Top 6 Reasons to Live in Key Biscayne, Florida

Nestled between the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the tranquil waters of Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne is one of the most exclusive places to live in South Florida. 

Its sunrises paint the skies in hues of pink and gold, while its breathtaking sunsets drape the land in a blaze of orange, captivating buyers considering a home in the area. Real estate in Key Biscayne can be expensive, but the island offers homes just as splendid as the serene environment. 

To help curious buyers get more intimate with this island paradise, the team at Prevu Real Estate listed the top reasons why people love living in Key Biscayne. 

Reasons to live in Key Biscayne

• Beautiful beaches and lagoons
• Stunning homes 
• Easy commutes to Miami 
• Bustling commercial corridor 
• Eclectic dining options 
• Plenty of parks 

Beautiful beaches and lagoons

While many people head to Miami Beach for a day in the sun, folks living on Key Biscayne can hop in a golf cart and get to the surf in less than five minutes, depending on where they live. 

The calm waters of Biscayne Bay to the west are perfect for paddleboarding, fishing, and kayaking. On the east side, you’ll find folks sun tanning on the white sand beaches. Some stretches are protected by parkland, and other beaches are right outside the high-rise condos towering over the white sands. 

Many folks visiting the island come to Crandon Beach, which has ample parking space for accommodating large crowds. Farther south is Public Access Beach, next to the Oceana Beach Condos. 

From there, the beach continues south, and many condos here have beachfront access for the folks living in the building. Ocean Park near the Mar Azul condos is a happening little beach that people living on Mashta Island and the other luxurious locales near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park have easy access to. 

Once you enter the park, you’ll see an untamed side of the beach that sets it apart from the rest of Key Biscayne’s offerings. Expect plenty of solitude as you wander these sands, which stretch down to Cape Florida Beach in the shadow of the Cape Florida lighthouse. 

Stunning homes 

From luxury homes on the blue waters of Biscayne Bay to beautiful high-rise condos with views of the Atlantic, people investing in Key Biscayne, Florida, have a varied real estate market to select from. Working with a real estate agent helps, as they can show you all the different types of homes for sale. 

The island's east side comprises condos like the Commodore Club, the Grand Bay Tower, and the Sands of Key Biscayne. Living in these managed communities on the ocean often comes with private parking, pools, gyms, spas, and manicured beachfront access. For instance, folks making a real estate investment into a condo at Ocean Tower Two have access to Beach Park, a private copse of trees leading to the beachfront.

There are also options for folks seeking their own plot of land. On the west side of Crandon Boulevard, buyers can find plenty of single-family homes for sale, including a mix of modern contemporaries and Spanish revivals complete with terracotta roof tiles. 

As you get closer to the waterfront, the homes transform into manses, some offering yards with inground pools. Private residences on the island's west side on Harbor Drive have access to Biscayne Bay, offering private waterfronts; some even have docks for their boats. 

Some of the most luxurious houses are on Mashta Island, where homeowners have larger plots of land to build the home of their dreams. Folks living on the island's edges get access to waterfronts like Hurricane Harbor and the South Basin. 

Many people living on the waterfront own boats, but even if you buy an inland home, there are still plenty of opportunities to dock your vessel. You can rent a slip from the Crandon Park Marina, for example, or become a Key Biscayne Yacht Club member.

Easy commutes to Miami 

While Key Biscayne exudes an idyllic sense of seclusion, accessing this island haven is surprisingly convenient. The journey to Key Biscayne offers a breathtaking commute up the Rickenbacker Causeway through some of the most wild parts of the Key. 

Crandon Boulevard is how locals get to and from Miami. A short drive over the Causeway, past the Virginia Key, takes people south of Brickell. That means folks can easily enjoy Miami clubs by night after doing some high-profile shopping on Biscayne Boulevard. 

But driving isn't the only option. For a more scenic and stress-free commute, residents can opt for the island's efficient shuttle services or enjoy a picturesque bike ride along dedicated paths. Boat owners can also use their vessels to travel between Key Biscayne and Miami, docking up in places like the Vice City Marina or the Museum Park Marina.

Bustling commercial corridor 

The best part of living on Key Biscayne is accessibility and convenience. Many folks living on Key Biscayne drive about in personalized golf carts, using them to get around town to pick up groceries. 

Crandon Boulevard is the commercial corridor providing access to groceries and shopping. On the northern end, you can find two gas stations, a 7-11, and The Golden Hog, a popular gourmet grocery store. As you move south, you'll pass shopping outlets like the Arcade Mall and Key Colony Plaza. 

One of the largest outlets is the Galleria Shopping Center, complete with art galleries, a UPS store, and a few clothing boutiques. Here, you can also find a Chase Bank, a Northern Trust, and Vinya Wine & Market, a popular grocery and wine seller.

As you move south toward Bill Baggs State Park, you can find a Winn-Dixie and some clothing stores at the Key Biscayne Shopping Center.

Eclectic dining options 

Locals living in Key Biscayne can dine out across a spectrum of cuisines, from Argentinian, Peruvian, Japanese, and Uruguayan food.

On the northern end of Crandon, over by Harbor Avenue, you can find local favorites like Flour & Weirdoughs bakery and the iconic Donut Gallery Diner. 

As you head south down the Boulevard, you'll find creature comforts like Starbucks at the Key Colony Shopping Plaza and a Subway and Domino's Pizza at the Arcade Shopping Center. But locals love to stop in at The Empanada's Key Biscayne for a quick bite on the go. 

Folks who want to sit down for lunch will likely head to the Ritz-Carlton on the east side of Key Biscayne. With seating overlooking the ocean surf, many folks head to Lightkeepers, where people dine on freshly caught fish and craft cocktails. Another popular spot in this area is Catina Beach, whose tequila list rivals the food offered. 

On the southern end of Key Biscayne are three of the most popular restaurants in the area. Toscana Mare - Towers of Key Biscayne offers seafood prepared in the Mediterranean style paired with fine wine. Boat captains entering No Name Harbor usually dock and dine at Boater's Grill, serving seafood cooked in a Latin style. 

Lastly, after a day exploring the trails of Bill Baggs, many folks stop in at the Lighthouse Cafe, where folks can eat burgers and fries beachside with views of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. 

Plenty of parks 

While most folks come to Key Biscayne for the beachfront lifestyle, there are plenty of outdoor spaces to lose yourself in. 

To the south is Bill Baggs State Park, where folks can fish, swim, and explore trails cut through mangrove and marine hammock forests. Animal lovers flock to the park to witness over 50 butterfly species and 170 types of birds that call the Key home. 

Village Green Park on Crandon Boulevard is in the middle of the residential section of Key Biscayne. Folks can find respite at this grassy park with a community center, a pool, and clay courts for sports. 

But the crown jewel of the Key is Crandon Park. Trails snake throughout the dense marshland forests, leading visitors to fossilized coral reefs and secluded sandbars. The park also offers lit-up tennis courts at the Crandon Park Tennis Center. 

Another big draw in the park is the Crandon Golf Course at Key Biscayne. With 18 holes surrounded by maritime hammock trees and marshy water features, this course provides a great day on the links. 

Homes for sale in Key Biscayne, FL

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