[janetboil]

I would say that I partially agree, the panhandle area in general may be a bit behind the times but this is what gives it so much charm. Keeping in mind that very few people living in Florida are actually born and raised there, most are transplants via the military presence throughout the region. Having said that, I would offer up that most of your so called professional contacts are no doubt from someplace else in the country. Being a real estate professional in ohio and Florida I would agree that the Emerald Coast will be the place to be in a few years. The new airport will bring people from all over expanding the culture and population in a positive manner. it will no longer be just folks from Alabama or Georgia coming down for the weekend to play. Snowbirds will soon discover its beauty and its less metropolitan feel as opposed to further south in the state.

[JRA2000TL]

I was one of those Southerners who could not wait to get out of the South and leave the rednecks behind. Then I got a job where I travel--alot, in a week, out a week, all over the US. I used to want to move to the North as I am hot-natured and love the cold/snow. I also love the beach. Well, my opinion has changed. Once you feel like you live on the road in some of these other towns, they are pretty bleak. Go to Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Jersey, etc. You then realize this isn't the worst place in the world, and it's cheap to live.

I am a 28 year old professional, and believe it or not, I'm not "in" with this whole younger culture thing these days. I'm an older traditionalist, so I don't mind "bland" or "backwards" as some may call this area. I'm a boring person. I like to be around people like me. I like to do the same things all the time. The fast paced lifestyle of being on the road and in the big cities was fun--for awhile.

I'd be happy living in a small beach town in the panhandle and having a simple life. Too many people work 12+ hour days, being stuck with a BlackBerry (got one of those too), commuting 1+ hour each way to work. Forget that.....a job is not worth my well being. Who cares about the money if I have no time to enjoy it. I'll take a middle class job and come home to a peaceful home....near the beach, and enjoy it!

[Angela Next]

Hi! This is my first post so bear with me if I screw up the quotes, etc. I just had to say I totally agree with this post. I worked as a park ranger on an island. I thought I was too young to be a "hermit" so changed jobs to work in computer technology, transfered to a city. Night life! Culture! I couldn't wait!

Well, I hated it. Everyone dressed the same, black dresses, gold chains, and dyed blond hair cut the same length, or IBM suits. I don't think I saw one sports car in 3 years. I Worked with people who bragged about how many long hours they put in the day/night before. I listened to this while I sat in my cubicle.
I don't want much. A small place to call home that is affordable with pretty scenery, and warm weather year round. A community of friendly people.

Here's my question. Yes, I actually have one or 2. :-)
What does home owners insurance cost roughly? I'm afraid that it is going to be too expensive due to past hurricanes. But I would love to live near the coast again if not.

Also how would anyone rate the quality of health care in the area? Right now I live in a small town (100,00 pop.) and options are few. I need access to quality, (and as close to cutting edge as possible) health care for a chronic health condition. Sorry I haven't had a chance to google the hospitals listed in this thread yet.

I miss the seafood too!

Thanks for anyone's input.
Angela

Originally Posted by JRA2000TL

I was one of those Southerners who could not wait to get out of the South and leave the rednecks behind. Then I got a job where I travel--alot, in a week, out a week, all over the US. I used to want to move to the North as I am hot-natured and love the cold/snow. I also love the beach. Well, my opinion has changed. Once you feel like you live on the road in some of these other towns, they are pretty bleak. Go to Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Jersey, etc. You then realize this isn't the worst place in the world, and it's cheap to live.

I am a 28 year old professional, and believe it or not, I'm not "in" with this whole younger culture thing these days. I'm an older traditionalist, so I don't mind "bland" or "backwards" as some may call this area. I'm a boring person. I like to be around people like me. I like to do the same things all the time. The fast paced lifestyle of being on the road and in the big cities was fun--for awhile.

I'd be happy living in a small beach town in the panhandle and having a simple life. Too many people work 12+ hour days, being stuck with a BlackBerry (got one of those too), commuting 1+ hour each way to work. Forget that.....a job is not worth my well being. Who cares about the money if I have no time to enjoy it. I'll take a middle class job and come home to a peaceful home....near the beach, and enjoy it!

[north_is_best]

Well. different people have different perspectives and I respect that. Here is my take.. When I moved to Panama city, I was excited. But later disappointed. I did find Panama city/pan handle living 20 years back. this is only a perception I got from living in the city/interacting with people there.. so don't quote me on this.. and I needed a more progressive/young/vibrant culture. So.. no.. Pan handle/Panama city is not for someone like me who wants a great professional friends circle and a culturally rich atmosphere. Beach/bar entertainment options were not culturally and intellectually satisfying for me.. Some of the small towns in US still offer a vibrant young atmosphere but they usually have a big college campus that does that.

Originally Posted by JRA2000TL

I was one of those Southerners who could not wait to get out of the South and leave the rednecks behind. Then I got a job where I travel--alot, in a week, out a week, all over the US. I used to want to move to the North as I am hot-natured and love the cold/snow. I also love the beach. Well, my opinion has changed. Once you feel like you live on the road in some of these other towns, they are pretty bleak. Go to Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Jersey, etc. You then realize this isn't the worst place in the world, and it's cheap to live.

I am a 28 year old professional, and believe it or not, I'm not "in" with this whole younger culture thing these days. I'm an older traditionalist, so I don't mind "bland" or "backwards" as some may call this area. I'm a boring person. I like to be around people like me. I like to do the same things all the time. The fast paced lifestyle of being on the road and in the big cities was fun--for awhile.

I'd be happy living in a small beach town in the panhandle and having a simple life. Too many people work 12+ hour days, being stuck with a BlackBerry (got one of those too), commuting 1+ hour each way to work. Forget that.....a job is not worth my well being. Who cares about the money if I have no time to enjoy it. I'll take a middle class job and come home to a peaceful home....near the beach, and enjoy it!

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

Those communities are actually *west* of Panama City.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[2goldens]

Originally Posted by north_is_best

Well. different people have different perspectives and I respect that. Here is my take.. When I moved to Panama city, I was excited. But later disappointed. I did find Panama city/pan handle living 20 years back. this is only a perception I got from living in the city/interacting with people there.. so don't quote me on this.. and I needed a more progressive/young/vibrant culture. So.. no.. Pan handle/Panama city is not for someone like me who wants a great professional friends circle and a culturally rich atmosphere. Beach/bar entertainment options were not culturally and intellectually satisfying for me.. Some of the small towns in US still offer a vibrant young atmosphere but they usually have a big college campus that does that.

Please emphasize "ME as ONE member" more often in your posts.

[Angela Next]

Originally Posted by north_is_best

Well. different people have different perspectives and I respect that. Here is my take.. When I moved to Panama city, I was excited. But later disappointed. I did find Panama city/pan handle living 20 years back. this is only a perception I got from living in the city/interacting with people there.. so don't quote me on this.. and I needed a more progressive/young/vibrant culture. So.. no.. Pan handle/Panama city is not for someone like me who wants a great professional friends circle and a culturally rich atmosphere. Beach/bar entertainment options were not culturally and intellectually satisfying for me.. Some of the small towns in US still offer a vibrant young atmosphere but they usually have a big college campus that does that.

Hi, I do know what you mean. And from what you say I think I would miss some things I have where I live now. After the move to the city I spoke of in my first post, I moved to a small town, mostly because I loved the scenery, access to nature, and the fact that even though it's small there is a REAL downtown.
Yet at first I wondered if I could fit in, as it about 20 years behind the times in some ways. But we have a college here and it does make all the difference in the world. There is plenty of culture and diversity.
It's also become a destination "city". Sort of like the next San Francisco. There is so much "New Age" attitude going on it gets to be a bit much at times.
I would stay if not for my health and the high cost of living. We pay for the "quality of life".
It really is difficult to find the right blend of a community, forward thinking, culture, but not too much progress.... I'll let you know when I find it again. :-)
And your welcome to PM me if you would like to know more about this town. I think you might like it.
Angela