[wingnutgirl]

My family and I are going to be moving to the Gulf Breeze area this June. I was wondering if anyone can give me some info in to the area. I am a stay at home mom and where we currently are though there are lots of moms (most very young) there are NO mommy and me groups. Also there is VERY little to do besides looking at old cajun houses and visiting swamps. Community activities are arranges around where the cheepest pitcher of beer is and the only outlet I have found is going to the gym. We really want an area that our kids can play with other kids and where I can meet other moms. My husband is a commercial diver so jobs, wages, etc. not as important as schools and community. Also I realize that not matter where in the south we are the bugs are going to be much larger than in the northwest, but a general idea of what to expect would be nice. Since moving to LA I have had my home sprayed for roaches 15 times! Thanks everybody!!

[lokahi]

I think you'll really like Gulf Breeze - it's a great place to live, and there are alot of different things to do - you can go into Pensacola as well. Gulf Breeze is also very close to Pensacola Beach. Both Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach Elementary schools have great PTAs and parent groups. I think you'll enjoy living there!

The Panhandle of Florida is still very southern. Although, Pensacola has a great group of ppl. that are very much into organic food, midwifery, etc. Here's a link to Everman's, the co-op in P'cola: Ever'man Natural Foods - A Website For Health Conscious, Enviromentally Friendly People. They have other links to some of the community events in and around P'cola. Gulf Breeze is about 15-20 minutes away from P'cola.

[lindseyfriar]

I'm a stay at home mom too! I know I'm always looking to keep my 11 month old boy busy all the time. I've started teaching Art Lessons in Gulf Breeze at The Club. All the information is at www.lindseyfriar.com under the "Art Lessons" tab. Sessions start on June 8th and I do take drop ins and private lessons, etc too. We do everything from art history to ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, and more!

I've lived here all my life and love it. I just quit my full time job as an Art Teacher for Santa Rosa County to teach art part time at The Club so that I can stay at home with my boy.

Good Luck with the move!

[RVlover]

I once considered moving to Gulf Breeze, but after seeing the area was inundated with Tourist traps, heavy traffic on Route 98 which is the main route , plus high property taxes, and increased threat of hurricanes... I opted to move 35 minutes inland where it is more affordable and less congested. This is my opinion only and maybe you would see it differently. You should definitely come down to check out the whole area of the Panhandle before you move, so you can see what best fits your criteria.

[bookboarder]

I'm currently living in New Orleans, and we'll be relocating to the panhandle area (most likely) in the next year (we're waiting as I'm pregnant and want to delivery with my doctor as I'm high risk). I'm a stay at home mom, too, and experience a similar level of frustration with the area we live in. Gulf Breeze does sound like a nice possibility!

[digs5446]

Originally Posted by RVlover

I once considered moving to Gulf Breeze, but after seeing the area was inundated with Tourist traps, heavy traffic on Route 98 which is the main route , plus high property taxes, and increased threat of hurricanes... I opted to move 35 minutes inland where it is more affordable and less congested. This is my opinion only and maybe you would see it differently. You should definitely come down to check out the whole area of the Panhandle before you move, so you can see what best fits your criteria.

When you say "high property taxes", exactly how high are we talking? I may be moving to Gulf Breeze from the greater Boston area where property taxes average about $14-$15 per thousand of assessed valuation. In other words, roughly $5,000 per year on a house valued at $375,000. Please tell me it's much less than that in Gulf Breeze!

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by digs5446

When you say "high property taxes", exactly how high are we talking? I may be moving to Gulf Breeze from the greater Boston area where property taxes average about $14-$15 per thousand of assessed valuation. In other words, roughly $5,000 per year on a house valued at $375,000. Please tell me it's much less than that in Gulf Breeze!

Here is a tax estimator for Santa Rosa County taxes.

Gregory S. Brown, CFA SANTA Rosa County Property Appraiser

What you really need to worry about is IF you will be able to get homeowners insurance. And you may get it for one year and then the company just drops you out of the blue. And if you plan on living in a flood zone you'll need flood insurance as well as homeowners and windstorm. Windstorm, homeowners, and flood (if you're in a flood zone) are only optional if you do not have a mortgage.

[digs5446]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

Here is a tax estimator for Santa Rosa County taxes.

Gregory S. Brown, CFA SANTA Rosa County Property Appraiser

What you really need to worry about is IF you will be able to get homeowners insurance. And you may get it for one year and then the company just drops you out of the blue. And if you plan on living in a flood zone you'll need flood insurance as well as homeowners and windstorm. Windstorm, homeowners, and flood (if you're in a flood zone) are only optional if you do not have a mortgage.

Wow. I just used that tool (thanks by the way, that's pretty neat) and it basically says that taxes are worse in Gulf Breeze than in the western suburbs of Boston...which I didn't think was possible. I'm amazed how much higher taxes are than in Baldwin County, AL. I was looking at homes in Fairhope and Spanish Fort...the property taxes are about a third as much as Gulf Breeze. Bummer.

I was really into the idea of FL because there's no income tax and I may end up working in Pensacola (I'm in health care and Mobile is not as happening in that sector, right?). But if property taxes are THAT high in Gulf Breeze and you also have super high insurance (if you can even find coverage)...I may have to change my mind. Meh...