Summerland Key offers a laidback vibe compared to Key West
Summerland Key offers the typical trappings of living in the Florida Keys. It’s a secluded destination that features waterfront homes and enviable access to nautical adventures. Yet, it attracts those seeking a more laidback alternative to Key West, about 25 miles away. Summerland Key is home to a private airport nestled into a residential area and Mote Marine’s International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, the community’s largest employer.
Homes sit along deepwater canals, and most have boats
Homes are concentrated on the south side of the community along residential canals. Most homes have boats floating in their backyards or parked in their front yards. “It’s a fishing paradise, and there’s deepwater access, so you can get some big boats into the neighborhood,” says Tommy Mack , founder and principal owner of Coastal Collection Real Estate LLC. Many homes have pools. Streets are narrow and shaded by palms, with lush vegetation adding curb appeal. Prices typically range from the mid-$600,000s to $3 million-plus, depending on size, location and amenities. However, a newly built home can sell for $5 million-plus. Seven Palms Cove is a new development that contains just seven three-level homes in a resort-style setting. The waterfront properties list for nearly $4.4 million each and offer long-term potential as rental properties.
The median age here is 58, and Mack estimates that about 60 percent of residents are snowbirds. The area has always been popular with seasonal residents.
With severe weather in mind, know your evacuation zone
The community faces a very high risk of flooding and wind damage. Those risks are heightened during hurricane season, which runs from May through November. Given the Keys' waterfront location, nothing is built there without severe weather in mind to mitigate potential damage.
Monroe County has a phased evacuation system, so it is important for residents to know their evacuation zone in the case of a storm-related order. U.S. Route 1, also known as the Overseas Highway, is the only evacuation route, and the mainland is more than 100 miles away. Tips for securing a home when a severe storm is bearing down include:
Installing hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood
- Bringing in all unsecured outdoor furniture or accessories
- Trimming trees and removing lose debris around the property
- Making sure the roof, gutters and downspouts are clear
- Preparing a 7-day disaster kit with vital supplies
A lifestyle that lends itself to boating, fishing and snorkeling
On any given day, residents can cruise the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and other nearby waters such as Florida Bay and the Gulf. The location lends itself to kayaking and snorkeling among coral reefs. There are also plenty of opportunities for anglers, who can fish from shore, fish the flats or head out for a day of deep-sea fishing. A new marina is the featured attraction at Summerland Key Airport. Bahia Honda State Park is a popular attraction about 12 miles away. It features three beaches and is a popular spot for camping.
Community staples for shopping and dining, but no nightlife
Murray’s Market, Summerland Seafood on Fisherman’s Row, Tonio’s Seafood Shack & Tiki Bar and Galley Grill are community staples. “It’s very quiet; there’s no nightlife,” says Mack, who adds that Square Grouper, Kiki’s Sandbar and Boondocks are popular nearby destinations. There's a Winn-Dixie and Bealls in Big Pine Key about 6 miles away.
Travel by shuttle or car along the Overseas Highway
Like most places in the Keys, it’s not uncommon to see residents riding around on bikes. For regional travel, the Lower Keys Shuttle runs between Key West and Marathon seven days a week. It stops at Mote’s research facility near Mile Marker 24 along the Overseas Highway. Key West and Marathon are about 30 minutes away, and both have full-service hospitals. It takes more than two hours to drive to Homestead, the first city on the mainland, and Miami is almost three hours away.
![Matt Pallister]()
Written By
Matt Pallister
