Get Fit in Key West - No dorks Allowed

I often mention that the area near the intersection of Truman Avenue and White Street has a lot of gyms and yoga studios. Commercial spaces are less expensive in this area which is still relatively close to much of Old Town Key West. The gyms and yoga studios are within walking or biking distance so cars are not necessary. Other gyms are located further east in the suburbs of Key West. I decided to take some photos of the various spots where locals and visitors go to get fit, stay fit, avoid the sun, avoid the rain, avoid the Conch Train, or avoid going to work or wherever it is that people don't want to go.

Look at the pics and click the name of the establishment to get more info.

Old Town Fitness 1010 Truman Avenue

Bargain Books (and gym!) 1028 Truman Avenue Day memberships

Island Gym 1119 White Street Day memberships and more

Stay Fit Studio 804 White Street

Island House Gay Men's Resort (and gym) 1129 Fleming Street Day and short term memberships available

Casa Marina Resort (Fitness Center) 1500 Reynolds Street Locals can buy an annual membership to the Fitness Center that includes use of Spa and Beach facilities.

Paradise Health and Fitness 1706 North Roosevelt Blvd.

Body Zone South 2740 North Roosevelt Blvd.

We Be Fit Personal Training Center 1277 1st Street Extensive personal training

The Pilates Studio (New) 1209 Truman Avenue

Shakti Yoga 1011 Truman Avenue

Coffee Mill 916 Pohalski Lane

Bikram Yoga 927 White Street

Yoga on the Beach

In addition to the gyms and yoga studios shown, Key West has lots of activities to get fit and stay fit including tennis, bicycling, running (lots of marathons, baby), and plenty of water sports.

If you are looking to buy a house, we have lots of properties available as well. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

Just Listed -1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed this cute two bedroom house in the east Casa Marina Area of Key West for the asking price of only $425,000. At a price this low, don't expect this little bargain to be around for very long. The listing broker describes the house this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida.

1517 Washington Street is just 990 sq ft and sits on a large lot (4698 sq ft - 50.25' [width] x 93.5' [depth]). That leaves plenty of room for expansion of the house or the addition of a pool. This is one of the last remaining undone houses in the area. By that I mean most of the other properties have been renovated to some extent or rebuilt . And since many have been rebuilt that leaves "upside" protection for the potential buyer that may want to tear down the existing structure and build all new.

Many of the homes in this area have the familiar Casa Marina privacy fences. While the fences vary from house to house, most of these fences comply with the six foot height limit. Some have adorable gated entrances while others are more simple. Many of the front yards are densely landscaped while others are less so. These fences provide a privacy from the street and that allows the owners freedom to keep their windows opened to view the front and rear yards without concern about prying eyes.

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database and to view listing photos of the house. At the asking price of $425,000 don't wait too long. If you snooze on this house, you will lose it. This is a buying opportunity for someone that is ready to act now.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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Big Bad George

I'm not going after the former President!

Last week I urged my readers to quit their jobs, move to Key West, and become an "I used to be" by purchasing a great little property at 811 Fleming Street (CLICK HERE). That property went under contract on Wednesday, so you are outta luck on that one.

But, fear not, there is another opportunity awaiting some sharpie with an athletic background, or a resauranteur, or maybe just someone with a good business acumen. I'm talking about the new listing at 19269 Bad George Road on Sugarloaf Key. CLICK HERE. This is a Preferred Properties listing.

The listing agent describes this property thus: "Great opportunity to have your own Restaurant, Sports, and Leisure Club with large pool and hot tub on a private 2 acre lot complete with 3 clay court tennis courts. 150 seat Restaurant and Bar for SRX license capability. Also, two residential apartments with a renewable transient license. Many improvements have been made including 2-zone A/C in restaurant. This property is only 15 miles away from Key West!"

The restaurant includes both inside and outside dining and a separate sports bar area and poolside service. Many improvements have been made including two zone air conditioner in the restaurant and the enlargement of the kitchen with a $25,000 hood.

Many people that work in Key West live in the Sugarloaf Key area. It is 15 miles from Key West. Sugarloaf is also the location of many second homes for people that live up north in America. Not everyone wants to get in the car and drive to Key West every morning to go to the gym or play tennis. And not everyone that lives up there has a pool, although most live on canals or have water views. It looks to me like there is a captive audience of locals in the Sugarloaf area that would use a facility like this.

If you are thinking of relocating to the Keys and want to have something to do, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this property. To see this property please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642.

1211Catherine Street Key West Bank Owned Home

Behind the once carefully manicured ficus hedge at 1211 Catherine Street sits a hidden 1930's vintage home with great potential. The 3 bedroom 2 bath home totals 1463 sq ft. The living room has really interesting architectural features including original hardwood floors and elegant windows. The master bed and bath are quite large and were redone by the previous owner. Very nicely done. There is a door leading from the master bath to one of the gardens.

The two other bedrooms share the second bath. One of the bedrooms has French doors that open onto the pool. Another set of French doors open onto the pool area from the kitchen. There's a separate laundry area and outdoor shower as well.

There are good sized side yards on both sides of the house. (The lot is 500 sq ft.) The property to the west is Island Gym. There is a huge ficus hedge that screens that property from view. The property next door to the east are apartments. Across the street on the corner is a real estate office. Then there are three successive houses for sale: 1212 Catherine St., 1214 Catherine, and 1216 Catherine.

This property is Bank Owned and it is priced at $589,000 or $402 per sq ft. I like the house. It has some issues (I think the roof needs replaced--at least repaired--as there is evidence of minor leaking in one bath.) But the listing agent has not let this property deteriorate. Hooray for responsible listing! CLICK HERE for more info on 1211 Catherine St.

I think somebody can pick this house up for around $535,000 to $550,000. If you want to look at this house please call me, Gary Thomas, at 305-766-2642. I am not the listing agent.

July 9, 2008 Please read the Comments Section Below for more discussion of issues the listing agent feels I failed to disclose when I wrote this item.

From Bulging Waistlines to Bulging Muscles

Island Gym

I hurt my left arm something fierce last year and haven't been able to do much with it since. There is a new gym at 1119 White Street (former home of The Bagelry where you could watch your waistline grow). It is simply called Island Gym.

So I'm it's newest member. It's as clean as a whistle, but then it's new. But I got a feeling it will always be that way. There is lots of Pride of Ownership going on there.

The rates are okay (for Key West). They have daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual rates. And they are offering 10% off for memberships in January. The only bad thing I can say about the place is that it is small and has lots and lots of equipment--most of which is Hammersmith. Top of the line.

And it is located in my neighborhood--Casa Marina. I included a pic of the Fausto's Food Palace on White Street for those who know its location. The gym is one block to the south. I took these pics around 7:00 AM today. Key West is so beautiful at that time of day. Many people are snug in their beds, but others are out jogging or walking their dog. While I was on the treadmill I watched probably 100 people stop their cars and go into the Cuban bakery across the street from the gym for coffee con leche.

By the by, I ran into a familiar face at my open house today: John Isaksen of Isaksen Insurance. He saw our ad in the Key West Citizen and stopped by to see me. I did not recognized him because he had lost 25 pounds. He, on the other hand, knew who I was because of the ad. And he commented on the fact that I had gained weight. Thanks for noticing, John.
Glad to hear you remind me of my accomplishment. I had about 50 visitors at the open house--two of which seemed genuinely interested. Not a bad day.