[hamjeepr]

Honestly, the schools in AL are not the best. The drive is also kind of long and requires crossing a bridge over Perdido which can be treacherous in heavy fog or severe weather. There are savings on insurance and taxes on a house in AL but last I had heard it was 3% income tax if you worked out of state.

You will want to avoid being too close to the coastal areas. Insurance went way up and is just starting to come down. If they get hit with a hurricane this year, it will launch. There are nice newer homes on the west side that will get you near Mobile Hwy and a direct shot in to Baptist. Also, if you go north of town, its basically a straight shot down 29 or I-110, and the taxes and insurance are lower. Some will disagree, but I owned a Henry Co home on the west side for 4 years and loved it. They are reasonable and the neighborhoods are nicely laid out. You should be able to get into ~1300 sq ft for around 140K. Good luck on your move. I hear Baptist is one of the best hospitals to work for.

[Valnf]

Close to Interstate 10, great schools, new malls and very family oriented but 40 minute drive to Pensacola.

[soundbreeze]

This is so interesting. I'm responding from my folks home in Spanish Fort/Daphne, AL (both retired phyicians who had private practice, as well as worked out of Baptist, Sacred Heart & West Florida) I personally live in Gulf Breeze, but sleep/work in Ft. Walton Beach during the week.

Baptist regularly makes Fortune Magazine's "Best Places to Work" and is a Malcolm Baldridge TQM Award winner.

Having been making the drive from Pensacola to Daphne, oh, about 4-5 times a month. The drive isn't bad @ night or on the weekends, but I've tried coming out here during the 4-5PM weekday time, and found it to be a pain at times. Spanish Fort is hella growing right now. All sorts of new buildings, infrastructure, and people moving into the area. Apparently, alot of exec's here in Timbercreek are a split household (one works in Pensacola, the other works in Mobile) so Spanish Fort is a logical choice. My sisters kids go to a local christian school, and they are being WELL trained!

We grew up in Gulf Breeze, my folks commuted to Pensacola. You'll find that alot of healthcare workers from the big three hospitals do this. Why? Among so many things, low crime, well kept and maintained infrastructure, and a "bedroom community" style, Santa Rosa schools absolutely ROCK (although, coming from Pensacola Christian, me and my siblings sliced and diced through their curriculum through high school) That was in the 90's though. SR county consistently ranks high, and their teachers seem to be well paid. It's not as hip/artsy as Daphne, and I DO like the restaurants here in Daphne alot more than in Santa Rosa.. Escambia and Okaloosa make up for it.

I'm house hunting too, and found a 4 bdroom Adams home on 399 (just off of Hwy98 in Navarre, which is about 45 mins from Pensacola for $188,00). Built and ready to go. My timeline is 10 mos from now, so I'm taking things easy.

Good luck, and welcome to the Gulf Coast if you decide to rock out for Baptist!

[Valnf]

Originally Posted by soundbreeze

This is so interesting. I'm responding from my folks home in Spanish Fort/Daphne, AL (both retired phyicians who had private practice, as well as worked out of Baptist, Sacred Heart & West Florida) I personally live in Gulf Breeze, but sleep/work in Ft. Walton Beach during the week.

Baptist regularly makes Fortune Magazine's "Best Places to Work" and is a Malcolm Baldridge TQM Award winner.

Having been making the drive from Pensacola to Daphne, oh, about 4-5 times a month. The drive isn't bad @ night or on the weekends, but I've tried coming out here during the 4-5PM weekday time, and found it to be a pain at times. Spanish Fort is hella growing right now. All sorts of new buildings, infrastructure, and people moving into the area. Apparently, alot of exec's here in Timbercreek are a split household (one works in Pensacola, the other works in Mobile) so Spanish Fort is a logical choice. My sisters kids go to a local christian school, and they are being WELL trained!

We grew up in Gulf Breeze, my folks commuted to Pensacola. You'll find that alot of healthcare workers from the big three hospitals do this. Why? Among so many things, low crime, well kept and maintained infrastructure, and a "bedroom community" style, Santa Rosa schools absolutely ROCK (although, coming from Pensacola Christian, me and my siblings sliced and diced through their curriculum through high school) That was in the 90's though. SR county consistently ranks high, and their teachers seem to be well paid. It's not as hip/artsy as Daphne, and I DO like the restaurants here in Daphne alot more than in Santa Rosa.. Escambia and Okaloosa make up for it.

I'm house hunting too, and found a 4 bdroom Adams home on 399 (just off of Hwy98 in Navarre, which is about 45 mins from Pensacola for $188,00). Built and ready to go. My timeline is 10 mos from now, so I'm taking things easy.

Good luck, and welcome to the Gulf Coast if you decide to rock out for Baptist!

Where do your recommend living with Children. I think it is newer in Baldwin county, Alabama. Why are your parents living there instead of Florida. I did hear that Santa Rosa County has great schools but the area is not as nice as Spanish Fort. (Do you agree?) At least maybe I have not found it. I liked Gulf Breeze but it was too far to travel to Mobile every day for my husband's job. Is there any other communities you can recommend in Florida or do you think Spanish Fort is where it is at.

[soundbreeze]

Originally Posted by Valnf

Where do your recommend living with Children. I think it is newer in Baldwin county, Alabama. Why are your parents living there instead of Florida. I did hear that Santa Rosa County has great schools but the area is not as nice as Spanish Fort. (Do you agree?) At least maybe I have not found it. I liked Gulf Breeze but it was too far to travel to Mobile every day for my husband's job. Is there any other communities you can recommend in Florida or do you think Spanish Fort is where it is at.

'allo!

Yes, after the hurricanes, Baldwin County (at least in Timbercreek) recovered almost immediately. All underground power and it's own sewer system. Not sure about the other surrounding areas, but everything there seems "new". Newly paved everything. Baldwin as a sense of "order" about it. Very neat, clean and tidy area.

You are absolutely right as far as my experience for the past couple of years comparing Baldwin County w. Santa Rosa County. Baldwin County just seems to be "planned out" alot better. It actually reminds me alot of Alpharetta, GA, LOL! (I used to live there, as well as Roswell & Norcross). Office parks are recessed back from the main throroughfares. Landscaping going on all over the place, etc. Santa Rosa has alot more fast 'n loose sprawl, w. an almost schizophrenic way of how the area looks.. half trailer park, half well manicured gated community.

If you're hubby is working in Mobile, then Spanish Fort is WHERE IT'S AT.

My folks live here, because it was sooo very expensive to find a home they were willing to pay for after the hurricane's. They were able to build a home to their spec, and get "high 'n dry" for $500k. At the time the decision was made, there were homes half the size of their current one in Whispers (a subdivision in Cordova Park) going for a million plus. Waaay to rich for their blood. LOL! We have additional family here (grandkids) so that sort of sealed the deal. They drive to Pensacola quite often.

Peace!

[beachmom2007]

I am a white female who grew up in NE Pensacola. I am married with 3 children, both my husband and I have college degrees. We both grew up there and attended the public schools. If you are going to be working at Baptist hospital in Pensacola, why not just live there? Its a great town. I loved living there and we would love to move back. (only moved due to current job assignment) I have been looking online at houses and there are plenty to choose from so you wouldn't have to commute. Penascola is a great place to live and raise children.

[mattvj5]

I live in Santa Rosa (Pace) and when we first moved down here I stayed in Gulf Breeze (right next to Orange Beach) and commuted to work right outside Pensacola (Milton). Those were some long drives, and with gas prices I would not want to do it again.

I can't speak about property tax's in Orange Beach, but homeowners in Santa Rosa is comparable to Orange Beach, if not less. I do agree that Alabama recovered faster then this area...my family over there love to brag about it all of the time...

I am suprised no one is mentioning gas prices as being a factor to live closer. If you live in Santa Rosa it will take you about 15 minutes to get to work.