I live in that area for 3 long years, Here are my thoughts, again only my thoughts.
Gulf Breeze is nice as well as Navarre, but this is in the flood area, and I mean flood, when the water is up at times you can not even get home. That's not even during a hurricane, just a tropical storm out in the gulf blowing around. If you have never been through a hurricane, be sure to know what to expect and have on hand and to leave when they tell you to go, and don't wait go.. really go.
Be prepared.
Pensacola Beach to Destin is beautiful, I would love to vacation there again some day,
but never to live.
Nothing to do but the beach, you can only go to the air museum so much. Bilioxi is about 2 hours away, the USS Alabama is right over the line. If you want shopping you have to drive all the way to Tallahassee to shop. They did finally get publix before we moved. I shopped on line alot just to get what I could normally get a a local mall.
Do not work or use Baptist health-care for anything, Scared Heart for employment or medical needs. Navy federal is another good employer.
The school system is far behind the rest of the world, checkout home school groups your kids will learn more.There are lots of nice families to meet within the home school groups.
There was no zoning of any kind so you will find a trailer court, and million dollar house, commerical property, and mimi mart all in the same neighborhood. not great for property value. Stick with apartment complex, or neighborhood near or around the base.
Pensacola is not the south...... I will not say any more but that.
It's like 1950 to 1960 is most areas, not saying good or bad either way, just stating my thoughts.
Pensacola Beach and the city of Pensacola are 2 different things.
Joey Pattys fish market is great, as well as the New Yorker Deli, best deli there.
When my DH told me we were being transfered again, I cried for joy and started packing. I did not even care where I just could not wait to go...
I-10 is the most boring drive in the world, and it is full of cops so go the speed limits.
It is a very slow pace and way of life, did I say sssllllloooooow.... you get the picture.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.