[billjunior]

My wife and I currently live and work in New England. We want warmer climates and nice beaches. We've traveled in the Caribbean, but family and economic realities rule out moving there as a practical option. She's traveled in Florida in the past, but I've only been through Miami. We are considering relocating to the Port St. Joe area of northwest Florida. The research I've done so far seems to indicate this area has beautiful beaches (a #1 priority) and reasonable real estate. Our kids are grown but we're not retirement age yet. What's the work scenario? And, if you don't mind, what's your general opinion of this area of Florida?
Thanks

[BlueWillowPlate]

billjunior

I live in Port St Joe.
The pros of this place are friendly people, low crime,little traffic, quiet and laid-back atmosphere, and yes, some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever, ever seen (and I've seen a few.)
Sugar white sand, gorgeous Gulf, nothing but sky and sea.
We have friends who are Florida natives and have a boat; they've been all around the Florida peninsula and they say these are the last truly unspoiled beaches of Florida. The wildlife is incredible, I regularly see bald eagles, river otters, great blue herons, deer, dolphins,sting rays, pelicans etc etc.
Now for the cons.
There was quite a real estate boom going for a couple years. Prices went up.
Property taxes went up.
Hurricane Dennis happened and insurance went up.
Then the boom ended, the market faltered, development is now pulled back; that's how my husband got laid off. We will be leaving in May when our youngest graduates from high school.
This is a tiny town (I assume you found your way to this forum from the City Data page below?)
http://www.city-data.com/city/Port-St.-Joe-Florida.html
Unless you are in the hospitality industry, you might not get a job here.
Many people who work here do not live here, and vice versa. People just make do. I have a friend, a nurse, who commutes to Panama City every day (40 minute drive each way.)
Port St Joe is in the middle of a metamorphosis, evolving from papermill town (the mill is closed) into a resort town. Not all of the residents are happy about this. People who used to be able to afford to live in town have had to move to outlying towns. OTOH, many residents have sold out during the boom and done very well financially.
There is still the ugly, smelly Arizona Chemical on the outskirts of town, but it has been sold and people (even those working there) predict it will be gone and/or moved in the next couple years.
There are a couple mom and pop grocery stores, but basically the only real market is Piggly Wiggly. There is no movie theater. The Marina is very nice; seafood is plentiful, fresh, and well-priced.There is no community center because here, the community center is church (there are 33 churches.) There is a Southern flavor to this town; it's more like Lower Alabama than Southern Florida. Yes you'll see pickups with pitbulls in the back, but it takes all kinds and I appreciate that.
You are looking to buy at a good time. Prices have gone down.
It's beautiful here. You can see the stars at night.
PM or email me if you'd like to know more.

[pianogal]

Cil, thank you for the post. It is so refreshing to see someone post a fair opinion on both pros and cons - of a place - even though they are having to leave and do it without bitterness and exaggeration. Those of us who have been around a few years, know life happens, things change and we deal with it and move on. I know my husband and I have been in a similar situation - that's what caused our move to Orlando over 20 years ago. It was a blessing in disguise for us and I hope that's what this becomes for you as you move on to new places and new adventures.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Thanks Pianogal.
I try not to be bitter because, well, it doesn't do me or anyone else any good.
And we're trying to stay in Florida, the current plan is to move to Amelia Island.

Billjunior, let me add one more thing about the climate.
Many people have the mistaken notion that Florida is warm all over. It's not.
We do have a real winter here, though it is very mild. We have had two hard freezes and could well have more. Trees change color and lose leaves, etc.
But as I said, winter is very easy to take. If you have a heated pool you can swim year round. (Actually, the pool where we rent is unheated and I've still continued swimming.)
Spring is absolutely glorious here, fall is nice too.
You've probably already found out about the hurricanes.

[sunrico90]

Great post Cil.....