Key West Island News
Key West Island News connects Key West residents and friends of the island; fosters our One Human Family culture; and advances understanding of shared goals for our island community
7 ways to move here
How does one move to Key West? There are lots of toss-off answers, like “marry rich” or “rob a bank,” but I decided to take this seriously. Here’s how one prepares to move to Key West.
Why would you leave?
Everyone dreams of living in Key West, a place where everyone knows why you’d move there. What most folks rarely stop to think about: Why would anyone up and leave? And they do. Lots of them.
North to Miami? Nope
Did you know you head east when you drive to Miami? Not north. East-northeast. And mostly east. Trust your eyes at sunrise. Well, except for a couple of stretches like that right turn in Big Pine, which is due south.
Key West trees | Welcome to the Cunningham Urban Hammock
Myrtles of the river, stoppers and the Jamaica caper flank the pool with mango overhead (2022) The mango remained, as did the Florida thatch palm, in 2012 In 2013, the urban hammock was just establishing itself The next people to own our house are in for an...
What's up in Key West?
You could spend all day searching for news about Key West and the Florida Keys. Or you can bookmark Key West Island News. Get the latest news, Facebook posts and information from the sources WE trust.What's up in Florida?
Get the latest from Florida’s trusted news organizations. Key West Island News integrates RRS and live Facebook feeds from credible sources like the Miami Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Florida Politics.Things to do
There’s always something to do in Key West. Let us help you plan the perfect visit or welcome your guests. And, if you’ve forgotten how wonderful living here really is, we can help you jumpstart your love affair.
Key West visitors | Have the Covid sun seekers left the island?
Back in the olden days, which right now I'm saying is anytime before March 2020, when the Key West Covid sun seekers descended, this wouldn't have rated more than a passing comment over dinner: "Hey, have you noticed how many parking spots there are along Southard?" Back then we took for granted that shortly after Easter, and certainly by Mother's Day, we could have our pick of spaces along the...
Dismantling the 14th Amendment: Keeping it upbeat in Key West when the world isn’t
I love my Key West Bubble, but national dissonance is dribbling through today. I am unsettled at the prospect of living through the dismantling of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 14th Amendment, ratified by the states in 1868, can be boiled down to this: Oops, when we wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments), we were thinking only of straight white men with money. Perhaps we need to fix that?
Local political control in jeopardy in the Keys | Can it be fixed?
Is it any wonder folks up the Keys occasionally (OK, a lot) wish Key West weren't so arrogantly dismissive of and willfully ignorant of the 21st century challenges they face? For 200 years, Key West was the legendary alpha dog for which local political control meant one thing: Key West decided. Up the Keys went along, muttering things, I suspect, like "someday they'll get their comeuppance." Up...
So, you live in Florida, right? Nope. Key West is not Florida
Key West is not Florida — and that’s before we dabble in politics. Doesn’t take a genius to know that Key West’s politics have always been rooted firmly in libertarian ideals. (Let’s not confuse libertarian with liberal, much less Democrat or Republican.)
About KWIN
Key West Island News
Who we are: We are a Key West-owned digital news and information company that uses a community-support model to sustain our news, information and connections mission. Our funding comes from our local and off-island subscribers, select advertisers and investors. We are governed by an advisory board comprising residents and journalism and community-building professionals. Editor and publisher Linda Grist Cunningham owns KeyWestWatch Media LLC, which publishes Key West Island News.
What we do: We do original reporting and aggregate information from trusted news sources in Key West, the Keys and the state of Florida. We choose our trusted sources carefully to ensure accuracy and useful information.
Why we do it: We believe Key West needs a comprehensive, trusted source of news and information — a single place where residents and friends of Key West can find what they need to know each day.
What’s important to us: The topics shape our coverage: The Key West mystique; economic development; environmental protection; not-for-profits, arts and entertainment; small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Martha Hubbard
“Key West is an amazing canvas”
Key West chef and photographer Martha Hubbard walks the island each morning. For years she has shared with her social media friends a photo or two to start the day. Now she shares her photographs exclusively with Key West Island News. From pounding waves off the White Street pier to a Royal Poinciana bursting red, Martha’s photos are a stunning reminder that we live in a canvas made new every day.
Shade Ceramics and Shutter Photography
Contemporary artisan ceramics and photographs crafted in Key West | Follow the latest news from our gallery! We love sharing what we’re doing in the White Street gallery — and we welcome you to stop in when you’re in the neighborhood.
Standing water? Not raining? It’s King Tide time. And a reminder: That’s salt water. It’ll wreck your car, bike etc. Steer clear and no wake, please ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
People are brain dead.....
I’m a data geek so, yeah, I love these maps. Key West folks with troublesome vacation rentals nearby ought to check these maps to see if those rentals are legal. And if you’re planning to rent here on vacation, this is a great place to start because you’ll know if your rental is legal. (Good luck, though, at figuring out what your rental address is. Many companies hold that address pretty close. They use pretty names and general locations on their websites.) ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I don’t think the description of a non transient license is accurate. Several of the places in my neighborhood that are monthly vacation rentals are shown on the map as non transient, but they are advertised as 28 day minimum vacation rentals, not for longer term tenants and I know they have the correct license.