Jerry, the weather here this time of year is incredible. Temperatures in the 70s to low 80s, humidity fairly low, about 40 percent, never seems to rain in the Keys during the winter months, lots of neat things to do and see.

As for entertainers, most are seasonal have guitar will travel guys, some are fairly good, but most are not diversified. The pay scale here has finally rose to what it is in the mid Atlantic region, about $150 for three hours. The nursing home jobs are really low, though, average $35 to 50 an hour, which, ironically, is the same scale at the nite clubs and restaurants.

During the height of tourist season, November through March, tips can be pretty good, averaging $75 to $100 a night, but when the older tourists leave, also known as snowbirds, those tips end.

Summer in the Keys is about the same as summer in Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. However, it's not nearly as hot or humid here as it is in Baltimore, Philly or Virginia Beach. And, there's always a good breeze coming off the ocean. North of the keys, the weather is different - very hot and humid during mid summer.

The cost of housing here is only a bit higher than anywhere else in the nation. The most expensive commodity is water and electricity in the keys. Taxes are relatively low, and some taxes do not exist here.

Most everyone I've met has been very friendly, but that's typical in the deep south. The only reason I didn't move here 35 years ago was my wife did not want to be that far away from our children.

Good luck,

Gary