Relocating

Northwest Florida

Spanning the area from Pensacola east almost to Tallahassee, northwest Florida is renowned for its stunning white sands and emerald waters. Many of the towns here preserve a distinctly Southern feel, while others offer modern amenities for visitors. An introduction to Northwest Florida follows.

 Crestview  In 1929, the Old Spanish Trail opened to enable the ultimate transcontinental road trip, connecting San Diego to St. Augustine by way of cities well- and less-known, including Crestview. Main Street throws various parties (a cruise-in car show, fall festival, barbecue and Veterans Day parade). A May Day Festival centers on Allen Park, established by the Okaloosa Negro Civic Club in the 1950s, and the Carver-Hill Museum, which chronicles the history of the local African-American community.

 Destin  The “world’s luckiest fishing village,” as the residents like to call it, was first established by New England fisherman Leonard Destin in the 1840s. What started out as a small fishing village has grown into a popular vacation destination. Visitors flock to its emerald-green waters, bright white sand beaches, upscale and outlet shopping complexes (the Silver Sands Factory Stores claims to be “the nation’s largest designer outlet center” based on number of designer-name stores), elegant restaurants, premier resorts and condo rentals. Fishing and seafood are still popular; Destin Fishing Rodeo and Destin Seafood Festival draw big crowds each October. 

Fort Walton Beach Not everyone knows that Fort Walton Beach hosts its own Mardi Gras. It’s a fun, Florida-style spin on the renowned revelry, but at its heart, this city’s all about the water. Ultra-green Gulf waves lap at blinding-white shores where dunes, resorts and water sports abound. The Boardwalk on nearby Okaloosa Island is a family-friendly attraction, and Florida’s Gulfarium lets you watch dolphin and sea lion shows and peer into large-scale aquariums. History gets serious at the Indian Temple Mound Museum downtown and at Eglin Air Force Base’s Air Force Armament Museum, where you can view vintage aircraft for free.

 Gulf Breeze  You can feed giraffes, view twin tamarinds and take in acre after acre of free-roaming animals along the Safari Line express at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Or, look for blue herons, brown pelicans and five-lined skinks inside the Naval Live Oaks Area (and headquarters) of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  

Marianna  On the surface, Marianna is all antiques and 19th-century relics. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, scene of the Civil War Battle of Marianna, still stands. Beneath the town, caverns (both water-filled and dry) invite exploration. Tours at Florida Caverns State Park reveal limestone stalactites and stalagmites – you also can camp and fish here, and the multi-use trails are popular with horseback riders, cyclists and walkers.

  Milton  Blackwater River State Forest reveals trails along its waterway and Juniper, Coldwater and Sweetwater creeks (watch for pitcher plant bogs). Also see the town’s 1912 Imogene Theater, Gothic Revival-style St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the West Florida Railroad Museum.

 Navarre  In a community this size, a handful of restaurants and long stretches of beach (12 miles, precisely) are all you need. Fishing and staging the quintessential day at the beach are top to-dos along these family-friendly shores.

Pensacola and Pensacola Beach  From sky to sea, there’s much to see here. Overhead, the Blue Angels practice from mid-March to mid-November (watch from the viewing area at the National Naval Aviation Museum). History dominates at street level. Take a guided tour of 19th-century homes and the 1832 Old Christ Church at Historic Pensacola Village, or stroll beneath the oaks to the wooden gazebo at Seville Square. There’s ample water sports activity and classic beach fun to be had along Quietwater Beach Boardwalk, but you can also access the hushed Gulf Islands National Seashore here. For divers, the world’s largest artificial reef, retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, lies just offshore.

Perdido Key  With Gulf Islands National Seashore and Perdido Key, Big Lagoon and Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Parks in proximity, Perdido Key protects some of the beach’s most fragile and magnificent assets: wispy sea oats, critical dunes and nesting birds and sea turtles. Enjoy hiking, crabbing and surf casting; fishing charters are always available. And, yes, Cajun-style steamed oysters, live music and an annual mullet toss can be found at the Flora-Bama Package and Lounge.

 Santa Rosa Beach  Inside Eden Gardens State Park, the Wesley House’s stately columns and wrap-around porch transport you to its turn-of-the-century heyday. Grandfatherly oaks and ornamental gardens decorate the grounds, and a notable collection of Louis XVI furniture accents the home’s interior. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Point Washington State Forest take you back to nature. Bike the paved roadway to the park’s beach and fishable dune lakes; go off-road cycling or hiking inside the 15,000-acre forest.

Common Questions About the Area

What is the Florida Panhandle? Florida is a warm retreat and relaxing escape for many people in the northern part of the country. With its sandy beaches and resorts, Florida attracts many who want to get away from everyday life. It also attracts thousands of college students every year for spring break. Florida has a few distinct areas and one of the more unique parts of Florida is its panhandle.

Where is the Florida Panhandle located? Florida’s panhandle is located at the northwest corner of the state. The thin part of Florida is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama and Georgia’s state line.  

What time zone is the Florida Panhandle located in? The Florida panhandle even has its own different time zone than the rest of the state. Areas west of the the Apalachicola River are on central standard time.  

What’s the brief history of the area? Following World War II tourism started booming in the panhandle. In the mid-1950s the area between Pensacola and Panama City was named The Miracle Strip after the rise of property values.

Why is the area sometimes referred to as the Emerald Coast? Locals call the panhandle the Emerald Coast because of its white sands, swamps, flora, bayous and sparkling green waters. 

What type of greenery grows in the Florida Panhandle? One unique feature of Florida’s panhandle is the greenery of the area. It not only has palm trees that are natural to Florida, but also magnolias, loblolly pines and live oaks like the rest of the southern states. 

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Northwest Florida

Milton  Blackwater River State Forest reveals trails along its waterway and Juniper, Coldwater and Sweetwater creeks (watch for pitcher plant bogs). Also see the town’s 1912 Imogene Theater, Gothic Revival-style St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the West Florida Railroad Museum.

Navarre  In a community this size, a handful of restaurants and long stretches of beach (12 miles, precisely) are all you need. Fishing and staging the quintessential day at the beach are top to-dos along these family-friendly shores.

Common Questions About the Area

Where is the Florida Panhandle located? Florida’s panhandle is located at the northwest corner of the state. The thin part of Florida is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama and Georgia’s state line.

What time zone is the Florida Panhandle located in? The Florida panhandle even has its own different time zone than the rest of the state. Areas west of the the Apalachicola River are on central standard time.

What’s the brief history of the area? Following World War II tourism started booming in the panhandle. In the mid-1950s the area between Pensacola and Panama City was named The Miracle Strip after the rise of property values.

Why is the area sometimes referred to as the Emerald Coast? Locals call the panhandle the Emerald Coast because of its white sands, swamps, flora, bayous and sparkling green waters.

What type of greenery grows in the Florida Panhandle? One unique feature of Florida’s panhandle is the greenery of the area. It not only has palm trees that are natural to Florida, but also magnolias, loblolly pines and live oaks like the rest of the southern states.

Helpful Links

Counties

http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/

School Boards

Other

Property Search

Download Phone/iPad app.

Mortgage Calculator

New Listing Announcements

Relocating

Northwest Florida

Milton Blackwater River State Forest reveals trails along its waterway and Juniper, Coldwater and Sweetwater creeks (watch for pitcher plant bogs). Also see the town’s 1912 Imogene Theater, Gothic Revival-style St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the West Florida Railroad Museum.

Navarre In a community this size, a handful of restaurants and long stretches of beach (12 miles, precisely) are all you need. Fishing and staging the quintessential day at the beach are top to-dos along these family-friendly shores.

Common Questions About the Area

Where is the Florida Panhandle located? Florida’s panhandle is located at the northwest corner of the state. The thin part of Florida is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama and Georgia’s state line.

What time zone is the Florida Panhandle located in? The Florida panhandle even has its own different time zone than the rest of the state. Areas west of the the Apalachicola River are on central standard time.

What’s the brief history of the area? Following World War II tourism started booming in the panhandle. In the mid-1950s the area between Pensacola and Panama City was named The Miracle Strip after the rise of property values.

Why is the area sometimes referred to as the Emerald Coast? Locals call the panhandle the Emerald Coast because of its white sands, swamps, flora, bayous and sparkling green waters.

What type of greenery grows in the Florida Panhandle? One unique feature of Florida’s panhandle is the greenery of the area. It not only has palm trees that are natural to Florida, but also magnolias, loblolly pines and live oaks like the rest of the southern states.

Helpful Links

Counties

http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/

School Boards

Other

Property Search

Download Phone/iPad app.

Mortgage Calculator

  Milton  Blackwater River State Forest reveals trails along its waterway and Juniper, Coldwater and Sweetwater creeks (watch for pitcher plant bogs). Also see the town’s 1912 Imogene Theater, Gothic Revival-style St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the West Florida Railroad Museum.

 Navarre  In a community this size, a handful of restaurants and long stretches of beach (12 miles, precisely) are all you need. Fishing and staging the quintessential day at the beach are top to-dos along these family-friendly shores.

Where is the Florida Panhandle located? Florida’s panhandle is located at the northwest corner of the state. The thin part of Florida is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama and Georgia’s state line.  

What time zone is the Florida Panhandle located in? The Florida panhandle even has its own different time zone than the rest of the state. Areas west of the the Apalachicola River are on central standard time.  

Why is the area sometimes referred to as the Emerald Coast? Locals call the panhandle the Emerald Coast because of its white sands, swamps, flora, bayous and sparkling green waters. 

What type of greenery grows in the Florida Panhandle? One unique feature of Florida’s panhandle is the greenery of the area. It not only has palm trees that are natural to Florida, but also magnolias, loblolly pines and live oaks like the rest of the southern states. 