Reviews & Comments
Big Pine Key, FL
Great place to visit, harsh place to live -
9/10/2008I'd lived in Florida (Orlando) most of my life, and thought we had considered all the pros/cons when we chose to semi-retire in remote, rural Big Pine Key, in the Florida Keys. It's a great place for a second home (if you've got plenty of money or money smarts), but not so great for year-round living. We have met wonderful people who support each other well in the face of bad weather (hurricanes), corrupt politicians and a very high cost of living. But living in any community of 5,000 with a 1/2 hour (Marathon) or hour (Key West) drive to limited civilization is a huge culture shock. I made the transition successfully, but my husband has not. He moved here strictly for the diving, which has proven problematic. Never move anyplace for one reason only! We are now looking for our next place since this one has not lived up to his dreams.