Apr 12, 2026
Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What “Cheap”
Really Means)
Host Michele O’Connor answers questions about what it really
takes to live in the Florida Keys, emphasizing that “cheap” is
relative and the Keys are expensive compared to national averages.
She outlines factors beyond listing price—rent, property taxes,
insurance (including flood), maintenance from salt air, storm prep,
commute, home condition, and lifestyle goals—then compares areas
often discussed for budget-conscious moves: Big Pine Key for a
quieter, nature-focused lower-Keys lifestyle with fewer
conveniences; Tavernier as an overlooked upper-Keys option with
easier mainland access; Marathon as a centrally located middle-Keys
choice with wide price variation by neighborhood and property type;
Key Largo as convenient but usually pricier; Key West as iconic but
typically among the most expensive; and Stock Island as a
potentially more realistic alternative near Key West. She
encourages realistic expectations, research, and choosing best
value and fit.
00:00 Welcome
to Fun in Key West
01:26 Episode
Topic Living in the Keys
03:53 Setting
Realistic Cost Expectations
08:10 What
Affordable Really Means
10:39 Big
Pine Key Nature and Value
12:32 Tavernier
Upper Keys Option
14:26 Key
Largo Convenience Costs More
16:02 Marathon
Middle Keys Balance
18:10 Key
West and Stock Island Alternatives
22:31 Hidden
Costs and Smart Planning
24:23 Quick
Shortlist and Takeaways
26:58 Wrap
Up Resources and Goodbye
28:33 Final
Encouragement and Call to Action