[allniter89]

I cant believe there's not a thread for the panhandle .
I've lived in Okaloosa County since 1980, anyone want to contribute?
Questions, statements, likes, dislikes??
Remember when US 98 was right on the shoreline between Destin and Sandestin, that was a beautiful drive
Remember when it didnt take 90 mins to drive between Ft Walton and Pensacola on US98?
How about stories about riding out some of our more ferious hurricanes, Opal, Ivan, Fredeiric, others?
Cmon, lets hear from you....neighbors

[mango23]

Originally Posted by allniter89

I cant believe there's not a thread for the panhandle .
I've lived in Okaloosa County since 1980, anyone want to contribute?
Questions, statements, likes, dislikes??
Remember when US 98 was right on the shoreline between Destin and Sandestin, that was a beautiful drive
Remember when it didnt take 90 mins to drive between Ft Walton and Pensacola on US98?
How about stories about riding out some of our more ferious hurricanes, Opal, Ivan, Fredeiric, others?
Cmon, lets hear from you....neighbors

You first. No kidding though I want to move to the panhandle in the worst way. I was to take a trip up there this weekend but have to put it off till next weekend because of business. I want to buy something and move up there so bad I can taste it. I am looking around Liberty county. Have any thoughts about the Bristol area? Anyone?

[2goldens]

I love the Panama City Beach water. The last time I played, tiny white fishes were swimming around my legs nibbling on me, not hurting, just letting me know they were there. The water was so clear and see-through that I could watch the white fishes swimming around my legs.

Also, the Dolphins are super friendly. It's not advisable to feed the dolphins dead fish bait whereas they lose their Independence.

[TampaKaren]

I've been trying to convince DH that we need to visit the panhandle, but he's not buying what I'm selling. He visited once when he was a kid and was bitten by a jellyfish. I told him jellyfish don't live 40 years, but he's not hearing me. The closest I've gotten was in Chipley for a night in the motorhome. Maybe you can tell us the finer points and I'll let him read it.

[Memphis1979]

I just moved down here for good this time. I spent a few years down here back in the 90's, when I was younger and a whole lot dumber.

It amazes me how many things have changed here in the last 10 years.

This is the most beautiful water in the world, in my opinion. The beaches here are awesome, but I wish they'd push development away from the water, but what can you do.

[allniter89]

Originally Posted by mango23

You first. No kidding though I want to move to the panhandle in the worst way. I was to take a trip up there this weekend but have to put it off till next weekend because of business. I want to buy something and move up there so bad I can taste it. I am looking around Liberty county. Have any thoughts about the Bristol area? Anyone?

Thanks for checking in!
Why Bristol/Liberty Co? It is a nice very rural area and probably doesnt have many job oportunities. Since it's rural you should be able to get a good price for land and/or a house.I live in a very rural part of Okaloosa Co, Crestview (pop 15000) is 14 mi. away and Ft Walton Beach (pop 34000) is 49 mi away. It's sometimes a pain to have to drive that distance for a Dr. or to shop but then you spend a nice quiet evening out on the deck watching the stars and listening to natures sounds and its worth it!
Maybe you're retireed and just want a quiet place to live, I can certainly understand about leaving the TB area, I dont care of big cities at all.

[allniter89]

Originally Posted by 2goldens

I love the Panama City Beach water. The last time I played, tiny white fishes were swimming around my legs nibbling on me, not hurting, just letting me know they were there. The water was so clear and see-through that I could watch the white fishes swimming around my legs.

Also, the Dolphins are super friendly. It's not advisable to feed the dolphins dead fish bait whereas they lose their Independence.

Oh yeah, the water is spectacular!! Either upclose, standing in it or from afar where you can see the different shades of blue/green/aqua/turqoise WOW, it still blows me away after 29yrs here.
Here in Ft Walton Beach, we have a high rise bridge that connects the mainland to a barrier island, and when you crest the bridge you have a spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico and the variiuous colors of the water WOW again!!!. The panhandle is just a great place to live, unfortunatly more people have found our little secret and its alot more crowded around here.

[allniter89]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

I've been trying to convince DH that we need to visit the panhandle, but he's not buying what I'm selling. He visited once when he was a kid and was bitten by a jellyfish. I told him jellyfish don't live 40 years, but he's not hearing me. The closest I've gotten was in Chipley for a night in the motorhome. Maybe you can tell us the finer points and I'll let him read it.

Jelly fish are really not a major problem here, I'd guess maybe there is a jelly fish invasion only a few days each year. But you should come up and see our beaches with the sugar white sand and very few sea-shells or debri to step on.
And the gulf waters up here are spectacular, many many shades of blue/green/turquoise depending on the depth of the water. The water is so clear you can see the bottom from 100ft depth I bet!
If you come in snowbird season, Oct-Feb? you will miss all the beach crowds, probably enjoy lower prices and enjoy air temps in the 60-70's and water temps in the same with lower humidity!
As a special one time offer, I will be your husbands jellyfish bodyguard for a low fee of just 3 easy payments of $9.99!
Seriously tho, cmon up and see us I guarantee you'll be back!

[allniter89]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

I just moved down here for good this time. I spent a few years down here back in the 90's, when I was younger and a whole lot dumber.

It amazes me how many things have changed here in the last 10 years.

This is the most beautiful water in the world, in my opinion. The beaches here are awesome, but I wish they'd push development away from the water, but what can you do.

Welcome back to Okaloosa County!! Yeah, the growth here has really gotten out of control but it appears to have peaked, I hope. I drove a 18 wheeler for the past 20 years (retired now) and pretty much lived on the road, and when I came home it was via I-10/FL 85. Earlier this year we went to Pensacola on 98, holy cow, I couldnot beleive how it was built up almost nonstop from FWB to Pcola and same thing east of Destin, it used to be country east of Sandestin but now it all commercialized And even Niceville is all built up waaay east of HWy 20. Oh well, we found Paradise first and natrually the word spred, I told everyone shhhh, keep it to yourself but nooooo

[BlueWillowPlate]

Allniter, there are plenty of Panhandle threads, just no Panhandle forum.
Threads like these probably don't help keep the secret.

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

This is the most beautiful water in the world, in my opinion.

I agree.
The only water that comes close is the Adriatic, but it lacks the sugar white sand.
Development in the NW has peaked *for now* but no doubt there will be a later resurgence.
Employment is a whole other topic; finding a good job is not easily done these days.

We arrived in Port St Joe a couple months after Rita, during Wilma which stayed south.
Our neighbor showed us the storm surge waterline on his shed from Rita (his house was on stilts and didn't get flooded.)
Gotta watch out for those storms.