Northwest Florida

About

It’s true—we live where you vacation. This is where white sand beaches meet the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Luxe amenities like ocean front resorts, serene spa retreats, top golf courses, and all manner of shopping are at your fingertips. We’re not talking about a faraway resort, folks. We’re talking about the Northwest Florida Panhandle and the eight military installations that call it home.

The Emerald Coast stretches from Panama City to Pensacola for one hundred miles, and through five counties. Pristine beaches, pine forests, lakes, and waterways are the backdrop to the area’s military presence. The warm, deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico make sport-fishing a regional pastime, and watersports of all kinds are a way of life. The beaches are known for having a fine-textured sand, almost like confectioner’s sugar, that gleam brilliant white. It’s contrasted by the calm, deep turquoise waters that gently lap against the shore.

As one would expect, tourism is a thriving industry. Destin, Panama City, and Pensacola each draw millions of visitors during the summer. Golfing in the area is a big deal with a multitude of coastal resorts to choose from. Restaurants and shopping in the tourism centers cater to affluent tastes, but expect to find delectable, fresh seafood at almost any of the beachfront dives. Festivals, entertainment, and sporting events are easy enough to find, especially near the larger cities. The fact that it’s a coastal vacation destination certainly drives up home prices, but Florida does not have state income tax, and many establishments offer “local” and military discounts to residents.

The weather in the Panhandle is pretty balmy—by Florida standards. The Gulf of Mexico supplies a breeze that keeps most of the coastal areas a bit cooler in the summer and traps heat that radiates during the winter for above-average temps. If an outfit isn’t of the short-sleeved and sandal variety, you can go ahead and leave it in storage. There isn’t much need for winter gear—a hoodie can suffice. Hurricanes are, of course, something to be aware of but are relatively rare. Make sure you look into flood zones and whether or not you’ll need hurricane insurance (for most areas within 15 to 20 miles of the coast, you do). Also, be sure to keep sunscreen on hand at all times. The sun just seems hotter in Florida, and sunburns are no fun. It also reflects off the white sand on the beaches, amplifying its effect. Consider yourself warned!

The warm weather and tropical setting also breeds all sorts of critters. “Palmetto Bug” is the sophisticated moniker of the giant, flying cockroach found in the area and they are everywhere. Spiders, mosquitoes, and termites are also a fact of life. In swampy areas, these insects can even swarm and eat through walls! The smaller pest population is controlled by larger ones like snakes and lizards, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the ‘gators. Also, believe it or not, Northwest Florida even has bears.

Since most of the region is coastal, you would expect to see palm trees everywhere, but there are actually more pine and oak trees. Forested land begins almost immediately off the coast, most of which is still undeveloped. The Air Force owns most of the land in Okaloosa County (surrounding Eglin AFB) and maintains it for training.

Culturally, the region is incredibly laid back, hospitable to visitors and transplants, and fiercely patriotic. The economy of the region relies heavily on the military. Though we’re talking about Florida, most consider this region to be more “Lower Alabama” and deep south. God, guns, and country are core values in this conservative haven, and this is definitely part of the “Bible Belt.” Sundays are set aside for worship and family, so adjust your errands accordingly as many establishments close for the day. Many of the towns that draw military families have a super small-town vibe and are more “country” than “coastal.” It’s also closer to New Orleans than Orlando, so there is a heavy Cajun influence in the region.

The job market is a little stagnant for spouses and can be a point of frustration. It’s fairly easy to find entry level work, especially in the retail and hospitality industries, but anything beyond that is harder to come by. Government jobs on the installations provide some employment opportunities, and living closer to Pensacola can open up more options. Other than that, we’d say take a “sabbatical” and enjoy the beach! You do live in paradise, after all.