Anyone live in the Pensacola area?

[etwahl]

Looks like we are most likely moving there for Evan's next job, probably arriving around August 1. Just wondering if anyone lives in the area and can give some advice?

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003

[parkersmama]

Pensacola is a nice area. I think you'll like it! We live about 4 hours north of there...through the Florida peninsula, up through Dothan, AL, and along the GA/AL state line to Columbus.

We used to vacation in P'cola a lot when I was growing up. It's very nice. A great beach! The city itself is nice, too. There's a lovely historical area. We often vacation in Gulf Shores, AL, and last summer we drove back through P'cola to take the boys to the naval base because they have a terrific Naval Aviation Museum there. It was loads of fun. The weather is nice there, too. Probably similar to what you're used to in SD but maybe a little cooler in the winters. Summers will be hot and humid especially as you get further away from the beach.

The only thing I know about P'cola that I consider a possible problem is that it's an extremely conservative town from what I hear. We have a friend at church who grew up there and she has talked some about some of the extremely conservative religious groups that have a stronghold there. I think there have been some abortion clinic bombings, etc, there with all the conservatives.

Sorry that I don't know more! It'll be nice having you on this coast! Maybe we can meet up some day either in Dothan or at the beach. :-)

[twins r fun]

I lived about an hour from Pensacola when I was growing up-in a town called Niceville (isn't that cutesy-the town motto was "Niceville, Nice town. Nice Folks. Have a nice day"!). The area in general is great(I don't specifically know Pensacola). Beautiful beaches and friendly people. Have you ever been to Panama City or Ft. Walton? They are big vacation spots nearby. Definitely hot summers! If you need any info I can ask my parents who know lots about the area. They still own a condo at Panama City Beach.

[etwahl]

Please do. I think we're considering Pace. Some of our friends have said that's where they're moving. I've never been anywhere in Florida, although DH lived there briefly.

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003

[twins r fun]

Tammy,

I just sent my parents an email. I should just make myself clear that they live in MD now, but do still visit their condo in FL. Knowing my Dad, he'll come up with an entire packet of information for you! I did remember one thing. The cost of living there is great! We had brand new beautiful 3 bedroom house (with tons of extras) in a gated community (with lots of pools, golf courses,etc) when we lived in Niceville. My parents sold it in the early 90's for $120,000. Granted, that was almost 15 years ago, but I know when we moved to the east coast we had to rent for like 3 years because we couldn't afford anything here. There was nothing that could be bought for that price and when we finally did get something it was a townhouse and still way more expensive than the house in FL.

Nicole

[etwahl]

Yes, it is much cheaper. a realtor just emailed me and said to also consider NE Pensacola. We don't want to spend more than $250K on a house (new or only a couple years old), but that's way cheaper than anything here in San Diego. Of course we get WAY less money living in Pensacola than in San Diego (part of military money is housing allowance based on the cost of living)

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003

[Rachels]

My dad is moving to Mobile, which isn't that far. I go down to visit! I'm dreaming of an easy get-together once you're in that neck of the woods!

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[josephsmom]

Tammy, do you live anywhere near the base where Evan is currently stationed? (I know he's overseas right now; I'm talking about the base where his command, squadron, or whatever is headquartered). If so, go to the Family Support Center. Or you can just call them. They have Relocation Specialists who can give you lots of information about your new home, and may even have leads on housing and/or refer you to realtors who are experienced in handling military transfers. They probably also have information to help you plan your move. If you get online and look for yellow pages listings for Pensacola, you will probably also find realtors who advertise that they are "military relocation specialists." FYI, the Fleet & Family Support Centers in my area have a workshop called "Parenting in the Military Family." Something like that might really help your family with the upcoming re-adjustment.

Helene (a navy wife)
mommy to Joseph 12/29/01