Key West Florida - We live here!

[@whybother-q9q]

We are two Aussie tourists who visited Key West in May 24. We were very impressed, loved the architecture and laid back feel. It did remind us of parts of northern Australia.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, we love the "old town" with all it's great historic houses. And KW certainly has a laid back quirky feel all it's own. We would love to visit Australia soon.....but it's soooo big and there's so much to see! Oh well, thanks for watching!!!

[@cherlynnklenke9973]

lived there 15yrs. Gate 11 was great sunbathing.

[@cherlynnklenke9973]

Fausto is a great food palace too. 3- blocks to our Truman Annex-president's walk townhouse. loved it.❤

[@Miami7]

I loved your video because KW is like a second home to us, since the 1960s. I haven't been there for a couple of years and see they have done a lot of work here and there. One of my favorite places there isn't a tourist spot, but it's right there at the southernmost point. The house right next to it is called The Southernmost Southernmost House! There are lots of things you can consider for future videos, like Mallory Square and celebrating the sunset and all the action around there. The cemetery is quite interesting and a nice place to take a break when you're biking around town. Interesting wildlife around too, like the chickens and you may even see a few 6-toed cats, descendents of Hemmingway's cats. Even the trees around there tell tales, like the big banyan, and the kapok tree in front of the courthouse. We were so worried that one would not have survived the hurricane of a few years ago, but luckily it did. At the main entrance to the cemetery is a cool looking tree; at certain times of the year it looks like there are big orchids hanging from it! So there is lots of diverse flora and fauna! I hope I still recognize the place after not having been there for a little while!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Oh, I'm sure you'll still recognize it. They can't clean it up that much! Excellent ideas for future videos. Now we just have to get out there and do it......we're a bit lazy. Thanks for watching and we hope to have a new Key West video soon.

[@ToniScott-e6u]

Thank you for taking me on a walk down memory lane for me!! You showed all the places my daughter Mary and I visited 10 years ago-

[@ColleenAndGary]

Glad to bring back some happy memories!

[@deanniemccartney6322]

Just what I needed to see on a cold Canadian January day. Used to leave in marathon back when it was affordable- miss those days

[@deanniemccartney6322]

Oops live - autocorrect

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, the Keys are quite expensive.....but it seems it's always been expensive!

[@DannyBoudreaux]

Beautiful views on the beach.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, we love the beach! Thanks for watching.

[@rickkelly1241]

Your video was an instant vacation

[@ColleenAndGary]

Wow, thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RockyBaker-ze9td]

❤Thank you for sharing this beautiful place an Merry Christmas love you all God bless you

[@ColleenAndGary]

Merry Christmas to you too. Thanks for watching.

[@alphasxsignal]

Looks like some nice parks to visit

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, and up the Keys are Bahia Honda, Long Key and Curry Hammock. And of course Dry Tortugas National Park out in the Gulf!

[@KeyWester1]

Love everything about this video: the hosts, the scenery, the music! It's as if you'd made a souvenir video just for me. If Key West weren't already my favorite place to be, I'd be on my way now! You left out the lower Duval nightlife craziness, for which I'm glad. Your vid is totally G-rated, though parts of Key West generally are not. Though for completeness' sake, you might consider a nightlife video with the same "just a glimpse" touch - about all I could stand! And what I personally would like better, a "Key West Tidbits" video with snippets of memories - either yours, or those of people you've met, or meet. fwiw. Thanks!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. We will definitely do a nightlife video....if we can stay up that late! And yes, we certainly have some interesting stories to tell after more than 30 years in this quirky town. I guess we better get to work!

[@traveling25]

Looks absolutely beautiful!

[@ColleenAndGary]

It is very nice. We like the architecture, the sea, the music.....and especially the weather......except in August!

[@WesMalone-yp3vf]

Key CWest was great until the early 90's. I miss the Key West I grew up in. I can't imagine what my great grandparent swould think. My family goes back to the early 1800's there

[@ColleenAndGary]

Wow. Does your family have a Bahama's connection? We have a friend with the last name Malone. She lived here but her family is from the Bahamas.

[@KenMac-ui2vb]

My greatest vacation growing up was the Keys. What a place to live !!!

[@ColleenAndGary]

We love it too. Thanks for watching.

[@dickyboy1102]

Thanks for showing us. It brings back the memories of when you married me and my wife at smathers beach back in 2011,

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thank you for watching! We hope you both are doing well.

[@masterful9954]

The legends return! Thanks😊

[@ColleenAndGary]

More to come!

[@jadeheart911]

Love the Green Parrot !

[@ColleenAndGary]

Best live music in Key West!

[@danielmonfort3235]

I will actually be working down in Key West in the military. I should be next month or so. Looks beautiful, especially the beach. Thanks for the video.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hi! Yes, the beaches are small but beautiful....especially when the water is clear and calm. Enjoy your time in Key West and thanks for watching.

[@jens7898]

What type of work would the military being doing in Key West?

[@danielmonfort3235]

@@jens7898 I work with DECA or Defense Commissary . This is a military grocery store that caters to military and their families.

[@jens7898]

@@danielmonfort3235 Cool

[@PaulCousins-ko3jd]

🇬🇧Lovely stuff Colleen and Gary, have only visited once, K West and other Keys are beautiful,amazing scenery and wildlife 👏🏾🥰

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hi! Thank you for watching our video. Hopefully someday you can return to KW. Yes, it is a beautiful place....we are very lucky to live here.

[@nancyuecker5526]

I lived there from 1984-2014. Few things have changed-glad to see Fausto’s up n running yet- a neat little store.

[@ColleenAndGary]

We love Fausto's! It's amazing how much stuff they can fit in such a little store. We just got back from there right now.

[@nancyuecker5526]

@ it is a neat store and good variety of things- they used to have the best fresh fish- I don’t know if they still do. Used to go there after stopping by bath n body works that used to be on Duval n a quick stroll to Fausto’s. Have fun.

[@saxonsteve]

Like that you said you have a secret spot! Myself and my wife have a retirement home in St.Augustine. We have a secret spot as well!!! LoL 😂 We now escape New England Boston Winters! Great video and information about Key West! Hope to make it down there in 2025!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thanks for watching. Hopefully you two can visit KW.....it's a lot of fun!

[@saxonsteve]

It’s on our bucket list of places to see this year!

[@jameswesterman9283]

I've been to both key West and St Augustine a few times and I will have to say I think I like St Augustine just a little bit better. Both of them are incredible and fun places

[@msquints1]

Wonderful! Will be there us December!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Excellent! Have a great trip.....Key West is a lot of fun.

[@Loki-rascal]

Key West is great! On super rare occasions you even run into nice people that are sober.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Sober???

[@hello_its_me.]

@Loki-rascal They’re ostriches and only travel on sandy beaches or low-level lakes.

[@bennymbrown7765]

Grew up there in the 90 s and loved it, it’s definitely not the same but still very nice

[@ColleenAndGary]

We have lived here over 30 years. Yes, it has definitely changed but we still like it (72 degrees in December).

[@Traveling_For_Events]

Nicely done

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thank you!

[@Terry-HandPanHowe]

Great video and beaches tour. Please take us to your favorite bars next! ❤

[@ColleenAndGary]

That might take a while.....we have a lot of favorite bars! We will get to work immediately!!!

[@Terry-HandPanHowe]

@@ColleenAndGary Can’t wait! Cheers from up A1A in Lighthouse Point. We dream to be in Key West one day!

[@ColleenAndGary]

@@Terry-HandPanHowe Cheers!

[@cuba1234100]

hey that was fun

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thanks for watching!

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

1/2/25 I too live in key West on Margaret Street. Originally from New York.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hi neighbor.....I'm a former Jersey guy.

[@joelbeaver1093]

No to many New Yorkers already lol

[@Frontireadventures]

Coming down in a few weeks. Renting a motorcycle in Miami and riding down for a few days visit. It's cold up here in Nova Scotia. Been there a few times.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Have a great trip. 75°F here right now! Nova Scotia is beautiful. We stayed in Cheticamp and Lunenburg and had a wonderful time.

[@IamJunius]

No chocolate milk at Fausto's?? Great video.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Tryin' to tell myself that my condition is improvin' And if I don't die by Thursday...........Thanks for watching!

[@jtelvis3]

I really enjoyed your video! Very well done! Gave me a lot of good ideas on places to go when I come down in the Fall. I definitely want to look into buying a used bike instead of renting one since I'll be there for over 3 weeks. I've found a couple of bike shops that say they occasionally have used bikes for sale. Any that y'all could recommend?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Have you tried Bike Man bike rental? I've heard they sell used bikes. We usually rent from Island Bicycle, but only for short periods....and it's convenient for us. I would make some calls and ask for long term rates. Have fun in Key West!

[@jtelvis3]

@ColleenAndGary I hadn't heard of Bike Man but will look them up! Thanks for the recommendation. Looking forward to the adventure!

[@kathleenbutler7959]

Little Whitehouse subs very close to Fort Zackery are great!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Oh wow, I've heard they are good. We will have to try them!

[@brucemihalick4117]

What's it like to live full-time in Key West especially if you want to retire there ? I live in Sarasota currently and always have been fascinated with the keys.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Housing has become a serious problem. Very expensive and limited supply. If you can find somewhere affordable to live it's great! Awesome music, boating, restaurants, theater, etc.

[@donnaone1nine]

@@ColleenAndGary what about stormy weather?

[@Cynthiape2uc]

Enjoyed the video. Thank you so much. We will be in Key West next February and just happens to be the weekend of the Super Bowl. Can you give us any idea what the island is like for Super Bowl Sunday?

[@ColleenAndGary]

February is a busy month here, but the Super Bowl won't make it any busier. Everybody's here for the weather! But, it's fun to hit the bars and watch the big game. Last year the Schooner Wharf Bar had a big super bowl party......very funky classic KW kind of place on the harbor. Same goes for the Green Parrot (but not on the water). For a more sports bar experience try Jack Flats. And Shots & Giggles or Pickles Pub are good too. What's great about KW is you can easily walk to all these bars in less than 10 minutes, beverage in hand.

[@Cynthiape2uc]

@@ColleenAndGary great insights. Thanks!

[@ColleenAndGary]

@@Cynthiape2uc You're welcome. Thanks for watching and have a great trip!

[@Cynthiape2uc]

@@ColleenAndGary

[@Hof79905]

RIP Jimmy Buffet

[@ColleenAndGary]

He will be missed.....

[@Matt_from_Florida]

We lived at MM15.5 from 1989-2007. Smather's was "made" by importing Bahamian sand in 1961. Prior to that S. Roosevelt simply had a seawall for the length of it just like you still see when leaving KW via S Roosevelt. Higgs Beach was also "created," but in 1955.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hi Matt. I also arrived here in 1989! Yes, Smathers is man made and they replenish it with a million dollars of sand every once in a while. Thanks for watching.

[@Robdistasi]

Key West!...Beats the hell outta Newark!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Unless you're looking for dirty water hot dogs!

[@lmb4876]

Any place beats Newark….except Reading, Pa..my hometown 😢

[@bellwetherhacienda-fs6yy]

Just realized i'm an escapists sitting here in a cold tent.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hope it’s not too cold!

[@cherlynnklenke9973]

Sandwiched betwee Pier House & the Hyatt. used to be "The homeless beach".

[@ColleenAndGary]

It's changed a bit but still Key West quirky.

[@robward7283]

We love Key West, but unfortunately the prices of hotels have gone up so much in the last 5 years that it’s becoming unaffordable for us… Can you recommend any hotels or places to stay that are nice , but still affordable?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, accommodations are expensive, especially during high season. Try visiting in late April, May or June (before hurricane season) or November. Check out the Best Western Hibiscus. Some friends stayed there last March. They thought it was a nice place and reasonably priced. If you can stay for a full week, the vacation rentals in Truman Annex might be a good choice. Thank you for watching!

[@normamachala1231]

What time of the year were these beaches videoed? You mentioned May, I thought it would be plenty warm to swim then? We are going early April, will it be warm enough to swim then?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Hi! We videoed the beaches in April and early May. People swim year round here in Key West but we are water wimps and wait until the water temperature hits 80 degrees F. April water temps should be in the high 70s which most people find very pleasant. Have fun and thanks for watching.

[@flexjay87]

You can't see the humidity :)

[@ColleenAndGary]

Oy, but you really can feel it!🔥🥵☀️

[@MrOpaulo]

Is the Turtle Kraals still there?

[@ColleenAndGary]

No, it's not there anymore! We used to go to the turtle races way back. Now it's called the Boathouse Bar and Grill. They have quite a popular happy hour.

[@MaryMargaretteWhite-ek5tn]

Key west or Miami? That place reminds me of the island Im from.

[@ColleenAndGary]

They are very different experiences. Miami is a very big city. High rise hotels. Fancy restaurants and late night partying. Key West is a small island. Ride a bike and wear flip flops. Although it is very crowded here certain times of the year.

[@stevem-h5e]

Are the fish still spinning down there?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thankfully that hasn't happened again!

[@Loki-rascal]

No, but the people are definitely spinning down there! Only rarely will you run into a person that is sober.

[@RogerBrown-wr1gf]

How about a video on hotels and resorts at key west

[@ColleenAndGary]

Thanks, that's a good idea and easier on the liver than the "barhopping" video requested by other viewers. 😉

[@Thebiggest7303]

Is it black friendly ?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching!

[@alphasxsignal]

I would think the flooding could be real bad there and storm surge?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes, we are doomed. "Après moi, le déluge" I don't recommend visiting in the peak of hurricane season.....August, September and October.

[@1257wizard]

its all a 'PARTY' until you get 15feet of water over your house!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Luckily we have a pair of these..... 🤿. 🤿

[@cathyluscko3788]

I didn't know that!! Don't want to live there! Visit maybe

[@boster8368]

Do you need a pool boy, haha

[@ColleenAndGary]

If we had a pool!

[@larryfrank4802]

Which key west hotels would you recommend for a couple?

[@ColleenAndGary]

The Pier House resort is a waterfront hotel (gulf side) with a variety of room choices and large spa. Although it's not waterfront, H2O Suites offers rooms with a private pool. For a more intimate experience, check out some of our historic inns. The Gardens Hotel on Angela Street is a lovely property. Island City House and the Marquesa are also nice. Enjoy your time in Key West.

[@bellavita3097]

Where are you from? NY?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Close.....New Jersey!

[@LadyG-u6p]

Last time I was there, some lady on drugs was fast asleep, standing in the middle of the road. Key West isn’t what it used to be.

[@ColleenAndGary]

There's a woman goin' crazy on Caroline Street Stoppin' every man that she does meet.....Jimmy Buffett 1976.

[@saxonsteve]

What is the name of this park?

[@ColleenAndGary]

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Our favorite beach in Key West.

[@saxonsteve]

Thank You 🙏! Maybe we’ll run 🏃 into you guys! Enjoy 😉!!

[@JJ-sk1vy]

Where would you recommend a family of 4 to stay. Kids are older teens.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Definitely stay in the historic district, close to Duval Street. Then it's possible to walk to all the fun. Check out the Southernmost Beach Resort. Or, the Truman Annex neighborhood has lots of vacation rentals. And, its only 2 blocks from Duval Street. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks for watching!

[@CaringDisneyfan]

It’s fine for 1 1/2 day then I’m good.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@SuzanPeters-p4e]

All fine and dandy till a hurricane cleans off the maps.

[@ColleenAndGary]

We know! Gotta enjoy it while we can.

[@cuba1234100]

now you have to do a bar hopping vid......

[@ColleenAndGary]

That’s a great idea! And we are just the people for the job!!

[@cuba1234100]

@@ColleenAndGary hahaha yes you are...Take me with you......

[@ColleenAndGary]

@@cuba1234100 Onward!!!

[@louiep9862]

Good and bad points to Florida,trust me.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Definitely....as with all things.

[@hello_its_me.]

Wonder how much of a nest egg you had to afford real estate in KW? Cheers!

[@ColleenAndGary]

Ostrich.

[@sophiaammirato7866]

Love the cottages but way to expensive to live or own a home

[@ColleenAndGary]

Sad but true.....

[@chashue6032]

KW has changed.... once again.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Yes it has, like all things.......thanks for watching!

[@bmcbg]

Love to go there for a couple days but not live there. Not only that's it's outrageously expensive but there are not any good beaches there and too many tourists all of the time .

[@ColleenAndGary]

It’s not for everyone. It's very touristy and the beaches are small, but we love it here.

[@RexPonder-y6b]

We just moved there after 12years in Mexico and it's so much better and less expensive and much safer. Get out of Mexico this is by fare much better.

[@ColleenAndGary]

Less expensive???

[@HeikkiPaanki]

20 bucks a day to RENT a chair 😂😂😂

[@ColleenAndGary]

I know! Very expensive. We either bring our own beach chairs or just lay on a towel! 🏖️

[@betodeleon6570]

These two are NERDS. Hahaha hahaha

[@ColleenAndGary]

Wanna buy a used pocket protector?