[cuzmommysaysso]

Ok, so we're planning on relocating to Florida this summer. I've had my sight set on Niceville for months...and maybe Fort Walton Beach. Now though, as I do some research, Crestview looks like a pretty affordable place to live. I just don't know anything about it other than driving through it back in March. Schools would be a big concern for me. Also, jobs. I am an RN and want to make decent money without driving a long distance. I'm not sure which area would be better. We also like to spend time on the water, fishing, etc. How long does it take to get to the beaches from Crestview? Any opinions/comments would be appreciated!

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by cuzmommysaysso

Crestview looks like a pretty affordable place to live. I just don't know anything about it other than driving through it back in March.

The area has really taken off in the past 10 years because 1) the area south of Eglin reservation is largely built out 2) Crestview land was cheap and 3) you could build for a low cost per square foot/offer larger lots than what you could get in the southern part of the county. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of poor planning (okay total lack of planning) when it comes to having some sort of cohesive idea of what Crestview should look like when it grows up, and the commercial/retail dvelopment hasn't caught up with population growth in the area yet.

Schools would be a big concern for me.

School districts down here are by county. Overall, Okaloosa schools are considered to be some of the best in the state. I'd put the Crestview schools in the good category, but not quite as good as what you find in Niceville, Destin, or the northeast part of Ft. Walton Beach/Shalimar.

Also, jobs. I am an RN and want to make decent money without driving a long distance. I'm not sure which area would be better.

For hosital nursing, there's North Okaloosa Medical center in town. If you're close to I-10, you're actually within an hour's commute to some of the bigger hospitals in Pensacola, and probably 35-45 minutes from FWB medical center and 20-25 to Twin Cities hospital.

I'm not sure what the current job market is in the field right now.

We also like to spend time on the water, fishing, etc. How long does it take to get to the beaches from Crestview? Any opinions/comments would be appreciated!

Assume a solid 45 minutes from Crestview to the beach if you don't hit traffic, and an hour is pretty common if you do.

There's some lake and river fishing in the area, and if you're big on adventure, you can kayak through some pretty cool wilderness parts of Eglin reservation and Blackwater state forest.

We rented for a couple years when we moved down here, and when we bought, we bought in the Bluewater Bay area of Niceville. Could have had another 1,000 square feet if we'd opted for Crestview, but we just felt like it was too far away from the beach, good restaurants, and what we felt like what made the area unique. Everyone has different needs, and if we'd been more self-contained, Crestview might have been a better option because mister mouse would love to have more land than the standard quarter acre lot.

[cuzmommysaysso]

Your info was very helpful! We're planning on renting also for a year or two to make sure we're happy with where we are at. We drove through the blue water bay area of Niceville and that really appealed to me. I also looked at the Emerald Coast hospital (I think that is what it's called) in the Destin area. So that would be closer. We just really loved Niceville. Do you know the renting processes down there? Here in Illinois they run credit checks, etc. That kind of concerns me as we went through a really nasty custody battle that cost $25,000 and thus ruined our credit. We won, but at a nice cost. I understand how mister mouse feels about land as we currently have 6.5 acres. But I also miss the subdivision life from when I was grow up. It was a time when you could be social and friendly with your neighbors and the neighborhood kids all hung out. I don't know if life is still like that, but it was nice at the time. Everyone in Niceville did seem really friendly when we were there.

[beachmouse]

It's been a while since we rented, and the guy we rented from is no longer in the landlord business, so I couldn't say what most agencies' current policies are. Best thing to do would be to say 'here's what happened. Since this was resolved, we've paid our rent/mortgage on time for 32 straight months.'

[RVlover]

I live just outside of Crestview and have been here for about 2 months now. I like the area. Its about 40 minutes to Ft. Walton and Destin beaches --- easy to get to. Homes are much cheaper around Crestview versus Niceville /Ft. Walton. Being inland, Crestview is somewhat buffered from hurricanes .. at least it wouldnt get the FULL impact . My next door neighbor rode out Hurricane Ivan which was a Cat. 3 in Crestview with minimal damage to his place and he has a Mobile Home but well anchored. Lots of Military families live in Crestview . Walmart has Crestview pretty well sown up as does Lowes but i suspect competition will be moving in soon. Crestview is a family type town, minimal crime , easy to navigate , fairly congested at 4-6 pm during the week and Saturday aftrernoons and evenings. Easy access to I-10 and just 40 minutes to Pensacola . Property taxes and homes are especially cheap if you choose to live just outside of Crestview like Baker or Holt --- its more country living just outside of Crestview also.

[cuzmommysaysso]

do you know if the schools are good? And anything about nursing jobs? Seems like it would be a good distance from both the beaches and pensacola. Kind of the best of both worlds. Are people friendly and sociable there? I'm just anxious to get down there! Oh yeah...about how far from Panama City....that's where my mother in law lives so I know we'd be visiting regularly.

[grapico]

I would just over there... and it was an 1:15 minutes from Crestview i-10 exit (south border of Crestview) to hitting the beaches in destin... Summer there has really bad traffic.

[cuzmommysaysso]

how about nurse wages? Does anyone have any idea how much RN's make in the area>

[RVlover]

Originally Posted by grapico

I would just over there... and it was an 1:15 minutes from Crestview i-10 exit (south border of Crestview) to hitting the beaches in destin... Summer there has really bad traffic.

Dont know which way you went, but, if you take Route 85 south from I-10 in Crestview to the Toll Bridge (Route 293) that goes over the Bay...you can get to Destin in 45 min. max.

[RVlover]

Originally Posted by cuzmommysaysso

do you know if the schools are good? And anything about nursing jobs? Seems like it would be a good distance from both the beaches and pensacola. Kind of the best of both worlds. Are people friendly and sociable there? I'm just anxious to get down there! Oh yeah...about how far from Panama City....that's where my mother in law lives so I know we'd be visiting regularly.

Dont know about the schools in Crestview cause i dont have children. Cant advise you on Nursing Jobs either, but go to www.topix.com and search for the Crestview or Holt forum and ask a variety of questions there. Also, check the Crestview Newspapers online under Jobs. People are very friendly and approachable here in the Crestview area due mainly to the Panhandle having a strong Christian Culture . Its about 1.5-2.0 hours to Panama City from Crestview taking a leisurly drive. During the summer months when Tourism is high in the area, youll want to avoid Route 98 which runs along the Coastline. Tourist season typically starts this coming week and so does hurricane season thru Nov.