[bluejeans]

On a real estate site, I've seen several trailers in the mid-keys (forgotten which islands) for around $40,000. I imagine they're very spartan, and will probably need a bit of work done to them, but is such cheap real estate in a half-decent area, or are the keys in general relatively safe, crime-wise? (at least, compared to an area with a similar population)

[iashell]

Do you realize how many hurricanes go thru the Keys? Trailers are the first thing to go. Do more homework on the subject before you decide.

[Summerbreeze]

The keys are all beautiful, and each one is so small that you really can't be too far from the water. Some are alittle larger, like Marathon. The poster above me is right about the hurricane thing with a trailer. But also, if you live in a trailer....you might be living with more undesirable people than you bargained for. You may hit a place that is ok, but I'd check it out. The Keys ARE NOT crime free. They have lots of crime there. My boyfrind was a detective there, and there is murder and stabbings etc.... It's not the way it looks. Like any place, the more you pay, the better it gets, pretty much. If you don't mind the neighbors, and just want to get into the keys some how, and this is the only way, and you don't care, than go for it. Many people do go this way....see how it goes, you can always sell it right? Good luck and happy Islanding!

[mrs1885]

Check it out very well. With the hurricanes that came through last year, my bet is a $40,000 trailer has sustained a considerable amount of damage. However, the Keys are the most beautiful place I have ever been. I don't care much for the other islands - I really prefer Old Town, which means multi-million dollar homes. Keep in mind they also have tons of events there and while they go on you can't get anywhere. Traffic and lines in stores back up forever and sitting for hours to go somewhere is not unheard of.
In my opinion, a piece of land in the Keys alone is worth 40K, but you may have to put a new trailer on it or do extensive remodeling. Also - everything there is more expensive.
KW is my home away from home. We spend a week there several times a year. It's beautiful, but like everthing else, do your homework first.

[bluejeans]

thanks for all the replies, guys. I don't seriously want to buy property in the keys, but on the other side of the world, I wanted to get an idea of what it was "like" there. I saw some mugshots on the monroe CO website, and it really does seem that crooks look the same all over - you can find people that look exactly the same in Australia

[mrs1885]

The crooks are the same everywhere!!
But it truly is a gorgeous place. Perhaps not to buy a trailer, but to vacation - you just can't get any more laid back and relaxed. KW is the one and only thing I will miss when we move!!