[touretteboy65]

Nearing retirement in Orlando, Fl, and we're looking for a new place to live. I've done some research of Crestview, and so far, things seem to be going well there. We have two small children, so public schools are very important. Also, I plan to continue working full time, so how is the job market? We're interested in an area that have homes on large lots (1-2 acres), but don't want to be living in an area where we have to drive miles to the grocery store or to any other area of convenience (movies, restaurants, etc.). Family life is of utmost importance, and I would like my children to grow up in an area that have many families around them. Hurricanes don't bother me; I've lived in Florida since 1973 and they're nothing more than a media frenzy. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

Nearing retirement in Orlando, Fl, and we're looking for a new place to live. I've done some research of Crestview, and so far, things seem to be going well there. We have two small children, so public schools are very important. Also, I plan to continue working full time, so how is the job market? We're interested in an area that have homes on large lots (1-2 acres), but don't want to be living in an area where we have to drive miles to the grocery store or to any other area of convenience (movies, restaurants, etc.). Family life is of utmost importance, and I would like my children to grow up in an area that have many families around them. Hurricanes don't bother me; I've lived in Florida since 1973 and they're nothing more than a media frenzy. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks.

I don't think its great for schools... my grandpa and mom grew up there and moved out of there because the schools sucked compared to say Tallahassee... The schools in FWB, Niceville and Pensacola are also much better.

Also movies and restaurants? LOL The one movie theater in town is disgusting. No good restaurants there, pretty much consists of a few chinese buffets, a Ryans and some other nasty places. Seriously that is all that is there. The mecca of the town is a super walmart near the interstate.

It is absolutely nothing like Orlando, it is like moving to Alabama. I would actually recommend MOVING to Alabama like Dothan or Mobile over Crestview any day of the week.
There is also a Publix and Winn Dixie there. There was an IGA but it closed.

I have friends in the military there at Eglin who are pretty conservative and even they make fun of all the rednecks and white trash in Crestview.

It is too inland to get drastic hurricane damage though there were some issues with Ivan and Katrina evacuees showing up there, but that is over.

Destin and FWB are cool though.

Job market is super dismal there...

Where did you get the idea to move to Crestview???

If you are looking to come to the panhandle for whatever reason I would check out Pensacola, FWB, Panama City and Tallahassee metros instead...

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by grapico

I don't think its great for schools... my grandpa and mom grew up there and moved out of there because the schools sucked compared to say Tallahassee... The schools in FWB, Niceville and Pensacola are also much better.

Also movies and restaurants? LOL The one movie theater in town is disgusting. No good restaurants there, pretty much consists of a few chinese buffets, a Ryans and some other nasty places. Seriously that is all that is there. The mecca of the town is a super walmart near the interstate.

It is absolutely nothing like Orlando, it is like moving to Alabama. I would actually recommend MOVING to Alabama like Dothan or Mobile over Crestview any day of the week.
There is also a Publix and Winn Dixie there. There was an IGA but it closed.

I have friends in the military there at Eglin who are pretty conservative and even they make fun of all the rednecks and white trash in Crestview.

It is too inland to get drastic hurricane damage though there were some issues with Ivan and Katrina evacuees showing up there, but that is over.

Destin and FWB are cool though.

Job market is super dismal there...

Where did you get the idea to move to Crestview???

If you are looking to come to the panhandle for whatever reason I would check out Pensacola, FWB, Panama City and Tallahassee metros instead...

Actually, there are many homes for sale in the area that seem to be very nice and modern. Also, I've obtained info from Wikipedia that seems to be positive for the area. It's been called one of Florida's fastest growing communities and other people on this website speak mostly positive of it. To each their own, though. That's one of the reasons why I check this website frequently, because I feel it's best to get info about an area from people who actually live there, rather than relying on a realtor or city website. Also, have you been to Orlando lately? It has turned into a dump and it's getting no better. Thanks for the info.

[beachmouse]

The people I know who live in Crestview tend to fall into two groups: A) the ones who moved up there for a cheap new house and find that commercial development hasn't followed the residential development and who subsequently complain that there's nothing to do up there for fun and B) the people who moved up there looking for a country/rural feel, think the overbuilding of new subdivisions is killing that, and are consequently trying to move further out to Baker or Laurel Hill where the sewer lines don't run and you can have enough room for horses. (Baker and Laurel Hill being beyond BFE in my estimation)

There are a couple of good elementary schools up there, and I wouldn't call any of the schools in Okaloosa County horrible, but the middle schools and high schools are seen as lagging what you get in FWB, Niceville, or Destin.

Employment for someone new to the area largely depends on whether you've got Department of Defense connections. If you do, you'll probably be okay. It's a company town (75% of the economy in Okaloosa County is military-related) and they take care of their own. If you don't, it's pretty hard to find anything white collar.

Crestview is going to be a growth area in coming years just because of its location- everything else to the south of it in terms of private (non-DoD) land is effectively built out and BRAC is bringing a bunch of new people into the area. But the Crestview area has done a lousy job of planning and managing that growth and its becoming urban sprawl hell, especially in the south of I-10 area.

The hard part of your request for that part of the panhandle is an acre or two that's close to commercial amenities. Because of all the gub'mint land that's off the books, and how the coastal areas are getting filled in, it's hard to find one without the other. Maybe the Pace/Milton area a little further west? You're north of Eglin where you're likely to get bigger lots, have pretty access to the commercial parts of Pensacola, and it gets you in the generally good Santa Rosa schools.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

The people I know who live in Crestview tend to fall into two groups: A) the ones who moved up there for a cheap new house and find that commercial development hasn't followed the residential development and who subsequently complain that there's nothing to do up there for fun and B) the people who moved up there looking for a country/rural feel, think the overbuilding of new subdivisions is killing that, and are consequently trying to move further out to Baker or Laurel Hill where the sewer lines don't run and you can have enough room for horses. (Baker and Laurel Hill being beyond BFE in my estimation)

There are a couple of good elementary schools up there, and I wouldn't call any of the schools in Okaloosa County horrible, but the middle schools and high schools are seen as lagging what you get in FWB, Niceville, or Destin.

Employment for someone new to the area largely depends on whether you've got Department of Defense connections. If you do, you'll probably be okay. It's a company town (75% of the economy in Okaloosa County is military-related) and they take care of their own. If you don't, it's pretty hard to find anything white collar.

Crestview is going to be a growth area in coming years just because of its location- everything else to the south of it in terms of private (non-DoD) land is effectively built out and BRAC is bringing a bunch of new people into the area. But the Crestview area has done a lousy job of planning and managing that growth and its becoming urban sprawl hell, especially in the south of I-10 area.

The hard part of your request for that part of the panhandle is an acre or two that's close to commercial amenities. Because of all the gub'mint land that's off the books, and how the coastal areas are getting filled in, it's hard to find one without the other. Maybe the Pace/Milton area a little further west? You're north of Eglin where you're likely to get bigger lots, have pretty access to the commercial parts of Pensacola, and it gets you in the generally good Santa Rosa schools.

good points, I think if he does move to Crestview he will want to put the kids in schools down in the coast towns... and going to be driving a lot to FWB/Destin and Pensacola.

Good pointing out that 75% is military there, but they say they have low unemployment... not for regular people... not the place to be. My grandpa moved there in the 70s and I guess it was that country feel back then from pictures I've seen, and even in the 80s I remember some small shops and drug stores... not so much anymore, it is a walmart city!

Destin has also had an EXTREME makeover since the 80s, its like you stepped out of Alabama into south florida in a few minutes.

[gnGracie]

I live in FWB, south of Crestview, but also sell homes in Crestview (I'm a Realtor) and I have family living there with young children. In the past, I don't think people were thrilled about the schools there, but in recent years the schools have received high ratings and the parents I speak with are very satisfied with the schools in Crestview. Crestview has most conveniences that you spoke about (including a super Wal Mart), but for a good movie theater, you will have to drive to one of the surrounding cities, at least for now. There is talk of building a multiplex theater in Crestview, but right now it's just talk. As far as the job market, we're feeling the depressed economy like the rest of the nation, so it really depends on the type of work you do.

As a home buyer (or renter), there are some GREAT deals to be had right now! You will definitely get more house and land for your money in Crestview than many of the surrounding areas. I would be happy to help you out if you're interested in purchasing a home. Just send me an email and I can set up a search for you to give you an idea of our local market.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

Brandy

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by gnGracie

I live in FWB, south of Crestview, but also sell homes in Crestview (I'm a Realtor) and I have family living there with young children. In the past, I don't think people were thrilled about the schools there, but in recent years the schools have received high ratings and the parents I speak with are very satisfied with the schools in Crestview. Crestview has most conveniences that you spoke about (including a super Wal Mart), but for a good movie theater, you will have to drive to one of the surrounding cities, at least for now. There is talk of building a multiplex theater in Crestview, but right now it's just talk. As far as the job market, we're feeling the depressed economy like the rest of the nation, so it really depends on the type of work you do.

As a home buyer (or renter), there are some GREAT deals to be had right now! You will definitely get more house and land for your money in Crestview than many of the surrounding areas. I would be happy to help you out if you're interested in purchasing a home. Just send me an email and I can set up a search for you to give you an idea of our local market.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

Brandy

Thank you, Brandy. Depending on our final decision on where to move, I'll keep you in mind. Thanks.

[gnGracie]

You're very welcome.

[RVlover]

I moved to Crestview recently and like the rural feel compared to Northern Illinois. Crestview is a developing town and in time will have alot more to offer in the way of Movie Theatres, Department Stores, etc... I cant comment on the school situation but you get alot more house/land for your money than up north , however, virtually everything else is about the same price like groceries, gasoline, restaurants, etc... I like the people down here in the south, living close to the beaches, the conservative Christian culture, family atmosphere, variety of events thruout the year, and of course the weather . The job situation doesnt affect me as im semi retired but I keep hearing that its slim pickin's around this area .

[cuzmommysaysso]

Originally Posted by RVlover

I moved to Crestview recently and like the rural feel compared to Northern Illinois. Crestview is a developing town and in time will have alot more to offer in the way of Movie Theatres, Department Stores, etc... I cant comment on the school situation but you get alot more house/land for your money than up north , however, virtually everything else is about the same price like groceries, gasoline, restaurants, etc... I like the people down here in the south, living close to the beaches, the conservative Christian culture, family atmosphere, variety of events thruout the year, and of course the weather . The job situation doesnt affect me as im semi retired but I keep hearing that its slim pickin's around this area .

We currently live in Illinois, near St. Louis and are looking to move down there once (if) our house sells. We have been looking at Niceville, but now are also considering crestview as it seems to be more affordable. How far would you say crestview is from say Destin?