Can you tell me about living in Key West as a young person?

) September 13th, 2010

I am a 22-year-old college graduate. I have settled myself somewhere for summers, but I am thinking about what to do November-April.

I worked as a street performer this summer, and I did very well. It seems that the crowds I got during the summer would be the kind of people who go to Key West in the winters. I have never been to Key West but I’m having a little fantasy about it for this winter. Can people who know it well please answer some questions for me?

1. Are there lots of street performers? Is there space to perform? If you’re one who has worked in KW please get in touch.
2. How is real estate? Easy to find an apartment/sublet or a room to rent for a few months? How much will I have to spent?
3. Are jobs very competitive? Reckon any restaurants or whatever will be hiring in the winter?
4. How big is the town? Walkable? Bikeable? (In terms of one side to the other).
5. Lastly, does anyone know any kind residents who know anyone looking for a subletter or tenant or babysitter or anything for the winter?

Thanks a lot! I probably won’t make it anywhere until January. Any information is very helpful.

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2 Answers

1. Are there lots of street performers? Is there space to perform?
I’ve never seen Any street performers. Those go to Mallory Square each afternoon right on the ocean and perform. It’s just a huge cleared off area with some booths, not many, selling drinks and you’d have Plenty of room to perform there. People wait for the sunset.
2. How is real estate? Easy to find an apartment/sublet or a room to rent for a few months? How much will I have to spent?
Real estate is Very expensive! I’ve seen shacks for almost half a million dollars. I have no idea how much an apartment would cost. We looked at fairly new condos that were over 300K and they were really small. Narrow, too.
3. Are jobs very competitive? Reckon any restaurants or whatever will be hiring in the winter?
In this economy and with the young wanting jobs there I imagine it would be hard to find employment. Working there would be considered a Dream Job.
4. How big is the town? Walkable? Bikeable? (In terms of one side to the other).
It’s just a few miles long. We rode bikes when we went. But you will see lots of cars, too, but no traffic jams for some reason. I guess because so many people are hanging out in a bar or on bikes or walking. I did take him in a car to the pier or dock for deep sea fishing. This was in March, I believe.
5. Lastly, does anyone know any kind residents who know anyone looking for a subletter or tenant or babysitter or anything for the winter? I dont. Good luck!