Tina Masters

Key West College enrollment outpaces Miami.


Key West college enrollment continues to increase after long decline



(PressMethod) - Per JOHN L. GUERRA of the Citizen newspaper Staff-As Florida Keys Community College President Jill Landesberg-Boyle and her aides drove in the college's vehicle from the Upper Keys to Key West Friday, they spoke with reporters via phone, touting both an increase in enrollment and in the number of students who are returning from last year, known as retention. 


Class starts today and so far the numbers are looking good for the college, Boyle said. 
"The state community colleges averaged a 6.9 percent increase in enrollment," Boyle said, "but we show a 9.1 percent increase.
Miami-Dade College [which FKCC considers its close competitor] registered an increase 3 percentage points below us." 


The Stock Island-based college, which receives state money based on the number of full-time equivalent students (FTE), has a higher FTE than last year, said Lydia Estenoz, the college's spokeswoman 



Key West Florida August, 29th, 2008, Tina Masters (Key West residential sales specialist and REALTOR for Coldwell Banker Schmitt) remarked, this is really encouraging news for both our residents and future residents.

When asked how this could affect Key West Real Estate Tina remarked, Education is one of the main concerns people have when relocating to an area. So the fact that we offer high quality schools definitely makes our area attractive.

If you combine this with the great prices we have on Real Estate, Key West looks really good to either full time or part time home owners.

About Tina Masters. Tina is the owner of a Key West real Estate website located at www.yourkeywestagent.com designed specifically to help people relocating to Key West and the lower Florida Keys. 



CONTACT INFORMATION
Tina Masters
Coldwell Banker Schmitt
Email Us
305-292-7440
http://www.yourkeywestagent.com

So what about Hurricanes, the rainy season and humidity?
We are a tropical climate, so our rainy season comes in the summer. Generally it will rain hard for a half hour then subside. It does get humid then. Although not as bad as you would think. Our water breezes really help cool us off.
Hurricanes.
Despite four devastating hurricanes in 2004, the number of Florida visitors rose 7% to an all-time high of 79.8 million last year and is on target to hit 80 million this year.
To think on:
If you live on the coast you stand the greatest chance of having one affect you. Some areas of Florida have gone fifty years plus without one but you never know.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is buy a home that was built after Andrew-August 92 that was built to stricter building codes. Have window protection and a backup generator and make sure your insurance is up to date. If they ask you to leave, do it!

Realize-If you live in an older home that was not built up to the stricter building codes (After Hurricane Andrew-August 1992) or you live in a mobile home you stand the best chance of having major structural damage.

Living on the beach in a mobile home is asking for it. Although, you may never have a problem, you are still definitely taking your chances. Barrier islands and open-water Ocean or Gulf front are the most prone to damage.
For current information about hurricanes go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
For current weather forecasts by cities go to http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/fl/fl.htmlLiving in a waterfront home typically means that you will pay a higher Insurance premium. The insurance is higher due to flood and wind concerns.
Part of this is also because the pricing on these homes is higher so there is more value to insure against.

Having said all this, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. It is really great to wake up and it’s sunny out.
We spend over half our lives indoors…so when you do go outside, it would be nice if it was warm

Florida Keys Weather

The Keys sub-tropical climate offers year-round sports and recreational opportunities. Winter, spring and fall are filled with lots of sunshine.
The hottest month is August with an average high of 89 F and an average low of 78 F. In January the average high temperature is 74 F and the average low is 65 F.
There has never been frost or freezing conditions in Key West.
Normal annual precipitation is 39 plus inches, with the largest monthly totals accumulating from July through September.

Subtropics marked by two distinct seasons
Weather is what brings a lot of people to Southern Florida - particularly during the dry, mild winter.
It's also what drives a lot of people away - particularly during the hot, rainy, sweaty, sticky summer.
Welcome to the subtropics, an area just outside the tropics, which lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The Keys Temperature Annual high average
Month Air
January 7 4
February 75
March 78
April 81
May 85
June 87
July 89
August 89
September 88
October 84
November 80
December 76

Water temperatures go from 69 in January to 87 in July and August.

Other Keys Weather Indicators
Average Wind Speed 10.9
Clear Days 104
Partly Cloudy Days 155
Cloudy Days 107
Avg. Relative Humidity 74.5. To see stats by the month, go to
http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/united-states/florida/key-west/

Living in Old Town Key West gives residents the option, to not own a car. Due to the parking situation and streets, Bicycles, mopeds or walking is the preferred way to move around town. If you do use a car, be aware that parking can be difficult in Old Town. There are however parking lots and garages just off Duval that can definitely help the situation.

The original Key West neighborhood in the west (although perceived as south) is called "Old Town" and comprises the Key West Historic District. It includes the major tourist destinations of the island including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor. It is where you find the classic bungalows and guest mansions.
Generally, the structures date from 1886 to 1912. The basic features that distinguish the local architecture include wood frame construction of one to two-and-a-half story structures set on foundation piers about three feet above the ground. Exterior characteristics of the buildings are peaked "metal" roofs, horizontal wood siding, gingerbread trim, pastel shades of paint, side-hinged louvered shutters, covered porches (or balconies, galleries, or verandas) along the fronts of the structures, and wood lattice screens covering the area elevated by the piers.
PS-There are several Old Town neighborhoods. Among them the Solares Hill area, The Meadows, Downtown Key West, Bayview Park, Casa Marina and Bahama Village. These neighborhoods are loaded with charm. Check out these beautiful streets: William, Frances, Fleming, Southard and Elizabeth. Explore little-know lanes like Bakers Lane, Penny Lane, Love Lane, and Nassau Lane.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia