Living in SoWal/Realtor?

[Beachgirl]

After living in many places, my hubby and I moved here a few years ago and live in Fort Walton. We love many things about the area, such as the pace of life, natural beauty, and friendliness of the people. However, we've discovered that we're not exactly in sync with the VERY conservative majority, and therefore don't exactly feel like we've found our home. We're accustomed to diversity and aren't looking for homogeneity, but a tad more open-mindedness would be a welcome change. We always enjoy visiting 30-A, so are considering moving there. Could I get some feedback about what it's like to live there full-time, not only socially, but also the realities of living there during peak tourist season?

Assuming we move forward, I'd appreciate any realtor recommendations. Like everybody else, we'd like to work with someone that is experienced, knows/lives in the area, and is savvy about investment angles, legal issues, home construction types, financing, etc.

Thanks -- I always enjoy the candid advice and good humor of this board, so bring it on! And Happy Holidays!

 

[SHELLY]

From an old-timers perspective, this area has changed SOOO much in just the last 5-7 years. It used to be a string of laissefare communities and wide-open welcoming beaches. It's evolving into clusters of South Beach Mini-me's and restricted beaches with gun-for-hire "Dry Sand Gestapo."

-- But if you're only concerned about politics, then there are no worries...they don't play politics in these here parts

/Sarcasm Off

 

[full time]

Back in the good ole days, you could drive.........across the bay to school in Freeport, to Destin for groceries and to Ft. Walton or Panama City for a hospital. Yep, good times. Now, you have Publix within walking or biking distance, schools in historic Point Washington and Seaside and a brand new, growing hospital at the foot of 30A. When you add those things to the beaches and communities along 30A, you can imagine how bad it sucks to live here. I hate it. But you should probably just ignore me and Shelly - we're old and very bitter about life ... soul mates ya know. Talk to Bobby for a more positive viewpoint - he'll be along soon.

 

[Matt J]

I'm glad I kept reading the post, I thought you meant 30A was conservative. The whole area is incredibly welcoming and friendly. There is plenty to do whether you are a go getter or just prefer to lay back and let you butt widen. Tourist season can be a little daunting at times, but it could be alot worse. Ironically probably most of the people on SoWal were or are tourists to the area. Put up a for sale sign and move on over.

 

[scooterbug44]

I have also found the panhandle to be MUCH more conservative and homogenous than other places I have lived, but 30A is a little more relaxed. What it lacks in ethnic diversity it makes up in local characters. It all depends on who you know and hang out with. You'll still hear attitudes and opinions that will make your jaw drop if you are used to a big city or more liberal area though.

Peak tourist season just means it is much more crowded and there is more traffic. You learn to avoid the tourist places, not go to the grocery at a certain time, and allow more time to get places. Compared to Destin or rush hour in a big city it's a cakewalk.

 

[Jdarg]

I have also found the panhandle to be MUCH more conservative and homogenous than other places I have lived, but 30A is a little more relaxed. What it lacks in ethnic diversity it makes up in local characters. It all depends on who you know and hang out with. You'll still hear attitudes and opinions that will make your jaw drop if you are used to a big city or more liberal area though.

Peak tourist season just means it is much more crowded and there is more traffic. You learn to avoid the tourist places, not go to the grocery at a certain time, and allow more time to get places. Compared to Destin or rush hour in a big city it's a cakewalk.

I'm still getting used to some of the stuff I see and hear around here! The kid sporting the rebel flag trucker hat at the high school last night was hilarious! I think he was at the high school b-ball game supporting the opposing team.

Thankfully, we have met many wonderful people here. The full time residents of the immediate 30-A area seem very open-minded, educated, progressive, interesting, positive, and warm. I think you would love it here!

 

[Paula]

Given the seasonal nature of 30A, I think it would have somethings in common with living in a college town. In our town, we have 30,000 students who join the town in September and leave in April. So, we just adjust our schedules around busy times like football games, student entering school week, etc. But if it wasn't for the students, we wouldn't have such wonderful things to do in our town - restaurants, concerts, shops - great tutors for our kids. In it's own way, 30A is similar because the influx of people is seasonal. It also depends on where you live along 30A. Some places will be more "touristy" than others during the summer months (which is only about 2.5 months), though that also means those areas will have more things like restaurants, shops, etc. within an easy walking distance. So, do your research about the little towns, stay overnight a few nights off-season in different areas along 30A to see what the area is like, and then visit 30A during peak season (again, go to different beach towns because they really are different during peak season). What's similar is probably the traffic along 98 and 30 in peak season - can't avoid that.

 

[TreeFrog]

A few random thoughts:

-I like it when the neighboring rental houses fill up in the peak season. Everybody's happy to be on vacation at the beach. There's a nice positive vibe that spills into the neighborhood that you don't get in a normal town.
-I like it when they're gone, too. It's quiet. It's dark at night. You can see stars.
-Publix arriving on 395 has changed our life. But I miss having a bar, a bookstore, a Chinese restaurant, and Home Depot all within 1 mile of my house, like I had in Memphis.
-Most of the locals are here because they don't want to live in a "normal" town. So we're all a little bent, in some way or another. But we're generally pretty happy to be bent.

 

[savvytangerine]

Beachgirl. I have lived here my entire life. Somethings are still a little tough to get use to, but it is also nice to have many things closer (like Publix, hospital, schools, etc, etc).

Although not as diverse as a lot of places in this world we (as a group) tend to be pretty open.

And like anywhere there are some people that are more welcoming than others...

Season can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but like others said, you quickly learn what is best "not" to do.

We also have some beautiful state parks in the area that are a grayt escape during season.

Please ask any questions -- I'm sure we have heard them all.

 

[savvytangerine]

A few random thoughts:

-I like it when the neighboring rental houses fill up in the peak season. Everybody's happy to be on vacation at the beach. There's a nice positive vibe that spills into the neighborhood that you don't get in a normal town.
-I like it when they're gone, too. It's quiet. It's dark at night. You can see stars.
-Publix arriving on 395 has changed our life. But I miss having a bar, a bookstore, a Chinese restaurant, and Home Depot all within 1 mile of my house, like I had in Memphis.
-Most of the locals are here because they don't want to live in a "normal" town. So we're all a little bent, in some way or another. But we're generally pretty happy to bent.

Can I steal this as my sig line?