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Message
re: Possible relocation to Destin, FL area
Posted on 7/2/23 at 7:16 am to lsusteve1
Posted on 7/2/23 at 7:16 am to lsusteve1
I would be concerned about being surrounded by Airbnb units if living in a beachfront condo or neighborhood. If you are looking for a stable neighborhood with real neighbors to have a social life, you might be better off living inland a bit. You won't have to worry about rowdy teens on spring break, loud music, etc.
Maybe there are places that don't allow rental units, but you will still be bogged down with seasonal traffic.
You can still enjoy the beach if you live within 30 minutes, but you separate yourself from all the traffic and touristy stuff - live a quiet and "normal" life. Living further from the beach also puts you closer to I-10 for travel for work and back home.
I'm in Florida, but not the panhandle, but I think this applies even more so in the panhandle.
Maybe there are places that don't allow rental units, but you will still be bogged down with seasonal traffic.
You can still enjoy the beach if you live within 30 minutes, but you separate yourself from all the traffic and touristy stuff - live a quiet and "normal" life. Living further from the beach also puts you closer to I-10 for travel for work and back home.
I'm in Florida, but not the panhandle, but I think this applies even more so in the panhandle.
0
Posted on 7/2/23 at 1:49 pm to lsusteve1
I’ve always wanted to have a place in the Shalamar/Niceville area. Somewhere on the water. You can take a boat around the bay and to the beaches/crab island.
If not there, I’d first look in the 30A area between Destin and Panama City. If you can afford anywhere in that area, that would be my first pick.
If not there, I’d first look in the 30A area between Destin and Panama City. If you can afford anywhere in that area, that would be my first pick.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 7:16 pm to lsusteve1
I lived there for 10 years. After the 1st year I was ready to get out of that place. I’m a big city type guy and I just missed big city things like pro sports games, concerts, etc.
It was just a very boring place to live. Believe it or not, the beach gets old (at least for me it did)
One thing that really bothered me about living there was that none of the restaurants give a flying frick if you are a local and have been going supporting a restaurant- if there is a 2-3 hour wait - you’re waiting.
The shopping there sucks.
Traffic
The list goes on.
Destin is a wonderful place to visit but living there was absolutely miserable.
Horrible work force of you own a business. Possibly the worst work force in America because workers cannot afford to live in Destin proper.
Someone mentioned to live in Tampa and drive to Destin - I 1000000000000% agree doing just that.
Destin is so overpriced. You don’t get much house for what you pay for and the tourists have took over the city. Locals are moving out by the boatloads. I know at least 100 people during my 10 years there that left and never went back.
Also, condo living fricking sucks arse. HOA fees are through the roof with many many many unexpected new bills that have to be divided up between owners. New roof $200k divided units… new elevator $150k divided by units… new sea wall on the harbor $1.2 million divided by units.. new Pavement for parking lot $50k divided by units
Horrible fricking airport - very expensive flights.. very few direct flights… ugghh, what a ducking nightmare living there
So fricking glad to be out of that money pit.
It was just a very boring place to live. Believe it or not, the beach gets old (at least for me it did)
One thing that really bothered me about living there was that none of the restaurants give a flying frick if you are a local and have been going supporting a restaurant- if there is a 2-3 hour wait - you’re waiting.
The shopping there sucks.
Traffic
The list goes on.
Destin is a wonderful place to visit but living there was absolutely miserable.
Horrible work force of you own a business. Possibly the worst work force in America because workers cannot afford to live in Destin proper.
Someone mentioned to live in Tampa and drive to Destin - I 1000000000000% agree doing just that.
Destin is so overpriced. You don’t get much house for what you pay for and the tourists have took over the city. Locals are moving out by the boatloads. I know at least 100 people during my 10 years there that left and never went back.
Also, condo living fricking sucks arse. HOA fees are through the roof with many many many unexpected new bills that have to be divided up between owners. New roof $200k divided units… new elevator $150k divided by units… new sea wall on the harbor $1.2 million divided by units.. new Pavement for parking lot $50k divided by units
Horrible fricking airport - very expensive flights.. very few direct flights… ugghh, what a ducking nightmare living there
So fricking glad to be out of that money pit.
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 10:42 pm
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:19 pm to Pepperoni
Love the Apalachicola area, but there are some serious drawbacks to trying to live there full time.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:29 pm to FLTech
quote:
Locals are moving out by the boatloads.
That’s has actually changed over the past 5 years. There are more permanent residents here now than ever before.
Sure, you’re going to have to deal with tourists, but they come here for a reason. Many of those reasons is why people choose to live here.
As for the restaurants, every place we frequent has had a good retention of bar tenders and managers. Sure, the wait staff comes and goes but that’s everywhere in the industry.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 10:37 pm to SippyCup
When I have to be up for work at 5:30am as a local and tourists are on their no time, it’s a pain in the arse. If you are a local you should get some type of local wait or something.
Sure, the tourists help the town but as a local resident, it sucked. That’s why I said it was a great place to visit, but living there sucked.
I don’t get special treatment where I live at now because if there is a restaurant that is on a 2 hour wait I will just go to another restaurant because there are tons of options. In Destin, you can’t go to another restaurant because there aren’t many and they are all on the same wait time as the others with tourists.
Oh and when it rains and everybody is off the beach - forget about it. Your entire day as a local is done. You can’t get anything done because of all of the tourists off the beach and onto the roads, shops, restaurants, etc etc etc.
The OP wanted an opinion of Destin and that’s my opinion. I’m not trying to dog the place because I love destin and I love it even more since I don’t live there permanently. I don’t have to worry about fighting the tourist crowds, etc because I’m on my time and not work time when I do visit there.
Have you seen the water park (Big Kahunas) on 98? It’s an embarrassment.
Sure, the tourists help the town but as a local resident, it sucked. That’s why I said it was a great place to visit, but living there sucked.
I don’t get special treatment where I live at now because if there is a restaurant that is on a 2 hour wait I will just go to another restaurant because there are tons of options. In Destin, you can’t go to another restaurant because there aren’t many and they are all on the same wait time as the others with tourists.
Oh and when it rains and everybody is off the beach - forget about it. Your entire day as a local is done. You can’t get anything done because of all of the tourists off the beach and onto the roads, shops, restaurants, etc etc etc.
The OP wanted an opinion of Destin and that’s my opinion. I’m not trying to dog the place because I love destin and I love it even more since I don’t live there permanently. I don’t have to worry about fighting the tourist crowds, etc because I’m on my time and not work time when I do visit there.
Have you seen the water park (Big Kahunas) on 98? It’s an embarrassment.
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 11:04 pm
Posted on 7/3/23 at 7:30 am to SloaneRanger
quote:I agree with you: it is remote, driving to Tampa or even Tallahassee is nice the first 2 or 3 times but would get old quickly. However, it is that remoteness that makes it a positive for some. That’s why I suggested renting. At the worst they commit to a year rental. The OP also has no (public school) age children so no concern about that.
Love the Apalachicola area, but there are some serious drawbacks to trying to live there full time.
Posted on 7/4/23 at 11:00 am to lsusteve1
quote:
Leaning towards renting 1st year & budget would probably be $300k or less.
Rents around here are through the roof due to the military COL going up, anywhere decent or cool you have two young military guys or 3 sharing a place and they get $1000/ month or more for housing.
But I'd look in FWB for an apt on the water. You may be able to find a good deal, I'm not sure of FWB right now. But that FWB to Destin traffic is legit crap right now and will be until they put in the new bridge which is many years away.
Beyond that you are looking at Freeport and commuting to Destin across the 331 bridge.
I personally hate the Navarre area the traffic is horrible for a small town but you are closer to the beach and within a crappy drive to Destin.
Otherwise you can look in Niceville/ Blue water bay for sure. Great area but housing is nuts there right now also and its very a locals place and not "hip" for outsiders. Great for kids but that doesn't apply here.
To be honest, I don't know how often you are in Destin but you may also look HARD at some areas of Panama City and Panama City Beach. The drive to Miramar Beach can be 45 mins with no traffic.
ETA: The reason I say how often, is if you are in sales or something and visiting clients and you can work 2-3 long days out and then a day or 2 at home or whatever and stretch that commute to 45 to 60 that opens up some options. There's almost no traffic in the morning ever, but that traffic in the afternoon will be terrible during the peak tourist times.
This post was edited on 7/4/23 at 11:12 am
Posted on 7/4/23 at 6:36 pm to lsusteve1
Don't come to Navarre, we are full.
Hammack Bay is large development between Niceville and Freeport. Not sure if they permit house rental.
Freeport area is apparently growing - not sure on prices though.
Hammack Bay is large development between Niceville and Freeport. Not sure if they permit house rental.
Freeport area is apparently growing - not sure on prices though.
Posted on 7/8/23 at 7:41 pm to TigersnJeeps
Thanks to all for the info
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