People move to and live in Miami, FL for many reasons. The climate is spectacular, outdoor recreational activities abound, and the city is a major center of international commerce. Yet, those who live and work in a large city may not be partial to the trappings that come along with an urban lifestyle, such as traffic and crowds. If there could possibly be an oasis of calm and tranquility in an area of 5.5 million people, Key Biscayne would be it. This island town of just 12,000 residents is connected to downtown Miami by the Rickenbacker Causeway and sheltered by massive swaths of green spaces to both the north and south. If peaceful island living in Miami, FL sounds too good to be true, don't miss our Key Biscayne real estate guide to learn more about this unique community.
Encompassing just 1.3 square miles of land, Key Biscayne was a developers dream for many years, yet one that couldn't be realized until the four-mile long Rickenbacker Causeway opened in 1947. Before then, it served as a coconut plantation. While parts of the land on the island were donated to Dade County for a public park, the rest were sold to developers and the first homes went up in 1949. The southern tip of the island was later sold through an estate to the state of Florida for a state park, leaving the middle part of the island to continue development as the Village of Key Biscayne.
Key Biscayne was incorporated as a municipality in 1991, and the city suffered moderate damage at the hands of Hurricane Andrew the following year. In recent years, there has been an acceleration of development on the island, both residentially and commercially. The Village has its own fire and police departments as well as a public library, public elementary and middle school. Despite its recent growth, this small town remains an attractive destination for those looking to escape city life.
The architecture of homes on the island varies from the plantation-style buildings of the early 1900's to early Spanish Colonial to ultra-modern. While many of the small original island homes, referred to as "Mackles" after the developer, have been torn down, there remain a nostalgic few on the island. There are some excellent choices of homes in Key Biscayne and, while expensive, there may be a few surprising deals here for those determined to make this their home. Smaller condo units, built in the 1960s, can be purchased in the low $300's. These are 1-bedroom, 1-bath condos. Oceanfront condos start in the mid-$500's and go up well over $10 million. Single family homes in Key Biscayne start at $1.8 million for a 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath home to over $36 million for a waterfront home. Many of the lower-priced single-family homes here were built in the 1950's and 1960's, yet most have pools and many upgrades.
This gorgeous town with its contrast of crisp blue waters and natural green parks makes outdoor living almost effortless. The Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is on the southern tip of the island and is a destination in itself. The park has two restaurants, a lighthouse with guided tours twice daily, overnight mooring for boats, nature trails, fishing piers, beaches, and bike rentals. For the past 14 years, this beach has been chosen by "Dr. Beach" as one of the top ten beaches in the United States.
Crandon Park is an 808-acre park located just to the north of the Village of Key Biscayne. The park is a massive nature and recreational complex that caters to residents of Key Biscayne and Miami. There are two miles of beaches, picnic shelters, a marina, a golf course, nature center, family amusement center, and a tennis facility. The Tennis Center at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne includes a 13,800 seat stadium that has hosted the Miami Open since 1987. When the tournament is not being played, the facilities, including the stadium court, are available for public use.
Historic Virginia Key is just to the north of Crandon Park on the Rickenbacker Causeway. This quiet island offers stunning views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is also home to the Miami Seaquarium aquarium and the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. At the northern end of the island is the Virginia Key Mountain Bike Park, with various trails for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Staying healthy means eating healthy, and this community provides several choices in farmer's markets for its residents. There is a weekly farmer's market every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Glenridge Road. Also, the Golden Hog in Harbor Plaza is the top spot in town for daily fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet food.
Dining out will never be a problem in Key Biscayne. There are over fifty active restaurants and bars on the island that offer residents many choices. One of the top choices since opening in 2003 is Costa Med. Located on Crandon Blvd., this Mediterranean-inspired fine dining establishment has been impressing diners with dishes like grilled octopus and veal piccata. Another favorite is Cioppino at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. This restaurant features Tuscan-style cuisine either indoors or outside on their terrace that overlooks the Atlantic.
If you prefer a more casual setting, the Rusty Pelican is a local favorite for both its views and its quality. Located on the Rickenbacker Causeway near Virginia Key, this casual eatery provides guests with incredible views of downtown Miami as they enjoy appetizers and Florida-themed delights. Another local favorite is the Oasis Cafe at Key Biscayne. A landmark on the island, this friendly establishment has been serving guests with fresh pastries and authentic Cuban food for over 30 years.
As for shopping, there are many gift shops and boutiques around the island for residents and visitors. There are also several small shopping centers along Crandon Blvd. that include such things as pharmacies, real estate offices, banks, grocery stores, and other essentials for everyday living.
Miami is a wonderful place to live and an area that provides residents with many work and recreation opportunities. Living in the big city isn't for everyone, though. If you'd like to live close to Miami but in an area with a small town island atmosphere, Key Biscayne could be the perfect spot. There are many opportunities in Key Biscayne real estate that make this an attractive choice.
