Laid-back vacation living comes naturally when you’re in Key Largo, a dream destination for many and a place most want to call home. This sun-drenched city sits at the northernmost point of the region, earning itself the nickname, “Gateway to Paradise” – and for good reason. It is home to the world’s second-largest artificial reef and lush state parks, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Upper Keys.
With a length of approximately 33 miles, Key Largo takes its name from the Spanish “Cayo Largo,” meaning “Long Key,” and is the longest and largest in the island chain of the fabulous Florida Keys. This tropical paradise is the county seat of Monroe County, the southernmost county in Florida and the country. As the self-proclaimed Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo is a mecca for scuba divers and sun worshippers.
It’s no secret that Key Largo neighborhoods are where you’ll find some of the most sought-after residences and commercial spots in the region. To know more about the lifestyle of Key Largo residents and the unique features of its communities, check out this comprehensive neighborhood guide.
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TOP LUXURY COMMUNITIES IN KEY LARGO
Key Largo may be just a short drive from Florida’s posh destinations, but the city itself exudes an idyllic island lifestyle. With most neighborhoods located along the waterfront and a population of around 22,000, Key Largo has a sparse suburban feel tempered by the strong sense of community among its residents.
Living here, one has the opportunity to be surrounded by awe-inspiring nature while having exceptional access to modern conveniences. Neighborhoods are surrounded by national parks teeming with rich wildlife both on land and in the water but residents don’t need to travel far to enjoy the busy hotspots of mainland Florida. From flat-fishing in the morning and then clubbing in Miami in the evening – the Key Largo lifestyle is that versatile.
Whether buyers are looking for waterfront homes for sale in Key Largo or luxury homes to invest in, they will surely find a property that meets – or even exceeds – their expectations in the city’s top neighborhoods. However unique each of these neighborhoods are, they all still possess a common characteristic: Key Largo neighborhoods are places where residents can leave their cares behind.
Buttonwood Bay
Astounding views of the bay or the bustling marina delight the residents of Buttonwood Bay. This is a 42-acre gated condominium complex with premium residences and luxury amenities sitting on a unique ecosystem called a tropical hammock. Its residents experience majestic sunsets each day and unrivaled access to aquatic activities while pockets of lush vegetation surround their community.
One of the best gated communities in Key Largo, FL, Buttonwood Bay has properties with a median listing price of around $1.2 million. There are 280 condominium units fronting Florida Bay, with each unit having its own boat slip on the canal. Most units have two or three bedrooms with several floor plans to choose from.
A boater’s paradise, Buttonwood Bay also boasts a deep-water coral rock harbor that connects the Intracoastal Waterway and Florida Bay. The sandy beach within the community is where residents may lounge on the sand or take strolls while barefoot. The community has 24-hour manned security and an electronic gate system that controls the entry of people, ensuring that only Buttonwood Bay residents can come in or out of its gates.
Some of Buttonwood Bay’s amenities include
- Three swimming pools
- Five tennis courts
- Shuffleboard courts
- Game room
- Saunas
- Fitness center
- Clubhouse with sundeck
- Waterside patios
- Marina
- Dry storage and boat ramp for boats on trailers
- On-site bait and tackle shop
Located on Mile Marker 96 on the Overseas Highway, Buttonwood Bay provides great access to nearby shops, salons, and home improvement depots. Families living here could travel easily to Key Largo Community Park for some family-sized recreation. Those craving Key Lime Pie may head for Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen to savor the restaurant’s specialty, as well as other delectable dishes.
Calusa Campground Condominium
Situated on Mile Marker 101.5 on the bay side, Calusa Campground Condominium offers the most versatile residential and vacation properties in Key Largo. Apart from the neighborhood’s modern condo units, it also plays host to one of the most popular camping destinations in the region. This unique combination of year-long residents and seasonal renters allows everyone to mingle with different people each time amid a relaxing setting.
From Key Largo luxury rentals to modest campers, this neighborhood offers options suited for all kinds of budgets. Those who want to fully immerse themselves in nature may opt to stay in the sprawling campgrounds. Meanwhile, the modern condo units in the neighborhood come in two-bedroom and one-bedroom floor plans complete with a kitchenette and balcony. The median listing price for homes in this neighborhood is $665,552.
Pet owners and their furry buddies are welcome to stay in this pet-friendly community. Moreover, it has a friendly staff that oversees the units and campgrounds. Some of the neighborhood facilities include a pool, outdoor patio, basketball court, and tennis court. Guests can also rent golf carts for cruising around the park.
Both campers and residents of this community need only to travel a short distance to savor some of the freshest local seafood at one of the Keys’ finest restaurants, The Fish House Restaurant & Seafood Market. Residents can play basketball or baseball at the pet-friendly Friendship Park. The A-rated, public Ocean Studies Charter School offers a marine science-enriched curriculum that is well-suited to life in the Keys.
Residents may enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling at the first underwater park in the country, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. From snorkeling and scuba tours to glass-bottom boat tours – this thriving park has it all. Its 5,000-year-old coral reef teems with hundreds of fish species, turtles, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, and sponges. At Cannon Beach, visitors could swim out to the mysterious remnants of a Spanish shipwreck.
Cross Key Waterways
Potential home buyers may choose among the different luxury home styles and sizes in this community. Known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Key Largo, Cross Key Waterways offers newly constructed homes, apartments, and cabins right on the waterfront. What makes this community popular among families and retirees is that some properties can be customized or remodeled.
Whether buyers are looking for vacation rentals, planning on long-term stays, or moving in to enjoy Key Largo living every day, they are bound to find a property that suits their budget at Cross Key Waterways. The waterfront homes for sale in this neighborhood have a median listing price of approximately $1,089,250.
This oceanfront neighborhood is a good fit for families as there are a number of schools close by, such as the College of the Florida Keys and St. Justin Martyr Preschool. Young professionals working in Miami will also appreciate the straightforward drive to and from their homes. Baptist Health Homestead Hospital is also a quick drive away via the Overseas Highway.
At Harry Harris Beach and Park, couples could take a romantic stroll on the shore while children could get active at the playground. A quick getaway to the beach of nearby Key Largo Kampground and Marina is possible, as well. Meanwhile, Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant and Bar is where residents could paint the town red with good food, happy hour specials, and live music.
Key Largo Beach
Minutes away from breathtaking beaches, Key Largo Beach is a favorite neighborhood for independent living in the Keys. The area caters to a diverse set of people ranging from young professionals to families and retirees as they all have equal opportunities to explore the natural wonders of the coast while living a maintenance-free lifestyle. However, senior adults have a particular fondness for the neighborhood because it empowers them to stay active among people of the same age group. Independent living options are composed primarily of bungalows or single-story apartments that allow for easy and convenient mobility, as well as wheelchair accessibility.
Conveniently located at Buttonwood Circle, Key Largo Beach is close to snorkeling shops, fishing stores, and retail shopping at Tradewinds Shopping Center. Locals typically start the morning with fresh coffee and customized donuts at Sandbar Donuts. They can also savor the catch of the day cooked at Lazy Lobster Seafood.
Residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins up close at the dock or have a memorable swimming experience with these intelligent creatures at nearby Dolphins Plus Bayside. They can also explore the sea while staying on dry land at the History of Diving Museum. Nearby facilities like Baptist Health Mariners Hospital and Miami International Airport are easily accessible from Key Largo Beach.
Landings of Largo
The community of Landings of Largo is much like the celebrated Southern Florida weather: warm and friendly. This bayside complex has a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos surrounded by palm trees and lush tropical plants. Spectacular views of the ocean and the marina remind residents every day of the aquatic adventures that are easily within reach.
Featuring some of the more affordable waterfront homes for sale in Key Largo, this apartment complex is popular among young professionals and small families. Properties in this community stay in the market for about 95 days and have a median price listing of around $590,225.
Even with the relative affordability of properties in Landings of Largo, amenities in the community are still competitive with those in other Key Largo neighborhoods. The condo complex itself has security detail and a gated entrance, as well as the amenities below.
- heated swimming pools
- basketball courts
- lighted tennis and pickleball courts
- Bocce court
- fitness room
- private marina
- boat slips and boat ramp
- pier for fishing or sunset watching
Conveniently located along Mile Marker 98 in the bayside area, this neighborhood is ideal for laid-back living. Residents can dance the night away to live music at The Catch Restaurant & Bar. No Florida meal is complete without the delicious conch dishes of Key Largo Conch House.
Birdwatchers and hikers flock to the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park to marvel at diverse animal and plant life.
Families will appreciate the neighborhood’s proximity to schools like the A-rated Ocean Studies Charter School and the Montessori Academy of the Upper Keys. At the American Sailing Association Sailing School, residents can sign up for intensive sail training under award-winning certified sailors.
Port Largo Villas
Each day seems like a vacation when living in one of the top gated communities in Key Largo, FL. This condo complex is located along the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean, giving residents unrivaled access to the open water.
With generous interior spaces, private docks, a Jacuzzi on its premises, and an on-site team to tend to condo maintenance, it’s not a surprise that the condos of Port Largo Villas manage to exude a luxurious vibe. Other shared amenities include
- Swimming pool
- Marina
- Horseshoe pits
- Volleyball court
- Basketball court
- Barbecue area
- Covered gazebo
Families with children will appreciate the walking distance to Jacobs Aquatic Center which features three world-class swimming pools, a 12-foot diving well, and an interactive water park with a pirate theme. Enjoy waterfront entertainment while dining on fresh oysters at the nearby Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill. The Blue Fin Rock Harbor Marina is just a 10-minute drive from Port Largo Villas.
For an unforgettable diving adventure, interested residents could take a day trip to The Spiegel Grove Wreck, a U.S. Navy landing ship dock that was sunk more than 20 years ago to serve as an artificial reef for the area’s marine life. Today, the shipwreck is covered in coral and is home to a thriving marine ecosystem.
Paradise Point Senior Apartments
Paradise Point Senior Apartments entices adults 55 years and older to enjoy the best years of their lives with maintenance-free living amid the warm tropical weather. The complex offers 42 apartments with one or two bedrooms. Each unit is furnished with a kitchenette and has ample space for seniors to live independently and comfortably.
This pet-friendly complex has a business center, a fitness room, and a library. The community room and common patio are perfect for mingling with other residents or holding group events. For the safety and security of residents, Paradise Point features all-interior apartment entrances.
Set in North Blackwater Lane, Paradise Point is one of the more expediently located Key Largo neighborhoods and brings residents close to the diverse habitats of the Keys. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is just across the Overseas Highway. One of the four national wildlife refuges in the Florida Keys, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, is mere minutes away. At nearby Rowell’s Waterfront Park, residents can spend their mornings walking with friends or watching manatees and dolphins frolicking in the ocean.
There are several tourist destinations and restaurants close to Paradise Point. When it comes to dining and entertainment, Blackwater Siren calls out to those craving coconut onion rings and karaoke nights. Shopping reigns supreme in this neighborhood as Port Largo Plaza, Tradewinds Shopping Center, and Pink Plaza are all just a 10-minute drive away.
NEED HELP IN FINDING YOUR PIECE OF PARADISE IN SUNNY FLORIDA?
Key Largo is clearly one of the best choices when it comes to finding your next abode, vacation home, or real estate investment along the sun-kissed coast of Southwest Florida. World-class water activities, tranquil beaches, and a welcoming community – these are just a few reasons why people choose to make Key Largo their home. To ensure that you find the most ideal waterfront homes for sale in Key Largo, you’ll need the services of a trusted expert in the area.
No need to look further as Florida Keys luxury Realtor Angel DiGiorgio has what it takes to help you realize your dream!
Angel DiGiorgio is dedicated to making your home-buying process as stress-free as possible. Her approach is to provide bespoke services on a personal level and help clients realize their real estate goals. Whether you are looking for Key Largo luxury rentals, independent living communities, or a waterfront property to call home, Angel can assist you with every step of the process.
Get in touch with Angel DiGiorgio today at 305.509.0971 or send a message here to start.