Anyone live in Pensacola, FL?

[Mercy]

Just wondering if it was a nice place to live, good schools, etc. How expensive is housing?

 

[perdidobay]

There are several dis'ers that live in P'cola...I hope they help you out. I have a second home on Perdido Key, which is nearby...but I don't know about schools, etc.
I can tell you that it is a big military area ( Navy base, and Elgin AF) and a big tourist area for families. It is a mainly conservative town, with a fairly average cost of living.. It has a sub tropical climate, with avg highs of 53 degrees in Jan, and a July avg high of 81 degrees.
Economy is highly dependant on tourist dollars and armed forces spending.
Oh, and it has the USA's nicest beaches!
I'd move there this second if I could!

 

[goudaman40]

I am currently living in Pensacola and love it! The best part is, no state income tax and also, no grocery sales tax.

As far as school's go, you will get mixed reports. We currently don't have any children, but live on the west side of town. The school's here are good and there are alot of options, one is Technical and the other is a normal high school.

Some of our neighbors have their children go to a private school and the others go to the public schools. The private school has more projects than normal public schools, but that is expected.

Jobs are a little bit harder if you aren't military or have a degree. Besides this place being a military town, there is also a University here . . . The University of West Florida and also Pensacola Junior College. This is a college town and military town, so the cost of living is lower and so are the jobs.

If you have more questions, send me a PM and I will fill you in

 

[disneyfan5]

Hello, I live in Pace-Milton area, which is 25 min. on the outskirts of Pensacola, I lived in Pensacola for 7 years also. I also go to Pcola atleast 2 or 3 times a week for various reasons, Malls, eating at certain resturants and various reasons. It is beautiful, beaches are always a plus. The schools are mostly rated B and B- in Pcola, but the schools here in Pace, Milton, I know of 3 that are rated A+ schools, my childrens elemt. is one of them, Great school. There are private schools in Pcola also if interested. The winter is not snow by far, but can get cold. The summer sure gets hot, exspecially if your not use to heat. Like today is gorgoues. Temp is 68 and is beautiful and feels wonderful. I hope I helped any ques. I will answer for you. Lori

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Does anyone know of the college there - Pensecola Christian College. They have sent my son some info and the prices look great although the rules are a little stressful, almost like 4 more years of private school dress code. What is there reputation in the town etc.

 

[stevenpensacola]

http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com/index.htm
http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com/info.htm

This is an un-official site created to let potential students know what they may be in for if they attend here.


My kids go to the Pensacola Christian Academy (K4-12th grade private school) which is "owned" by the same organization as the college. The facilities are first rate...some of the grounds of the college look like you're at disney world, but IMO they do tend to go overboard on legalistic rules.

Some people love the atmosphere, other's can't wait to get out.
I also do not believe the college is accredited.

 

[maleficent1959]

There are many things I like about Pensacola, particularly the natural beauty, the beach and the cost of living.

Schools...sigh... I just don't think they are very good and we don't plan to put our children in the public schools. Our funding is very low compared to the rest of the state and our ranking is low compared to many districts in the state. Most of the schools do okay on the state assessment test (FCAT) but the pressure to perform on these tests has Escambia County talking about cutting social studies, civics and other subjects that aren't tested. Every once in a while you hear that they may have to cut bus service, shorten the teaching day, cut gym and recess for the little kids... All kinds of ways to try and save money that I think hurt our students and our schools.

I agree with Goudaman that jobs can be harder to come by, but the two-county area has a lot of opportunity and it seems to be growing more and more each year. One problem is underemployment and lower wages than in many other cities, but it is offset by lower property taxes (my mom's eyes about bugged out when I told her what we pay), fantastic prices on real estate, no state tax and other tangible economic benefits.

And keep in mind that you are close to some great weekend getaways -- New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando...

 

[JulieWent]

Just a quick note on Pensacola Christian College: I went to Pensacola Christian School from 3rd - 7th grade and got a pretty decent foundation educationally speaking.

From a religious perspective, it is extremely Bob Jones oriented. I will add no judgments about this. If you are comfortable with fundamentalist interpretations of religious concepts, then PCC is definitely worth looking into. If you are not, then it is not.

Julie

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Sorry, this is OT, but DS is doing a DVD 8th grade English course through Abeka (Pensacola Christian College)....

Seeing children enrolled in that school - I am wondering if we may be seeing your children on our TV set every day!

Small world!!