[Sunshine_Girl]

I'm hoping for some good solid thoughts and guidance-- I am a single mom, three kids (17, 15 and 6) -- I have wanted to move to Florida since my first visit--fear as a single person has kept me from it. I'm ready to make it happen, but with uprooting my children, I want to make sure we land in a place that will meet the needs of us all. I love Panama City and have a friend who lives there. He can't say enough about it, and from what I know he is right. But everybody has different preferences. My main goal is to make sure that the area we live is close enough to main venues that we can plan for weekend adventures of sites unseen. Also, with my teenage girls approaching their own times of independence, I want to make sure there are plenty of "fun" things for them to do as well as future education/employment opportunities. I'm pretty content with the ability to watch the sun go down with my toes in the sand. I'm from WA and may need a starbucks nearby however! I'm a christian girl and love going to contemporary christian music concerts (we have a lot of them available here in Seattle) and that would be one thing I'm wondering about that area-- are these events within reach?
Any other suggestion you can offer would be so appreciated!

[Alphaman]

What do your kids think? I`m not one who would like to uproot my children because I want to move my mom would just up and move for no reason and I hated it, there are things to consider. Seattle is a big city and panama city might not compare to what you are used to.

[Sunshine_Girl]

Thanks for your thoughts-- my kids are mixed about it... I actually moved to Seattle area a couple of years ago from our home town, which was just about an hour away, the other side of the puget sound. One of my daughters loves it on this side of the water, the other wants to go back to our hometown. I have mixed emotions, but mostly just want the kids to be happy. The both like Florida, but would probably prefer to stay in this area for friends area. I'm just plain out tired of the rain and feel that I could offer a higher quality of life-- one that we could enjoy the outdoors, spend time taking walks, playing on the beach, weekend outings and all-- Seattle definitely has it's bonuses, but there is so much that is hard to enjoy with such limited weather cooperation.

[BlueWillowPlate]

We uprooted our 16 year old to move to Port St Joe, which is 45 minutes east of Panama City. He had a tough time at first: there was major culture shock--but made friends, adjusted, and now is in college in Tallahassee and could not be happier. He just told me yesterday that he plans to visit Port St Joe this week.

I don't think you would have any trouble finding churches and other Christian organizations/activities in Panama City. There is a Starbucks, too.

FWIW: Housing is readily available, but employment is not always easy to come by. We ended up moving over to the east side and are now living in Fernandina Beach, close to Jacksonville. We like being near a bigger city and an international airport. (As you may have heard, Panama City will be breaking ground on their own new airport.)

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Sunshine_Girl

Thanks for your thoughts-- my kids are mixed about it... I actually moved to Seattle area a couple of years ago from our home town, which was just about an hour away, the other side of the puget sound. One of my daughters loves it on this side of the water, the other wants to go back to our hometown. I have mixed emotions, but mostly just want the kids to be happy. The both like Florida, but would probably prefer to stay in this area for friends area. I'm just plain out tired of the rain and feel that I could offer a higher quality of life-- one that we could enjoy the outdoors, spend time taking walks, playing on the beach, weekend outings and all-- Seattle definitely has it's bonuses, but there is so much that is hard to enjoy with such limited weather cooperation.

Well panama city is nice and the beaches in the emerald coast are hard to beat. Good luck in what ever you decide.

[caromc]

Hi there-
We are leaving PC area soon, however we moved here from Santa Barbara Co and had a huge adjustment, culture shock. We are an interracial couple that moved into Lynn Haven (just north of PC) and were none too welcomed. Local kids wouldn't play with ours. Now the good things...No one really bothered us, the schools were the best in the co and even though the kids didn't have friends in the neighborhood, they could go out and play in our yard. I believe things are starting to change a little bit though. Lynn Haven is a small town (safe), not that much by way of entertainment. I hope you enjoy the area.

[gumbyfly]

Lynn Haven - more typical 'south Alabama' living. Lots of retirees and rural residents. Nice lake community...

Panama City - small community feel in a mid-size town. Air Force base nearby. Has its 'bad side of the tracks' areas (Hwy 98 has a section or two that are lined with strip clubs and liquor stores). Has most of the shopping venues in the area, and gets flooded with snowbirds in the winter.

Panama City Beach - tourist area that seems to close down between October and March. Where most of Alabama and Georgia comes to drink and get stupid. It also seems to be a place where teenage kids go to do things their parents would beat them for. Has LOTS to do for all ages. Is a little more expensive than the other areas (rent, groceries, and dining out).

When I moved here in January, I took a chance and moved into an apartment in Panama City Beach that was a couple of blocks from the beach. It was a great decision. I am close to all the fun stuff that I do in my free time, but not so close to the beach that I am in the middle of all the spring break mess. Traffic to and from work is smooth and easy, and there is even a mall close by.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by caromc

Hi there-
We are leaving PC area soon, however we moved here from Santa Barbara Co and had a huge adjustment, culture shock. We are an interracial couple that moved into Lynn Haven (just north of PC) and were none too welcomed. Local kids wouldn't play with ours. Now the good things...No one really bothered us, the schools were the best in the co and even though the kids didn't have friends in the neighborhood, they could go out and play in our yard. I believe things are starting to change a little bit though. Lynn Haven is a small town (safe), not that much by way of entertainment. I hope you enjoy the area.

Wow, from Santa Barbara (California?) to Panama City--what a huge culture shock that must have been.

[caromc]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

Wow, from Santa Barbara (California?) to Panama City--what a huge culture shock that must have been.

Yes it was huge. Four years later we are still adjusting, ha. I'll tell you though (not to sound to churchie) God put us here at just the right time. We came closer as a family, something I know wouldn't have happened had we stayed in CA. Now it's time to take what we have learned and move forward. If you are looking for a contemporary church try Lynn Haven Methodist, they have a GREAT youth group. All of the youth leaders are really involved and supportive. They also have plenty of small groups to satisfy your wishes.

[sunshine girl]

Just returned from a trip to Pensacola, but have not made it yet to Panama City. Are they totally different, or can they even be compared at all? For the average working joe, with retirement in mind for the future. Thanks.