Community Forums

Steve Ownby · 11-16-2015, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

We saw a sign in Key West that said "You are closer to Cuba than a Walmart".

We stop at the BJs in FC to stock up and make a couple trips each winter there. Grocery prices are a tough to handle in the Keys. I can understand it though. Not easy shipping anything there.

Winn Dixie and Publix both have stores in the Keys. Grocery prices are some what higher than if you value shop on the main land but not bad. Part of the flavor of the keys is doing business with the small stores & moms & pops.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Deny · 11-17-2015, 04:31 AM

Best grocery store in the keys is the Trading Post in Islamorada- Great Butcher Shop

Great Key Lime Pie! at the trading post, voted in the top 5 pies every year. Get 1 to Go

Yep! prices are up there-bring what you can from home, if you are price sensitive.

TangoFox · 11-19-2015, 09:32 PM

Most Turnpike rest areas do not allow overnight parking, so the signs say.

However, there is only 1 Trooper that will bother you if you park overnight in the southern ones (Snapper Creek / Pompano), and he'll just ask you to move on. The others do not bother you, nor do they care. Someone said it was unsafe in these rest areas? How so? At night there is a Trooper within 100 yards of you.

I actually live right next to Snapper Creek and have considered putting people up in my Driveway, but I don't think my DW will allow it.

Robert is Here is pretty nice, but touristy. But there's also Knaus Berry Farm (no, not the same) - they have DELICIOUS cinnamon rolls, milk shakes, and pastries. The Knaus family is a variation of amish / mennonite, but I can't remember the exact sect. Burr's Berry Farm is nice too, but smaller and mostly for ice cream / shakes / fruit.

As far as camping - I've been told that no Walmart in Florida officially allows RV parking overnight. However, there is a brand new Walmart in Homestead off exit 5 (Biscayne Ave) with a huge under-utilized parking lot. This shows up on walmartatlas as not-allowed, but the app shows up as allowed.

A better bet is probably Snapper Creek.

JC and Angie · 12-02-2015, 08:55 AM

There's plans to build a wall mart about 15 north of KW. Been a real big discussion on who will work there as living costs are high and even at 10per hr wages still won't pay the bills. Or so the argument goes!!! N

HD4Mark · 12-03-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC and Angie

There's plans to build a wall mart about 15 north of KW. Been a real big discussion on who will work there as living costs are high and even at 10per hr wages still won't pay the bills. Or so the argument goes!!! N

Supposedly Walmart is now planning on building low cost housing on top of the store. Heard this through the rumor mill. I'm torn on this issue. It would be nice to have a another choice where to shop especially for groceries and might keep the Publix and Winn Dixie honest but don't like the rapid commercialization of the Keys and traffic problems it will cause. They are already talking about fixing the traffic light problems on Big Pine about 20 miles away from the proposed Walmart site on Rockland Key to prevent back ups.

TangoFox · 12-03-2015, 10:04 AM

There is enough low and lower middle class in Key west to staff the store, that I am sure.

twinboat · 12-03-2015, 10:32 AM

The Hotel industry has issues with help in the Keys. Most of the help comes from Miami on the few bus's that run.

HD4Mark · 12-03-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The Hotel industry has issues with help in the Keys. Most of the help comes from Miami on the few bus's that run.

Yes, they want to pay minimum wage in a place where you are lucky to find an apartment for $3000 a month.

1bigmess · 12-03-2015, 01:54 PM

Since I am interested in possibly getting as far as Key West this winter, can we get back on topic? I really don't need the entire run down on S. FL and KW geoeconomics.

HD4Mark · 12-03-2015, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

Since I am interested in possibly getting as far as Key West this winter, can we get back on topic? I really don't need the entire run down on S. FL and KW geoeconomics.

Sorry I guess we did get off topic. When do you plan to be in the Keys? Jan. & Feb. can be difficult to find a site without reservations.

Overnight parking is not legal in Monroe county and might get a knock at the door by the sheriff. The state parks book months ahead of time but sometimes you can luck out with a cancellation. https://www.boydscampground.com/ is the closest CG to Key West. Have not been there in years so I can't really comment on how it is.

Don't try to take a large MH or camper into old town Key West as the streets are very narrow and crowded.

1bigmess · 12-03-2015, 02:40 PM

I'd just be wandering that way, but probably late Feb. It's one of those places that I just gotta see while I can. No real plans now, then, or after, you know? Just a list of places I want to visit and experience.

TangoFox · 12-03-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

I'd just be wandering that way, but probably late Feb. It's one of those places that I just gotta see while I can. No real plans now, then, or after, you know? Just a list of places I want to visit and experience.

Military? Navy Key West has a huge camp ground.

mdo · 12-03-2015, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoFox

Military? Navy Key West has a huge camp ground.

Open to retired DOD civilians too...

1bigmess · 12-03-2015, 06:40 PM

Nope, not .mil. That's ok, those folks deserve the benefits of their service. I'll find somewhere I can slide into for a handful of days. I'm not looking for long term camping, and can hover about the mainland until I find space.

Like I said, no plans, but I didn't include that I'm not in any kind of rush. I gotta visit relatives all along the southern edge of the US before I get close enough to FLA to begin to be concerned.

But I'm glad someone started this topic in boondocking otherwise I might not have seen it at all.