key waterfront setting for seafood, plus a tiki bar, happy hour, and frequent live music while enjoying the beautiful view.
  • Address: 139 Seaside Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037
  • Phone Number: (305) 852-5956
• The Catch Restaurant and Bar: This is a cozy eatery offering surf n turf like grilled fish and strip steak, plus many various spirits and live music in a beachy setting.
  • Address: 102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
  • Phone Number: (305) 204-4143

Job Market

Key Largo's job market thrives from tourism. Some of the top sectors here are tourism and hospitality, boating and marine industries, education, healthcare, construction, and more. The overall job market is considered to be competitive since it is a very touristy area. The seasons do affect employment opportunities because of the population rise of visitors. However, Key Largo is located in many other famous cities and has a short commute time, so if you find a job outside of the city, you can still locate in this beautiful area. 

This city earned the Top Workplaces USA award in 2023 and is proud of its hard-working employees and service to the community. No matter what career you are in or are interested in, you can find it here or in the surrounding areas. Moving somewhere new does have a lot of things that go along with it, especially finding job opportunities, and thankfully here you will be offered many various fields that may be perfect for you.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Key Largo, FL

Pros:

• Low property tax
• No income state tax
• Fast internet
• Age diversity
• Great weather
• Quality public schools
• Low unemployment rates

Cons:

• A lot of rain
• Hurricane or tropical storm threat
• High house prices
• High population

Moving to Key Largo, FL - The Bottom Line

Key Largo is a beautiful place to relocate and offers various things for its residents. This unique Island has fantastic weather, stunning beaches, various outdoor activities, and many more things. Whether you are moving here as a family, retiree, or on your own, it is perfect for everyone.

Living in Key Largo offers its residents a sparse suburban feel and a very welcoming community. Whether you want to move here or even visit, it has a lot for everyone and is a place you will want to go to, no matter your preference. Moving to a new place can be challenging, and there are a lot of things that do go into it, but if you are looking for a place where you can live the beach life while enjoying peace and quiet plus the busy life, then this place is perfect. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes for sale in Key Largo, Florida, please get in touch with us here so we can connect you with one of our Realty Specialists to help make this transition for you go smoothly. No matter the location, price, or preferences, we are here to help you through every step of the home-buying process to ensure that we can find the perfect home that meets all of your needs and lifestyle perfectly.

Please feel free to contact us here today for any questions or help. Suppose you are interested in moving to Key Largo. However, you should check out some of our other local area guides if you are interested in the area, like best neighborhoods in Key Largo, best restaurants in Key Largo, moving to Florida, the best places to live in Florida, and moving to Miami.