Stretching out from Miami is the barrier island of Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a barrier island that juts into the Atlantic Ocean, offering residents plenty of ocean views and natural beauty. Connected to Miami via the Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne has been inhabited since the 1500s, after being discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon. A lighthouse was constructed there in the 1820s, and a town followed soon after. By the early 1900s, wealthy industrialists started making homes and purchasing land, along with resorts and hotels springing up. It was a popular summer destination for President Richard Nixon, who had his “Winter White House” on Biscayne Bay. Today, Key Biscayne has more than 14,000 people and a mix of housing options for buyers. “I love Key Biscayne. This is the best place in the world for me,” says Giulietta Ulloa, the senior vice president and broker associate at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty. “It’s like a paradise island and it's very secure.”
Higher cost Spanish Revivals and modern homes
The median price for homes in Key Biscayne is $1.6 million, higher than the national median. Spanish Revivals, ranch styles and modern homes are present. Condos are also available, and some homes are HOA-controlled. Ulloa notes that mostly young families have moved into the area.
State parks, golf and beaches
On the southern end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which features multiple fishing spots and trails. The park is also home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse, which was rebuilt in 1846 after the Second Seminole War. On the northern edge of Key Biscayne sits Crandon Park. Originally a coconut plantation, it has become a prime spot for kayaking, sailing, and birdwatching. The park also has a tennis center with 27 courts and a 13,000-seat stadium that formerly hosted the Miami Open tennis tournament.
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne has been in the area since 1972 and features an 18-hole layout with artificial lakes and ocean views. The facility also has a driving range and practice area. Village Green Park, in the Village of Key Biscayne, has several soccer fields and walking paths in the island's center.
Beach locations surround the island, with some having public access and others only open to residents.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Students attend Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which is rated A-minus on Niche. Elementary and middle schools are the primary institutions on the island, while high schools are in Virginia Key and Miami.
Hurricane and flooding risk
Hurricanes can be a factor in Key Biscayne, with Hurricane Andrew severely affecting the area in 1992. However, Ulloa says homes have been built with stronger materials to withstand severe weather. According to available maps, some parts of Key Biscayne can flood.
Dining and shopping off Crandon Boulevard
Most local dining spots are off Crandon Boulevard and feature various cuisines and styles. Milanezza Kitchen and Bar is an Italian and Argentinian fusion spot with steaks, homemade pasta and seafood. Costa Med Bistro + Wine serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Mestizo Latin Cuisine serves breakfast and lunch items.
Key Biscayne has several small boutique gift, clothing and jewelry stores. Winn-Dixie has a location on Crandon Boulevard. Other big-box and grocery stores are across the Rickenbacker Causeway.
Several urgent care clinics and doctors' offices are on the Island, but HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is 7 miles west across the causeway.
Metro Bus Service and access to Interstate 95
Metro Bus connects to Key Biscayne with the #26 service running across the causeway to Brickell Avenue. The causeway also directly leads to the entrance to Interstate 95 and downtown Miami. The closest commercial airport is Miami International.
Crime in Miami-Dade County
According to the latest data from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, violent crime has dropped by over 16%, while property crime has decreased by over 12%.
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
