[sunrico90]

I had a group of members asked about the area and a few relocated. Can you talk about your transition to our area? Might help others that are also thinking about moving here....

Thank you.

[EMERALDGIRL]

NW Florida is the beat place to live in my opinion. The beaches are breathtaking, the cost of living is affordable, job market is getting stronger, crime rate is low......would you like me continue! Well, I just moved here 2 months ago and while moving can take it's toll trying to get adjusted, believe me I had my share of homesickness, I realized what a great opportunity living here was. I think that it has been one of the best decisions I have made. I think some people have a misconception about the area but until you actually come here, you might think much differently. I know that there is no "perfect" place but the quality of life here seems pretty close in my opinion. It all just depends on what lifestyle you are looking for though, what might be ideal for me may not be for others. This is just my perspective and even though I have only lived here for 2 months.........I have found a great place to contribute towards in making it that much more better.

[sunshine girl]

We will be touring the Pensacola area in mid April for possible relocation. We lived in Sarasota for 4 years, and loved it there but left due to high cost of housing and insurance in 06. Miss FL and want to come back, and am highly interested in no. FL. Wonder if the cost of homeowners is any different (as in less) in NWFL. Looking for laid back but not dead at 9pm either. Am RN with 10 years to retirement, hubby retired. Schools of importance only as tied to property values. Would consider a commute to hospital in pensacola if another nearby community would suit us better. Like to bicycle, hike, enjoy the sunsets, and garden. Does this all sound resonable for the area? Thanks

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

We will be touring the Pensacola area in mid April for possible relocation. We lived in Sarasota for 4 years, and loved it there but left due to high cost of housing and insurance in 06. Miss FL and want to come back, and am highly interested in no. FL. Wonder if the cost of homeowners is any different (as in less) in NWFL. Looking for laid back but not dead at 9pm either. Am RN with 10 years to retirement, hubby retired. Schools of importance only as tied to property values. Would consider a commute to hospital in pensacola if another nearby community would suit us better. Like to bicycle, hike, enjoy the sunsets, and garden. Does this all sound resonable for the area? Thanks

Sound like Gulf Breeze.....

[sunrico90]

The following site provide lots of info for the region. Hope this helps for those doing research about the area...

Haas Center for Business Research & Economic Development

[sunshine girl]

sunrico - Thanks for the website. Hubby met a woman today while getting a haircut from Pensacola. Came back north to tend to sick brother, but plans to go back. She gave us some great tips for the area too.

And thank you for being such a positive influence and cheerleader for the NW coast! It's inspiring to those of us looking your way

[BlueWillowPlate]

Hey y'all
Please keep your eye on this thread.
I am cooking dinner right now and can not post at length.
I will be back tomorrow with my morning coffee.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Okay, I am back. Sunrico, maybe you need to delete my silly reply above?

We moved to Port St Joe in October '05. PSJ is in Gulf County, between Bay and Franklin counties (where that little cape is in the lower-right region of Sunrico's map.)
My husband took a job with Joe Company.
(Also known as St Joe Company.) Joe Company owns 800,000 acres of Florida land, most of it in the northwest. We did not know it at the time but late October was pretty much when the housing bubble began losing air. At the time we moved in, Joe was into real estate development, had been building some beautiful residential communities, and they still have plans (such as the new Panama City Airport in Bay County), but the publicly traded company has backed off quite a bit.
Gulf County is a funky mix of pristine beaches and funky 1950s-70s architecture. There is little in the way of shopping. There is no mall. There is no movie theater, no bowling alley, and one Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
You'll find everything that is good (and not so good) about small town living here.
In some ways a newcomer feels as if he's stepped back in time.
OTOH, if you can afford it, there are some beautiful places to live there, such as WindMark Beach or Jubilation.
Here is a description and some photos from another NW Florida thread.
Port St Joe is quiet but once you meet some folks the nightlife (including live music by the beach bonfire) can be wonderful. Cultural activities do exist and are supported. Schools do their best with limited resources, and are supported. Sure Friday Night Lights during football and soccer season is popular, but kids have gone from the local high school to top colleges, including Princeton.
It is a fine community, but we could not stay. We had to leave after the first round of lay-offs in August of '06.
The job market in Gulf County is not so good at present.
If you are not retired, and need to make a living, you are going to have to find your niche and show initiative and determination to make a go of it there.

[EMERALDGIRL]

Does anyone have any info on the beach community called Watercolor? I have family that are thinking of purchasing a vacation condo in that community. From what I have seen on their website it is really pretty. Thanks in advance!

[2bohemians]

Emerald Girl ~ We can help you regarding Watercolor ~ we know it very well. We live down the road from Watercolor, have worked at the restaurant Fish Out of Water in Watercolor and we ride our bikes in Watercolor all the time. What kinds of things would you like to know?