Is anyone familiar with Pensacola, Milton, Gulf Breeze or Navarre? We have been checking out buying a second home in FL and started researching this area. These are the towns/cities the realtor recommended. Anyone live there? Anyone have any opinions about it they care to share? Looking to hear the good, the bad, the ugly!
Pensacola anyone???
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Mickey Fliers
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That is a great question. We are actually moving to that area in December as my DH will be stationed at NAS Whiting in Milton. We are targeting Pace for the great schools. I can't wait to hear what people think.
DVC~OKW~96
<font color=green>I'm not big on gold as a color.
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I lived there several years ago, for a mercifully brief time (Milton area). I can't imagine wanting to return to the area to live for any length of time.
However, as with everything that concept is based on personal perspective. What I found abhorrent, you may not even notice. And vice versa, eh?
Perhaps do a google search on crime statistics, local climates, local festivals (to get an idea of what the population in that area finds worthy of celebrating) and chapters of organizations (that is sometimes a real eye opener).
Good luck to you. I hope you find it to your liking!
However, as with everything that concept is based on personal perspective. What I found abhorrent, you may not even notice. And vice versa, eh?
Perhaps do a google search on crime statistics, local climates, local festivals (to get an idea of what the population in that area finds worthy of celebrating) and chapters of organizations (that is sometimes a real eye opener).
Good luck to you. I hope you find it to your liking!
I lived there several years ago, for a mercifully brief time (Milton area). I can't imagine wanting to return to the area to live for any length of time.
However, as with everything that concept is based on personal perspective. What I found abhorrent, you may not even notice. And vice versa, eh?
Perhaps do a google search on crime statistics, local climates, local festivals (to get an idea of what the population in that area finds worthy of celebrating) and chapters of organizations (that is sometimes a real eye opener).
Good luck to you. I hope you find it to your liking!
Great ideas! Anyone else want to give me some tips on those areas? Would love to hear more.
All that I can share is that the area is gorgeous. I've traveled that area since I was a child going on vacations with my family. Our son lived in Pensacola for awhie but that was a just to have a good time after he graduated high school.
phoenx79
Earning My Ears
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As a resident of Pensacola, I think the area is pretty good. I got stationed here (Navy) in 2004. I got out of the military in 2007, and stayed here for my job and my family.
The Milton area is growing alot because businesses can be put there because it is away from the "big city" of Pensacola, but close enough. Alot of the area there is rural farm type places. They have all the amenities you could need. The area is nice overall.
Pace is kind of like Milton, still a nice area and not too far from Pensacola (just over a bridge) or from Milton (a few miles down the road).
Pensacola is not your typical city. The "city" is really spread out. The downtown area is really small, but nice. Just like with all cities, there are good areas and bad areas to Pensacola. Most areas aren't bad, but there are some areas that are plain horrible. The crime rate here is typical with any small-mid size city.
The only real thing that can be looked at as a downside to living here is the weather. Every few years we get slammed by a hurricane and life gets a little messed up for a while. When hurricanes hit other places and destroy homes, it seems like the people who lost their homes end up here, but thats not always bad.
Hope this helps clarify a little bit for you.
The Milton area is growing alot because businesses can be put there because it is away from the "big city" of Pensacola, but close enough. Alot of the area there is rural farm type places. They have all the amenities you could need. The area is nice overall.
Pace is kind of like Milton, still a nice area and not too far from Pensacola (just over a bridge) or from Milton (a few miles down the road).
Pensacola is not your typical city. The "city" is really spread out. The downtown area is really small, but nice. Just like with all cities, there are good areas and bad areas to Pensacola. Most areas aren't bad, but there are some areas that are plain horrible. The crime rate here is typical with any small-mid size city.
The only real thing that can be looked at as a downside to living here is the weather. Every few years we get slammed by a hurricane and life gets a little messed up for a while. When hurricanes hit other places and destroy homes, it seems like the people who lost their homes end up here, but thats not always bad.
Hope this helps clarify a little bit for you.
chager
<font color=teal>In the end you will feel better a
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My best friends grandparents have lived in Pensacola for as long as I have known her. (Over 30 years) During that time they have only actually had serious damage from a hurricane once. (About 5 years ago) I have been down a couple times and thought it was a nice place. The beach isn't too far away from her grandparents house so we went there when I went down. The only issue I ever had were the ginormous bugs!!!!
worm761
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Is this just a vacation home? or a snowbird type home? I would suggest Navarre, Fort Walton Beach area for a second home. That area is nice and is halfway between Pensacola and Destin/ Panama City area. So a good location. If you are looking for a vacation home to rent out but stay in when you want to vacation...I would go with Pensacola Beach or Destin.
If you do this...make sure you have really good insurance. You need hurricane, flood, wind, and anything else you can think of. Hurricane Ivan set a tornado down on top of my house. we lost everything but it wasn't covered by the hurricane insurance because technically it was a tornado that did the damage.
If you do this...make sure you have really good insurance. You need hurricane, flood, wind, and anything else you can think of. Hurricane Ivan set a tornado down on top of my house. we lost everything but it wasn't covered by the hurricane insurance because technically it was a tornado that did the damage.
It would be a snowbird type home and we wouldn't be renting it out as a vacation home.
Sorry to hear about your loss. From your miles from DW you must still live in that area, right? Are insurance rates as expensive as I hear in various posts? Do you have all those types of insurance on your home now? How long does it take you to drive to DW?
gottaluvPluto
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I have lived off and on in Pensacola for 20 something years and I'm currently living here now (military). I hate living here and can't wait to leave! This town has no direction and no job opportunities. The only thing that this area offers is the beach, so if you want to live out here I would say Gulf Breeze and Navarre area. Stay away from Pensacola, Pace and Milton!
Sorry, I'm really sour on Pensacola and I'm counting the days to leave.
Sorry, I'm really sour on Pensacola and I'm counting the days to leave.
Feeln'Froggy
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I'm from Pensacola but I currently live in Milton.
If I had my choice for a second beachy home in the area I would be looking in the Perdido or Narvarre.
Perdido is closer to Alabama and it is kind of far out but I like that.
Gulf Breeze is nice but, I dont think I could live there, I HATE the three mile bridge and 98 is a death trap.
Milton/Pace is not beachy there are some bay areas. The ones that I can think of were pretty much devastated by Ivan.
Is there a reason for Pensacola? Have you thought about closer to Panama City?
If I had my choice for a second beachy home in the area I would be looking in the Perdido or Narvarre.
Perdido is closer to Alabama and it is kind of far out but I like that.
Gulf Breeze is nice but, I dont think I could live there, I HATE the three mile bridge and 98 is a death trap.
Milton/Pace is not beachy there are some bay areas. The ones that I can think of were pretty much devastated by Ivan.
Is there a reason for Pensacola? Have you thought about closer to Panama City?
worm761
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I am still in Pensacola. Phoenx79 is actually my boyfriend. He works for the Navy so we are here to stay. Our insurance is all handled thru the bank/mortgage. And he deals with all that so I honestly have no idea. We are 8 hours from Disney. If this is a snowbird house...go with Fort Walton Beach area. They are rated as one of the best snowbird communities in the area.
Miniefan
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I am also from Pensacola, I have lived here all my life. It is what it is to me, a mid-sized city, sure I like that it is small and driveably manageable but I also hate that we really don't have a lot of things to do, outside of the beach.
If this is not going to be a permanent residence and you are not concerned with schools I would also recommend Navarre. It is a small beach community situated between Destin and Pensacola Beach. If you are stuck on being in Pensacola, just know that there are several atmospheres, we have rural, city, coastal- directly on the beach-gulf or soundside or by the bay.
It is a nice place to live but not a lot of opportunity to spread your wings so to speak. If you would like to know anything else about this area please ask.
Kim
If this is not going to be a permanent residence and you are not concerned with schools I would also recommend Navarre. It is a small beach community situated between Destin and Pensacola Beach. If you are stuck on being in Pensacola, just know that there are several atmospheres, we have rural, city, coastal- directly on the beach-gulf or soundside or by the bay.
It is a nice place to live but not a lot of opportunity to spread your wings so to speak. If you would like to know anything else about this area please ask.
Kim
Hollywoodhaha
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I live in Navarre/Gulf Breeze and yes, 98 is a DEATH trap!
Pensacola is a pain in the butt, Destin has horrid traffic and avoid Milton/Pace!
Your best bet is Navarre, though.
Pensacola is a pain in the butt, Destin has horrid traffic and avoid Milton/Pace!
Your best bet is Navarre, though.
goin2disneyagain
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My brother moved from Navarre a year ago (due to a job situation) but still has a home there. He loves it.
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