Pensacola, Florida (Miami, Orlando, Orchid: real estate, insurance, military)

[tobian]

Hey does anyone have input on pensacola fl? Would love to hear how the world views this sleepy time town with such a future.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I am not that familiar with Pensacola, only been there a couple times.
I know that they got hit hard by Hurricane Dennis in 2005, as did much of this area on the northwest side. I do think the northwest has a busy future, but it is indeed pretty sleepy right now.

[sunrico90]

The Northwest area is getting bigger and better every day. Pensacola is one of the cities tha is leading the area. We got hit by hurricanes, but most areas are back in service and the the bridge by I10 is under new construction.

Depending on your job needs Pcola can be the town for you. New housing is all over the area and the prices are realistic, maybe 1/2 of central and south Florida cost. You can find homes under $200K new in residential areas.

Visit the city site and later today I'll get more info on the areas:

http://www.ci.pensacola.fl.us/live/index.asp
http://www.pensacola.com/

[manniecole]

I unfourtantly live in Orange Beach, AL forty minutes west of Pensacola. I have to go there for the mall, airport, ect. It is terrible! It is the same as Alabama... rednecks, hillibllies and low income! It is nothing like the 'Florida' atmosphere. It is junky, old and ugly. Whoever said it was destroyed by Dennis is jumping ahead. Ivan in 04 ruined it along with AL. You would never know the difference. Trailors and hellholes. Typical Florida wether though. Miserable heat 10 months out of the year. You will sweat if you even walk to your mailbox. I can barely get my dogs to go outside. Even they hate it. If you must live in the terrible state of Florida, go further south.

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by manniecole

I unfourtantly live in Orange Beach, AL forty minutes west of Pensacola. I have to go there for the mall, airport, ect. It is terrible! It is the same as Alabama... rednecks, hillibllies and low income! It is nothing like the 'Florida' atmosphere. It is junky, old and ugly. Whoever said it was destroyed by Dennis is jumping ahead. Ivan in 04 ruined it along with AL. You would never know the difference. Trailors and hellholes. Typical Florida wether though. Miserable heat 10 months out of the year. You will sweat if you even walk to your mailbox. I can barely get my dogs to go outside. Even they hate it. If you must live in the terrible state of Florida, go further south.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion, of course, but you are trashing Pensacola pretty hard. Whatever it's drawbacks, I will take Pensacola/Northwest Florida over the rest of the state, anytime. Of course, I'm not into larger cities, and city ways, either, (nothing against y'all down in central or south Florida. Everybody just likes different things and different lifestyles). "Florida atmosphere"? What, precisely, is that? If you mean that it's not like the rest of Florida, well, that's correct, but it's not supposed to be. There's alot of miles between us and say, Miami, for instance. Lower income? True enough, but the cost of living isn't as high as central or south Florida, either. Hot weather? True once more, but at least we do get some cooler stuff, in the winter. Not much, granted, but a heck of alot more than they do elsewhere in Florida. And, if you are in Orange Beach, only a few miles from Pensacola, then y'all don't have any cooler weather, as you, yourself, testified. Rednecks, yes, we have them, but we also have a good university, and a nice junior college. We have arts and music. We have festivals, museums, etc. No, it's not like south Florida, or wherever it is that you are either from, or would like to be, but again, I will reiterate, it's not supposed to be. I'm sorry that you hate it that bad around here, in both NW Florida, and apparently, Alabama. But, perhaps, as long as you are "stuck" in this area, it would be helpful, and certainly more healthy, to concentate on the positves, (however few they may be, in your opinion), rather than the negatives.

[sunrico90]

Mannniecole,

Your post is very interesting, looks like you don't like either Orange Beach or Pcola. How long have you live in Orange Beach? Both areas are visitied by tourist and they love the area.

I have live in Navarre since 1988 and I do truely enjoy the area, is 30 minute drive from Pcola, and I do visit 3 or 4 times a month for work related issues or shopping.

You are correct the area got hit by hurricanes but has rebound and is better and is growing like crazy. Rednecks and hillbilies live outside the city and we don't feel that is a problem. Again my view. Is just like any other area in Florida that has a diversified community. The weather and humidity is not that bad, but it might be for you. Traffic is heavy, but tell me of a place that is not.

Pcola is an old towm with lots of historical value, the economy is driven by Pensacola Naval Station machine and other aerospace companies. Is ever evolving and will continue to develop as a larger metro area.

I rather stay here than deal with Central & South Florida, if you get a chance go to Orlando and you will see what heavy traffic is all about.

Our housing is affortable, schools are better, jobs are available, less crowded and overall is a better living conditions.

Again, Thank you for your post and if you don't enjoy your area, take your own advise and move south.

Almost forgot, do you like anyhting in Orange beach and Pcola? If you do take time and post it..

[FloridaAnn]

Lived in Pensacola for 6 years. It is still sleepy town, very southern. There has been some growth, but pay is lower than many other areas. Pensacola itself is small city, with the county growing faster than city. More money moving outside city when I left. Ivan did a real job on the area, don't know what insurance rates are now, but got to be really high. If you are retired great area, terriffic food, but if you need good income, may be better areas. Check it out carefully. If you are retired service, the base and the service areas for military are terrific. I still have realtor sources there and they say real estate sales have dropped off the chart.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by FloridaAnn

Lived in Pensacola for 6 years. It is still sleepy town, very southern. There has been some growth, but pay is lower than many other areas. Pensacola itself is small city, with the county growing faster than city. More money moving outside city when I left. Ivan did a real job on the area, don't know what insurance rates are now, but got to be really high. If you are retired great area, terriffic food, but if you need good income, may be better areas. Check it out carefully. If you are retired service, the base and the service areas for military are terrific. I still have realtor sources there and they say real estate sales have dropped off the chart.

Today the I10 bridge was open and development and tourism continue to fuel the area. Jobs are available in the aerospace field (well paid over $45K per year). Pcola is also fueled by the Naval station.

Pensacola Beach is back in the map and life/people has moved forward and are in a proactive way growing the city. Yes, this is a small town that should be consider as a choice place for retirement and military members..

[katiek20]

I was thinking about moving to Pennsecola although i have only been there during the Winter months .I am very curious about the summer weather..... Is it always hot and humid in the Pennsecola area?? I mean what is a typical summer..?? are you guys miserable??

Originally Posted by sunrico90

The Northwest area is getting bigger and better every day. Pensacola is one of the cities tha is leading the area. We got hit by hurricanes, but most areas are back in service and the the bridge by I10 is under new construction.

Depending on your job needs Pcola can be the town for you. New housing is all over the area and the prices are realistic, maybe 1/2 of central and south Florida cost. You can find homes under $200K new in residential areas.

Visit the city site and later today I'll get more info on the areas:

http://www.ci.pensacola.fl.us/live/index.asp
http://www.pensacola.com/

[jetsjoe]

Pensacola can get very, very, very hot and uncomfortable. And the humidity... jeez. It is hard to even walk in and out of places during June, July, August & September without sweating.