[luchini]

I am single 26 year old asian male in the Navy. Talking to my detailer they are in need of instructors at NAS Pensacola and guranteed I could go there if I wanted to. I spent 3 months there from OCT-JAN a few years ago as a student at the class I would now be teaching. I didnt venture too far off base though during that time I think the farthest I got out to was Mcguires and only visited the beach once.



For the most part I did enjoy my short stay there. I liked the small-town, tropical beach kind of atmosphere and culture. At the sametime I did dislike the small town kind of feel when encountering some of the locals.

Are there alot of single women out there and if so where is a good place to meet? Going from sea to shore duty I am interested in finding a steady gf. Is there a stigma for military guys out there?


How is traffic? I have a sports car and a motorcycle and do not like the traffic I currently deal with in the Seattle area. Is auto theft a problem here?


What are some good places to visit within driving distance? I never got the chance to see New Orleans as I got there right after Katrina.


I am at a toss-up between San Diego and Pensacola.

[RVlover]

Ill answer as much as i can for you. The towns of Destin and Fort Walton are considered 'the playground' for meeting people/beaches/water sports/ etc... Loads of nightclubs to choose from if youre into that. During the Tourist months of June thru Sept, traffic is high for the entire area especially along the coast...but after that youd have alot of fun with your motorcycle and sports car . Theres a fair amount of motorcyclists about. The Panhandle is a conservative Christian area unlike San Deigo, CA ... therefore people are generally more law abiding and considerate because they value morals .

[Memphis1979]

Depends on what kind of relationships you're looking for.

Lots of women are down here in season to pick up from the bar, but they'll be gone in a week. So if you're looking for just a good time, yeah, no problems at all.

If you're looking for a real longterm relationship, the pickings are smaller. Many people just move here for the summer and fall months, and leave for 3 to 4 months out of the year. The population is older and much less then what it is during the summer when your in the off season.

I've been to a few bars in P'cola, but I've been happier with the ones in the Destin area.

[luchini]

Ok it now looks like ill be heading to Pensacola. Thank you for the inputs so far.

1. I will be getting $1000 for housing allowance. The apartment I have right now has a secure garage and secure entry via key card. I dont mind spending a little extra to get a nice "secure" apartment with a parking garage as I dont want my auto or bike stolen. Would $1000 get me something along these lines? I am not really looking for a roommate.

2. Which brings us to question 2. What is a good place to live in or around Pensacola? The most time I would want to travel to work one way would be 20-30 minutes max when you factor in traffic.

3. What kind of fun or must do activities are there to do in the area? Im guessing beach hopping is popular with tourists and new check-ins?

4. Are there any local colleges in the area?

[RVlover]

1. I will be getting $1000 for housing allowance. The apartment I have right now has a secure garage and secure entry via key card. I dont mind spending a little extra to get a nice "secure" apartment with a parking garage as I dont want my auto or bike stolen. Would $1000 get me something along these lines? I am not really looking for a roommate.

REPLY: A thousand should do just fine ; you may have some money left over.

2. Which brings us to question 2. What is a good place to live in or around Pensacola? The most time I would want to travel to work one way would be 20-30 minutes max when you factor in traffic.

REPLY: I hear the west side of Pensacola you should stay away from. I havent heard any bad reports on the surrounding northern suburbs of Pensacola ; You could live in Pace or Milton which are eastern suburbs and still within 30 minutes -- they are quieter places. Then theres Navarre right on the coast which is 30 min. and you may be able to rent a cottage or mobile home if you care to. , and youd be VERY close to the beach. (pull out your map and take a look) . Theres live music right on the beach every Friday night at Navarre ; also on Pensacola Beach every Tues.

3. What kind of fun or must do activities are there to do in the area? Im guessing beach hopping is popular with tourists and new check-ins?

REPLY: Yes on the beaches. Live music on the beaches in just about every town along the coast, tons of water sports , fishing charters to catch the BIG ones (a guy caught a 742 lb. Marlin a few weeks ago and took him 8 hours to reel it in ! He must have used his wifes Pot Roast.) . Lots of motorcyclists...and im sure theres a motorcyle club in the area which would do activities and trips. Lots of decent NightClubs I hear incl. The Swamp in Destin which opens out onto the beach -- live music there and a popular place for the ladies. Also A.J'.s in Destin . Theres the Bomb Museum (Armament Museum) in Ft. Walton , Festivals thruout the summer in all the towns , good seafood restaurants. From what ive noticed, theres ALOT of 20 something People between Pensacola and Destin so youll fit right in im sure.

4. Are there any local colleges in the area?

REPLY: Pensacola Jr. College (PJC) is pretty big and theres a couple other smaller colleges/ Tech. Trade schools in the area.

[luchini]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I will enjoy Pensacola area alot. I am from and stationed in rainy WA so this will be a nice change of scenery for me.


Is there any stigma for being military there? I know in alot of place sailors get bad raps for being loud and rude which i am the opposite of.

[beachmouse]

University of West Florida is a pretty sizeable school. Pensacola Christian College is a very very conservative school and has accreditation issues which may cause issues about credit transfering if need be.

Unless you want to live directly on the beach, $1000 will go pretty far in the area. You might even swing a newer (though smallish) single family house with attached garage at that price. The west side of Pensacola proper is pretty rough but if you keep going west until you almost hit the Alabama border, there are some nice newer areas by Caro and Blue Angels elementary schools that would be a very reasonable commute.

A lot of folks end up in the Cordova Mall/airport area, but it's a bit of a hike to NAS Pensacola proper. The Gulf Breeze/Navarre area is very safe, but a longer commute and you're paying a premium for public schools you won't use if you live out there.

[luchini]

I did a search on craigslist and it looks like $1000 gets alot out there. A small single family house with a garage would be perfect. I do not want to leave my car and motorcycle out in the open as I spent alot of my disposable income on them. I have been to Cordova Mall and the area seem well taken care of. I have never been to Gulf Breeze or Navarre though.

[RVlover]

Originally Posted by luchini

Is there any stigma for being military there? I know in alot of place sailors get bad raps for being loud and rude which i am the opposite of.

There is a HUGE number of military in the Pensacola/Destin/Ft. Walton/Navarre area with Eglin Air Force base and Pensacola Naval Air Station . I see and hear of no stigmas . But I wouldnt go 'round singing : Anchors Away My Boys !

[RVlover]

' Pensacola Christian College is a very very conservative school....'

REPLY: Indeed ; that means far less people who choose not to willfully suppress thier moral conscience so they can live as they like. Im sure our OP wishes to honor his Parents hard work at raising him right and even now he is out on his own, he doesnt want to start living recklessly as our out of control american culture dictates and encouirages.