New Town
From salt ponds to Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is the longest of the city’s public beaches, covering half a mile of shoreline with white, sugary sand. Windsurfers skid across the gentle current while locals enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the clear water. The beach sits oceanside behind the airport, bordering the island’s massive salt flats. Kayakers often explore these brackish waters, and hikers will find a peaceful trail and wooden boardwalk in Little Hamaca, a salt pond preserve with meandering mangrove forests home to crocodiles, snakes, birds and other island wildlife. The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, a short drive across the bridge to Stock Island, has since 1936 preserved local flora and provided additional habitat for native species. Golfers often head this way to visit the Key West Golf Club, the only public, 18-hole golf course in the Lower Keys.The newly renovated Cozumel Park, one of New Town’s only neighborhood parks, includes a shaded playground, an artificial turf field and a half-basketball court. Its splash pad is popular with kids all year, and the spacious picnic area has become a local destination for birthday parties. Youth leagues practice and play at the Clayton Sterling baseball complex, a collection of four fields about a block from the local high school’s stadium. “Everyone really congregates at the baseball fields on the weekend,” says Lisa Ferringo, broker associate with Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate, who has lived in the Keys for more than 20 years. The Blake Fernandez Skate Park, which borders one of the fields, draws teens from across the island. Ferringo also says Bayview Park is another local favorite, adding that festivals and community events often occur in this sports-centric green space.
Waterfront properties on the Riviera Canal
Midcentury architecture is prevalent in New Town, especially with the neighborhood’s smaller homes, although many older styles have been replaced with contemporary models. Condos such as Salt Ponds Condominium Association and the neighboring Las Salinas Condominiums sometimes allow properties to be licensed as long-term rentals, but most units are owned and occupied by locals. Surprisingly, New Town is one of the island’s few neighborhoods with waterfront properties, says Brenda Donnelly, broker and owner of Brenda Donnelly Real Estate and a 40-year resident of Key West. “There are some homes on the Riviera Canal that are very popular with boaters because you can park your boat at your house, which you can’t do anywhere [else],” Donnelly says. Boaters without private docks can use the new Happy Landings Marina or rent a slip on Stock Island. Homes along the canal are usually the most expensive, ranging from $1.5 to $4 million. Inland properties needing repairs may sell for under a million, but renovations to bring the home up to flood mitigation standards can be costly. Most single-family homes cost between $1 million and $2 million. Depending on square footage and amenities, two-bedroom condos and townhouses can range from $500,000 to $900,000. New Town’s lower elevation puts it at high risk for flooding during hurricanes, tropical storms and king tides, so flood insurance is highly recommended and even required for some home loans.
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Poinciana Elementary within walking distance
Poinciana Elementary School, rated B-plus on Niche, serves kindergarten through fifth grade students from a walkable campus at the heart of New Town. Horace O’Bryant School, a B-rated kindergarten through eighth grade option in Old Town, welcomes Poinciana students for middle school. B-plus-rated Key West High School, within walking distance for some students, offers dual enrollment with The College of the Florida Keys. Students can also enroll in the college’s STEM-focused Academy Public Charter High School. Private faith-based options include Grace Lutheran School, the Montessori School of Key West and The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, home to Monroe County’s only private Catholic high school program.
Locals grab pizza at Big John’s
The northern coast of New Town supports all three of the city’s traditional shopping centers, offering access to chain restaurants, salons, gyms and banks. Searstown Shopping Center features Publix, T.J. Maxx and a Regal movie theater. There’s a second Publix located a few blocks away in Key Plaza, where the Key Plaza Creperie specializes in gourmet galettes and weekend brunch. Big John’s Pizzeria, located next door, has served authentic Italian pizza out of its terra cotta-colored dining room since 1997. “Big John’s is probably one of the most popular local spots in New Town,” Ferringo says. In addition to a Winn-Dixie grocery store and Ross Dress for Less, the neighboring Overseas Market shopping mall is home to the New York-style Goldman’s Deli, where bagels are made using the Big Apple’s traditional “boil and bake” process. Boutique shopping, local restaurants and famous bars like Sloppy Joe’s are about 3 miles away in Old Town, the city’s cultural and nightlife hub.
Many annual events occur in Old Town
Key West is well-known for its full calendar of events, which includes everything from the annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival to the Key West Lime Festival. In summer, when the island is less saturated with tourists, locals gather to watch the fireworks during the Patriotic Party at Indigenous Park or eat their fill of the Keys’ uniquely spiny lobsters during Lobsterfest. July also brings Hemingway Days, a jubilant celebration of the late author and former resident Ernest Hemingway. Families head to Bayview Park in December for the annual lighted bike ride and Hometown Holiday Parade. Other holiday traditions include the Harbor Walk of Lights, a nautically themed display of Christmas lights at the island’s historic seaport.
New Town connects drivers with the Overseas Highway
New Town is comfortably bikeable, with low car speed limits and minimal through traffic on residential roads. Sidewalks make the area walkable, especially for students, although many residents choose to drive when visiting nearby shopping centers or heading to Old Town. The Lower Keys Shuttle provides bus service throughout the area, connecting commuters with Marathon 50 miles north. Drivers have easy access to U.S. Highway 1, also known as the Overseas Highway, which spans the Keys with impressive bridges. Key West International Airport is less than 3 miles away.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
Video By
Drew Webster
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Everett Watkins
Everett Watkins
Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty
(888) 614-4751
42 Total Sales
6 in New Town
$60K - $1.1M Price Range
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Dan Serban
Dan Serban
Key West Luxury Real Estate Inc (KW)
(786) 589-8683
122 Total Sales
39 in New Town
$360K - $3.8M Price Range
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Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Denver
(720) 697-2577
51 Total Sales
1 in New Town
$1,400,000 Price
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Anneliese Dietrick
Anneliese Dietrick
Coldwell Banker Schmitt Lower Keys (KW)
(844) 666-4591
33 Total Sales
2 in New Town
$500,000 Price Range
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Sandra Tuttle
Sandra Tuttle
Island Welcome Real Estate
(786) 751-6441
207 Total Sales
2 in New Town
$740K - $850K Price Range
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Krissy Carnahan
Krissy Carnahan
Realty ONE Group Destination (ISL)
(786) 745-3395
21 Total Sales
1 in New Town
$341,906 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 7th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Truman Waterfront Park
Little Hamaca Park
Wickers Sports Complex
Key West Professional Plaza
The Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | New Town | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
New Town Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in New Town, Key West sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in New Town, Key West over the last 12 months is $268,500, down 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$329,495
Median Sale Price
$268,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$331,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$318,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$875,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
192
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-27%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$198
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,720
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Median Year Built
1968
Months of Supply
0.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,557
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,525
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
873
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
552
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662
Open Houses
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Wednesday, Jul 304 - 6pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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-
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$2,276 - $4,588 per month
- Ocean Walk
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 500+ Sq Ft
- 3900 S Roosevelt Blvd
- Key West, FL
Condo Buildings
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,814
Median Age
42
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$60,494
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$93,674
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34.8%
Advanced Degrees
12.1%
% Population in Labor Force
70.2%
Above the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
22
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
The Meadows
Historic and vibrantly landscaped Key West community beside a marina
Mid Town
Convenient midcentury neighborhood in the heart of Key West
Stock Island
Small boating community with many marinas just a few miles from Key West
Casa Marina
Midcentury and contemporary architecture fill this historic oceanside community
Old Town
Historic, artsy and restaurant-filled neighborhood at the heart of Key West
Truman Annex
A historic waterfront neighborhood close to parks and Duval Street restaurants
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