Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach? (West Pensacola, Brownsville: real estate, rentals, homes)

[nc2kc]

Hello, I've been searching the forums for awhile looking at all the advice provided, but notice that a lot of the threads started a few years ago. I'm hoping to get some current information. My husband and I are relocating to the Panhandle area; I have the option of working from Fort Walton Beach, FL or Foley, AL.

1st question - which area is best for a couple in their early 40's and no children. We are looking for a laid-back lifestyle and picture finding some wonderful hole in the wall places to eat seafood and listen to music...Just a few things we are looking forward to.

2nd question - If Foley, AL is where I choose to work, then we would want to live in Pensacola - I'm thinking, based on the map, somewhere in the 32506 or 32507 zip codes. Are these good areas to live?

It seems looking at zillow.com there are more homes to rent in the Pensacola zip codes I mentioned, versus Fort Walton Beach.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

[beachmouse]

You'll find the laid back life with seafood and music in any of the areas you're looking for. Ft. Walton Beach is more affluent, surprisingly highly educated, and safer than Pensacola, but was essentially entirely built during and after WW2, and lacks the charm of downtown Pensacola and its older neighborhoods (East Hill, North Hill, etc.). The tight rental market in FWB comes from a surprisingly low number of rental options given the high demand for rentals from people who are only going to be at Eglin AFB for 1-4 years and who don't want to buy.

Food scene, I'd give FWB/Destin a clear win. Many good dives, and some higher end (but reasonably priced by big city standards) more creative/innovative options for the high dollar resort crowd just east of there.

[southernnaturelover]

If you work in Foley, why in the world would you choose to live in Pensacola? The eastern shore of Baldwin County, AL is much nicer than Pensacola.

[nc2kc]

Thanks beachmouse and southernnaturelover for your responses.

I was thinking the western part of Pensacola, so I would be close to Foley, and my husband has a better opportunity of finding a job.

It sounds like we can't go wrong with either location, but I will also check out the eastern shores of Baldwin County.

[southernnaturelover]

West Pensacola aka 'Brownsville' can be pretty rough. My advice is to look in Spanish Fort or Daphne over in Baldwin County, that would provide an easy commute for you to Foley, and your husband could commute to Mobile if he had to.

[nc2kc]

Thanks for that advice!

[floridabum]

Both areas are laid back, and both offer great rental choices. If your more concerned about work, than the beach, then Pensacola is a great bet. They have Pensacola beach right there, and the city is full of life. If your more into what your going to be doing after work, then Fort Walton is the place to be. Your going to be close to all the beaches, the $$$, and plenty of shopping and dinning. Either place is going to be expensive to live, due to the large population of tourists. No matter if your going to choose Pensacola real estate or Fort Walton Beach real estate, welcome to the area!!! Enjoy the beaches!