Of course, in the winter time, the reasons to visit Paradise (aka The Fabulous Florida Keys) are obvious: it's warm here, you can wear shorts and sandals anywhere (even to church!), the skies are blue & the sun is bright, our water isn't frozen over, winter sports include fishing for marlin and sailfish, and it's perfectly acceptable to order a frosty cocktail while watching one of our famous Keys sunsets!

But even in the summertime, there are many reasons to visit: great fishing and diving (whether you scuba or just snorkel), lots of beautiful and interesting land-based attractions, wonderful fresh-caught seafood and palm trees waving in the breezes. You can still wear shorts and sandals anywhere, the skies are still blue & sun bright, and the cocktails are still frosty, all day long.

One of the biggest attractions for me is the people. Having spent most of my life in a large metropolitan area (Miami), it was an amazing experience to relocate a mere 35 miles farther south and find out what it's like to live in a small town! People here are just plain friendly, and always ready & willing to lend a hand to someone in need. You shouldn't be surprised if folks smile at you and nod their heads, or wave and call out a greeting, as you pass them on a daily walk. And, if you hear a car horn toot here, it's probably someone saying "hello." People in the Keys are generally very laid-back and relaxed, so honking in traffic just isn't done in anger!

Since our "Main Street" throughout the Keys is US1 (locally known as the Overseas Highway), it's easy to get around and find places, once you get to know the system. Locals give all directions by "Mile Marker", based on where the place you're looking for is located along the Overseas Highway. Key Largo is the northernmost island in the chain, and the "top" of Key Largo is at Jewfish Creek, near Mile Marker 107. Key West is the southernmost island, and it's "tip" is Mile Marker 0. So, if you know which Mile Marker you're starting from, it's easy to know how far it is (and which direction) to your destination's Mile Marker. Of course, there are side streets (and entire subdivisions) branching off from the main road, so directions can get a little more complicated (turn left at Mile Marker 99, then right on Ocean Bay Drive, then go over the little hump bridge and make your 2nd left...), but compared to big cities, it's a snap! US1 in the Keys actually runs from Northeast to Southwest and West. To simplify directions, most locals will say "North" or "South", or even "Up" or "Down" to indicate direction. Another important factor to know is "Oceanside" or "Bayside" in the Upper Keys. In the Lower Keys (Marathon down to Key West), the "Bayside" becomes "Gulfside" -- that's because in the Upper Keys, the body of water to our west is Florida Bay, while in the Lower Keys, the waters deepen and become the Gulf of Mexico.

So what are you waiting for? Get those plane tickets booked, or pack up the car, and come on down to see us! And while you're planning your vacation, consider renting a lovely home or condo instead of some yukky, small, hotel room. Our Vacation Rentals department would be happy to show you just how affordable a rental property can be. Give us a call today and find out what "friendly" is all about!