[UrsTruly]

I live in Ohio and am thinking of moving to Panama City. I have been reading thru the threads posted, and I've read some good and bad about the area. Personally, I think I will like it. I am a single parent with a teenage son. I work in the medical field and was wondering what employment opportunities are available. The weather is a major factor too. I know you folks get a little cold weather in the winter, but not like here in Ohio. I've seen enough snow to last a lifetime. Any response will be appreciated.

[beachmouse]

The best places to start would probably be the hospital websites. Those places seem to be hiring even when a lot of other businesses aren't. Bat Medical's the big player in Bay County, and they've generally got a good reputation as an employer. Also check out Sacred Heart out of Pensacola- they operate a couple smaller hospitals in nearby Santa Rosa Beach and Port St. Joe.

[sunrico90]

Contact the HR services for hospitals and local recruiters. Also take a look at USAJOBS for government jobs at the military bases and VA.

[UrsTruly]

Thanks! I took the advice both of you shared, very helpful. I signed up with USAJOBS and searched Sacred Heart. Still looking.

[TheJagMan]

Just a FYI...Panama City Beach (PCB) and Panama City while right next to each other are two separate cities. PCB is the fun tourist and spring break destination with the beaches, Panama City is not...

[UrsTruly]

What can you tell me about a few outlying areas, like Callaway or Lynn Haven? Thanks!

[HowDeDo]

I passed thru Panama City when i was RVing last March. It looked like a real hangout for College Kids -- tons of them . It was during the day so there wasnt alot of hullabalu , but, ill bet after dark the town is really buzzin' . Your Son may like the atmosphere but I wouldnt count on alot of peace and quiet if thats important to you. The town appeared to be really spread out from north to south with many public beach accesses. I dont remember seeing ANY police there , and i was in the downtown area for about an hour eating lunch inside the RV. Id check the crime stats on the town if i were you as i suspect it might be higher than average.

[luzianne]

I don't live in Florida, but as a visitor I like the communities to the east of Panama City better. Nicer, more upscale, less run down and well, tacky looking. When I say tacky looking I'm just going by what I saw as I drove along the beach. I am no expert on the area, but just from my own perspective I like the places between Fort Walton Beach and Rosemary Beach better than Panama City. If I could afford to, I'd buy a house in Seaside.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by HowDeDo

I passed thru Panama City when i was RVing last March. It looked like a real hangout for College Kids -- tons of them . It was during the day so there wasnt alot of hullabalu , but, ill bet after dark the town is really buzzin' . Your Son may like the atmosphere but I wouldnt count on alot of peace and quiet if thats important to you. The town appeared to be really spread out from north to south with many public beach accesses. I dont remember seeing ANY police there , and i was in the downtown area for about an hour eating lunch inside the RV. Id check the crime stats on the town if i were you as i suspect it might be higher than average.

You'll find plenty of Bay County police on Highway 98. (Some of us referred to it as Bloody 98.)
Lynn Haven is family friendly.

Originally Posted by luzianne

I don't live in Florida, but as a visitor I like the communities to the east of Panama City better. Nicer, more upscale, less run down and well, tacky looking. When I say tacky looking I'm just going by what I saw as I drove along the beach. I am no expert on the area, but just from my own perspective I like the places between Fort Walton Beach and Rosemary Beach better than Panama City. If I could afford to, I'd buy a house in Seaside.

Those communities are actually *west* of Panama City.
heh
We couldn't even afford to rent in Seaside.
I agree that those little towns are very nice indeed--but beware of the traffic, there can be some nasty accidents.
There is also Port St Joe, which is east of Panama, about 40-45 minutes on the highway, and further along, Apalachicola. In some ways PSJ and Apalach are in a 1950's time warp, but that's not all bad.

[FallDreamer]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I don't live in Florida, but as a visitor I like the communities to the east of Panama City better. Nicer, more upscale, less run down and well, tacky looking. When I say tacky looking I'm just going by what I saw as I drove along the beach. I am no expert on the area, but just from my own perspective I like the places between Fort Walton Beach and Rosemary Beach better than Panama City. If I could afford to, I'd buy a house in Seaside.

Who wouldn't buy a house in seaside? For anyone that is not familiar with this area, I believe that one of those neighborhoods was filmed in the Jim Carey film "The Truman Show". All of those neighborhoods are very Stepford-esque. And all price above $500,000. If you are a single mom, I doubt this would be realistic for you.

I suggest moving to Lynn Haven. It is the most quiet and family oriented town near panama city. I have friends that went to school there, and they seem to be the best. Your son would also be far enough away from all of the spring break rif-raff. You also would be fairly close to our 2 main hospitals in panama city, Bay Medical, and Gulf Coast Medical Center.