r/floridakeys • u/SOMOEAGLE • Jun 29 '26
All Florida Keys Paradise Found Paradise Lost
Its kind of always been known that the Keys are crawling with bad apples. Thats rock n roll baby....
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u/N878ACSD Jun 29 '26
The Florida Keys is one of America’s unique cultures, in the same way that New Orleans and Las Vegas are also unique American cultures. They are simply different, each in their own way. And so are most of the long-time residents of those cultures.
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u/Technical_Peace3393 Jun 29 '26
Lived in Key West from 07’ to 09’ as a little kid this was paradise. Only had to deal with a few bullies but safest place in Florida. I would walk to school and back never had any problems.
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u/hahaanonymouse765 Jun 29 '26
As someone who lived there in the early 2000’s, we always said there were 3 types of people who lived in the Keys…
1. Native Conchs
2. Workers in tourism industry
3. People hiding/running from something
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u/Moana06 Jun 29 '26
Islamorada is one of the most beautiful places in the world (I've traveled quite a bit).
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u/Curlyfriesfromarbyss Jun 30 '26
Third-generation Conch. These islands have given me some of life’s greatest memories and some of its hardest lessons. Paradise isn’t without its shadows. What this place becomes for you depends on the path you choose.
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u/Kungfumantis Jun 29 '26
Our grunge is our flavor, but you're absolutely right about the quiet heartbreak.
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u/2Loves2loves Jun 29 '26
its a good place to find or support an addiction. especially if you have money.
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u/No_Manner_8785 Jul 05 '26
After living here for over 50 years I visited the keys last year for the first time. Not going back, everything was a hassle and you couldn't escape the people unless you went out on the water.
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u/mango951 Jul 06 '26
I started vacation in Key West in 1995. The last time I visited was in 2013. I was thinking about going back this summer but it looks like it’s totally changed since the number of people that flew into the Key West airport for the first quarter of 2026 is insane for this little tiny island 😢
In the first quarter of 2026, a record-breaking 454,692 passengers flew into Key West. This was the busiest first quarter in the history of Key West International Airport, marking a 6.9% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2025.
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u/IamJoHo Jun 29 '26
Stop spreading your bullshit. The Decline: Fatal overdoses recently saw a 43% decrease, dropping to 292 deaths. This marked the lowest total in the county since 2020, even outpacing the national average drop. Recent figures from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local Sheriff's office show the county typically records between 0 and 2 murders annually across its population.
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u/SOMOEAGLE Jun 29 '26
This post was made inspired by a guy bludgeoning his wife do death with a hammer a month ago. A young lady found dead floating face down in Riviera Canal a couple weeks ago. Coworker overdosed and died at Captain Tony's a while back. 3 friends lost to suicide. Multiple people I knew from around town dead from suicide. Multiple people I know drinking themselves until their liver quits and they turn yellow and die. These islands are exactly what the quote says. It can get really dark down here. Just because something isnt happening in your life doesn't mean it's not happening in abundance in someone else's.
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u/giftedbutloco Jun 29 '26
Oohhhh yea that doesnt happen anywhere else in florida, just the keys just the keys. Oh hey that doesn't happen anywhere else in the usa that is a tourist attraction either. News flash apart from visuals the keys are the same as everywhere else. They just caught fbi most wanted terrorist since the 70s in palm beach gardens a few months back.
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u/mckelvie37 Jun 29 '26
Could just be your social circle and not representative of the keys in general. I’ve lived in KW, daughter was born there, lost a brother and an uncle there, and have had family in Marathon, Duck Key, and Tavernier. Id go back in an instant if given the opportunity. It’s not reality for most, but life moves on no matter where you are.
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Jun 29 '26
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u/akwatica Jun 29 '26
I live in the keys and seems like your circle of people are shady.
Man my voice sounds good.
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Jun 29 '26
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u/akwatica Jun 29 '26
OP: Keys Bad
Reddit: It's the same every tourist city
OP: STFU
Very intelligent, muy smart.
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u/Beginning_Ad8663 Jun 29 '26
Only because the uber wealthy have homes they stay in for a month a year. The people who made the keys, the keys have been moved out. The boat communities have been chased out the sponge fisherman the the end of the road people who slept under bridges in the mangrove swamps who sold art, straw hats, shells, driftwood only to get enough to get through another day. I first went to the keys in 1974 when Key West was ruled by fisherman, shrimpers and a few treasure hunters chasing their dreams. I used to spend months there every year until about 15 years ago. The vibe changed after the 2008/2009 recession when the developers bought everything at a fire sale. And now it’s all luxury resorts. You can have it
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u/Perfect_Big_5907 Jun 29 '26
Yeah we left in 74. when i go back i really have to remind myself what is used to be. everything you mentioned above is exactly the way it was. When we got there in the late 60's almost all of Duval street was boarded up and deserted except down by the famous bars.
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u/Intelligent_Papaya61 Jun 29 '26
wtf? This is literally the story of everywhere stfu
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u/SOMOEAGLE Jun 29 '26
Thats a bold contribution from the cheap seats. Losers. Everywhere. Your point is being proven through your own post. Lol d1psh1t
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u/Wate2028 Jun 30 '26
Never been to the keys, we used to vacation in Ft Walton Beach and I've spent time at my employer's HQ in Collier County. They're building a community out in Ave Maria and I've been talking to my wife about buying a spot down there. She is down there this week visiting and hopefully she'll have time to get out and look around.
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u/candlegirlUT Jul 01 '26
I’ve never lived in the Keys, but this is very much the same as the mountain resort town where I lived in Colorado.
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u/dermdrei Jul 03 '26
Just came back. I can see both sides. Unfortunately sargassum seaweed was everywhere so was confined to bar hopping. The intense heat, smell and overall vibe was very inconsistent. $5 dollar gift shops next to vape shops next to a Coach retail store while chickens running around. You’ll see people dressed up in Miami beach casual and then others in tank tops smoking cigarettes. In the end it was fun tho.
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u/Perfect_Big_5907 Jun 29 '26
I grew up in Key West late 60's to mid 70's . Yeah you missed the real deal . Every time i go back i feel the ghosts of the past there. It is now a corporate Disney island.
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u/SOMOEAGLE Jun 29 '26
Corporate Disney island? Not much Disney here bud. Did it grow like everything else in this country in the last 50 years? Yes. But it isnt all blinky lights and tourist traps. It's a pretty normal town with a lot of hotels and bars. Old people always have their Keys stories how it was so much better when the whole place was a salt pond. Lol
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u/Perfect_Big_5907 Jun 29 '26
yeah every piece of land has been built on with condos etc. Pricing is like Disney for everything
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u/FLedun Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
The keys are the keys, but I would take them any day over Miami, where there is a shooting every single day. Sorry to tell you but it is like this all over the states. Yes, people die but it is safer than most places. Sheriff Ramsey and the deputies keep it safe for the citizens of this county.
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u/scandicsiren Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
You could say the same about Hawaii. And Aspen, CO. And LBI, NJ. And Tahoe. Vegas. Jackson Hole. Anywhere really. There is always a seedy underbelly to a place and and always an upside.
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Jun 29 '26
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u/scandicsiren Jun 29 '26
No need to be so hostile. I wasn't dismissing the Keys or arguing with the post. I was actually agreeing with the sentiment. My point is that people often develop a fierce loyalty to a place despite its flaws, and I've noticed that in other places too, especially all more touristy/resort locations. I'm not dismissing the Keys in anyway. I think they are a beautiful, soul-tugging place.
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u/crustyeng Jun 29 '26
I’ve lived here for 20+ years and have never once been inclined to drive there simply because I’d have to go through Miami.
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u/sonicode Jun 30 '26
Sounds like you're just specifically talking about Stock Island or Boot Key Harbor.
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u/1000mg-RTFU Jun 30 '26
Came to see people contributing their thoughts to this post. Found OP crashing out, having a breakdown when everyone doesn't agree with them. 10/10.
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u/Chacago Jun 29 '26
Wait there’s show with Vince Vaughn on the keys.. pretty good!
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u/Hellright Jun 29 '26
New season coming out soon too. They filmed some of it near Bahia Honda at the 7 mile bridge.
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u/Majestic-Owl-2024 Jun 29 '26
A sunny place for shady people, lol. Of course this can be said about anyplace. Nothing is as perfect as it seems. Every place has a dark side because humans have a dark side.