Whether you want to buy or rent, there are many different options for living in Key West, from ocean view condominiums to grand historic estates.

The Old Town area is the most popular. Located within the Key West Historic District and listed on the National Register of historic places, Old Town has the largest inventory of historic wooden structures in Florida. There are quaint cottages (Conch cottages taken from the nickname for the locals) and beautifully renovated Victorian homes. Some of the historic homes were converted to guesthouses and apartment buildings many years ago. The Casa Marina area is on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Historic District and surrounds the Historic Casa Marina Resort that Henry Flagler built to serve his railroad passengers.With the recent adjustment in the real estate market, a small condo can be purchased under $200,000 and a small conch home under $300,000. There are beautiful Victorian homes listed from under $1 million all the way up to grand estates over $10 million. There is a lot of variety to choose from and sales are very strong for properties listed under $500,000.

The historic area comprises about one-third of our 2 x 4 mile island. The rest of the island is referred to as mid-town and new-town. Most of the construction in this area is poured concrete or CBS (concrete block and stucco). Many of the locals that work on our island live in these areas. Condos and single family homes are larger and the lot sizes are larger for the same or less money than in the Historic District.

Truman Annex is a gated community at the foot of Southard Street that was created by developer Pritam Singh in the 1990s. It is a mix of historic naval officers homes and more recently constructed homes. Sunset Key sits just offshore from Mallory Square and is accessible by a private ferry to the “gated” island.

More recently, several condo-hotel projects were created around the island. From the Beachside Resort, Parrot Key, and Santa Maria projects, there is plenty of variety to choose from.

If you are thinking of renting, either for vacation, for the season, or to live in Key West, there are small unfurnished apartments for around $800 per month, grand estates for over $10,000 per month, and everything in between. Key West real estate is as diverse as its One Human Family.