Fort Walton (Wright, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview: 2013, insurance, crime)

[Floridabound2013]

We are moving from Pittsburgh for a job in Crestview but would like to be closer to the water. We have found a place on Wright Parkway in Fort Walton and am wondering if this is a safe area since we do have a child? If not could you recommend any safe areas closer to the water?

[beachmouse]

It's a pretty average neighborhood- generally decent but not awe-inspiring for the most part, as are the streets near it from what I remember of the area. Wright Parkway proper can be a bit on the busy side. One of my coworkers was sending her son to Edwins Elementary school and Ft. Walton Beach HS just down the way there, and was generally happy with both of those schools.

I'll note that both Ft. Walton Beach and even the west side of generally affluent Destin can be a bit hit or miss- very nice areas literally two streets or one ravine over from places that are a lot sketchier. (The Wright Parkway area, for all that it's generally pretty middle to working class is relatively far from an outright ghetto by local standards) Shalimar is a little more consistent, as is much of the newer parts of Niceville.

I'll say up front that housing costs here can be surprisingly high for an area this size if you're going to go south of Eglin AFB, and they'll get you again with homeowner's or renter's insurance. But that despite this, a lot of people feel the tradeoffs are worth it to live closer to the Gulf and touristy amenities.

[Floridabound2013]

Great thank you, we are trying to decide between that area and Crestview.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Floridabound2013

Great thank you, we are trying to decide between that area and Crestview.

You might also want to read [URL="http://www.city-data.com/forum/florida/1631613-moving-niceville-fl-kids.html"]this thread.[/URL] I am unfamiliar with that area, so I don't know if the poster was joking about the bombing range, but I understand people who are sensitive to airplane noise should be cautious.

[beachmouse]

It's a very active military area, so you do get a fair amount of noise related to training missions around here, especially since some draw downs in the Middle East have sent more troops home for long periods of time.

And they're finally starting to get some of the F-35s in regular use for training purposes, and as promised, they're definitely louder than previous generations of fighter jets.

[JCFrench]

I've lived in the Fort Walton Beach area since 1961; grew up blocks from Wright parkway on Watson Drive; Wright Parkway is generally "OK"; very centrally located; mix of town homes, decent single family houses (most built in the 70's); several schools within walking distance: Fort Walton Beach High school on the South end, Bruner Middle School on Holmes Ave. (an adjoining street), a special ed. school (Siver Sands), and Annett P. Edwins primary across from the high school; all good schools; it's an older area of Fort Walton and you have a mix of nice families who have lived in the area for years and maintain their homes and some other elements (ex.: there was recently a meth lab bust at 204 Wright Pkwy., though I know this can happen anywhere) I will say I would not be afraid to walk down the street there if that tells you anything; it is a bit of a thoroughfare, as it is a long straight road that connects Hwy. 98 and Mary Esther Blvd. Overall OK; I would not recommend Crestview; seems like crime has exploded up there based on reading the local newspaper "the Northwest Florida Daily News" (nwfdailynews.com) crime posts every day from Cretview; hope this helps!

[m1a1mg]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

I'll note that both Ft. Walton Beach and even the west side of generally affluent Destin can be a bit hit or miss- very nice areas literally two streets or one ravine over from places that are a lot sketchier.

We just returned from a visit last week. The western end of Destin isn't looking so good these days.