Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL Apartment Renter's Guide

"I'm a thousand islands away / from Ponce de Leon bay / along the overseas highway / to Islamorada" --Louise Taylor

Islamorada, Village of Islands, is located in Monroe County, Florida in the Keys, which are tiny islands that are linked together by bridges, some of which span several miles at a time. Islamorada -- the beginning pronounced like "Isle" -- consists of a grouping of keys, hence the name Village of Islands. This Village of Islands includes Tea Table Key, Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys, Windley Key and Plantation Key. It is surrounded by blue-green, crystal clear waters and attracts many vacationers who come to snorkel and scuba-dive its reefs. Its white powdery sands and chickee huts attract many in search of that Margaritaville lifestyle so famously sung about by Jimmy Buffett. It is a wonderful place to relax by the beach during a sunset, listening to live music and enjoying the scenery and friendly locals.

If you are looking for a place to live in this low-key, island paradise, there are quite a few choices to make, including which beach front you want as your personal view. With a relatively smaller population here, there's room for everyone to enjoy their own slice of paradise, but finding a new place may take some searching. You may want to enlist the help of a local realtor who is in "the know" with the locals and who may be able to anticipate a place opening up before it even goes to market. Give yourself plenty of time to find an apartment to rent or rental houses, as real estate gets bought up quickly in these parts. It may be best to make a short trip to the area and look over your options and find that perfect spot. There are resorts and Inns that you can stay in with ease during the off-season months which last throughout the Summer. This is the best time of year for house hunting here.

Condominium or RV Resort?

There are several choices in condos for rent, where morning strolls along the beach and meeting friendly neighbors are an everyday occurrence. You may, however, be looking for a more get-up-and-go lifestyle, one where you can park your RV home and use your car to move freely up and down the Keys from one gorgeous spot to the next. Make sure that you outline the necessities that are most important to you when looking. Do you need a full-size washer and dryer? Or can you live with a stackable one? Is it important to situate yourself close to a pool, or are the Gulf waters all you need? Do you have pets you absolutely adore and would never think of leaving behind? Children, too? Talk to your Realtor and let him or her know every detail as soon as possible, as it can be a challenge to find readily available residences. These Keys prove to be extremely popular destinations not only for vacations, but for year round living as well.

Coming down through the Keys you will begin to notice the names of streets and byways that have names of reefs, birds, fish and even old pirates and sea captains. Islamorada, Village of Islands, is located in what is considered the Upper Key region, with the first one of the grouping being Plantation Key.

Plantation Key: There used to be a lot of pineapples plantations here, hence the name. There are many affordable areas here and are mostly single family home options. There's even an airstrip if you want to fly in on your personal plane.

Windley Key: This is the next Key you will come across when travelling Southbound. It is home to a few resorts, marinas, a mobile home park and offers seasonal and vacation rental homes.

Islamorada: The famed "Purple Isle", coined by the Spanish because of its pure beauty, is the next Key you will reach. The first part of Islamorada is Upper Matecumbe Key, with the second being -- you guessed it -- Lower Matecumbe Key. Lower Matecumbe should be named "Water, Water Everywhere!" as it has so many options to drop in your sea-going vessel. This is a dream come true for all you sport fishermen out there. From waterways and canals, to private beaches, you'll be out on the water before you can say "30 Pound Mahi!".

If the neighborhood you choose, doesn't come with its own private beach, don't worry. Be on the lookout for Founders Park as you come south from Windley Key. This 40 acre park boasts the best in recreational fun and beauty. Whether you choose to swim in its Olympic sized swimming pool or beach or just want to hang out with the family playing baseball, tennis, or bocce, there is definitely something for everyone. Even the family dog can make a friend or two in this pet friendly park. Oh, and when you're done with fun in the sun, don't forget to grab your local cocktail just in time for the sunset sing-a-long at a local cabana.

This Village of Islands is known as the sports fishing capital of the world and has a little bit of everything for everyone. With dozens of marinas, you won't have to worry about where to stow your boat and it's easy navigating by boat from one Key to the next. It's fun for the whole family at the Theater of the Sea where you can snorkel or even swim with the Dolphins. Or spend a day on Windley Key at the Fossil Reef Geological State park where you can hike through wilderness that was once used as a quarry for the first railroad through the Keys. Then wind down your day at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar, famous for its Rumrunner cocktail and for celebrity sightings.

All of this, plus plenty of sun and sand, will make you happy you chose the Sunshine State's glimmering jewels of the Gulf, Islamorada, Village of Islands, as your place to call home.