Contemplating relocation. Tell me what you know ...

[Myrina]

... about the Florida panhandle (Tallahassee, Ft Walton, Pensacola), Mobile ALA or Gulfport MS ....

I've looked at cost of living compared to where I am now, but need to know "what it's really like" to live there.

I'm mid 40's, a dog lady, like to do pretty low key artsy-nature stuff (books, films, plays, gardening, hiking) and will probably be transferring my current job down there with me (I do remote IT project management) so commute/job market etc isn't so much a concern as will I be safe, will there be "others like me" (progressive, empty-nesters). I've also noticed a TON of foreclosures on the market - hope that doesn't mean the area is going to blight. How are property taxes, utilities etc?

I'm just getting started on this & will plan a spring vacation to check it out in person, so I appreciate any input in advance!!

[NV Whino]

1. Think about hurricanes before you make the jump.

[Myrina]

8. I'm in tornado alley right now ...

it's always something ....

[OriginalGeek]

2. I may be biased but

I think it's a beautiful area. I was born in Tallahassee but moved away when I was a baby. However I remember visiting my grandparents there for many years of my youth.

I have no experience with being an adult there though.

Being an artsy-ish kind of guy myself I would love to have a studio/workshop/art room that had big-ass windows with a view of the panhandle pine trees and plenty of sunlight.

I suspect there is lots of red rural area but near Tallahassee (college town and state capital - FSU and FAMU) has some blue.

I believe DUer csziggy lives near there now so if y'all are friends here that would be awesome.

[mnhtnbb]

3. I have a friend who has lived in Tallahassee for probably 30 years.

They also have a beach house on St. George Island--across the bay from Apalachicola.
Another girlfriend and I visited her on St. George a couple years ago. They spend
weekends at the beach house all the time--particularly in the summer--in fact, when
she agreed to move with her hubby to Tallahassee she told him the only way she'd do
it was to have a beach house! They have an old place they've fixed up...and spent a lot
less on the 'in town' house in order to afford the beach house...but they've loved it for
almost 30 years.

I thought Apalachicola was a cute little town. Somewhat touristy, but low key.
My friend ran into friends on the street there. Might be big enough for some stuff
to do, but not like some of the larger towns. Probably a lot less expensive than St. George Island. It was about a 1 1/2 hour drive
from Tallahassee airport to St. George Island.

I can't tell you about average utilities, etc. but a local realtor could. I can tell you
that Florida is VERY hot/humid in the summer. We were there visiting in mid-June, and while it was
hot/humid, it was no worse than home here in NC.

[NightWatcher]

4. I dig Gulf Breeze/Navarre beach east of Pensacola

It's pretty laid back and I don't recall it costing an arm and a leg. Be wary of hurricanes, because Ivan did a number on it 10+ years ago.

[albino65]

5. Try Sperling

For anyone relocating I would suggest Sperling's bestplaces.net. It might not be the be-all and end-all of information, but it will give you information about climate, economy, crime rates, political climate, and cost of living. My wife and I consult it regularly when we get the bug to relocate. Since we live in Ohio, that bug comes often. (i.e. when the weather is yucky, or when the state and local republicans open their collective mouths.)

www.bestplaces.net

[magical thyme]

6. the bugs in Florida are the size of helicopters

also, you never know when your house may disappear into a sinkhole.

It is a nice place to visit in the winter, though.

[Myrina]

7. Indiana ain't no picnic, either ...

Ice storms, frack water, horrible air pollution, the KKK, and the Tea Party selling anyone and anything to private entities ...

[magical thyme]

39. which remineds me, Florida sold its water to Nestle...

just sayin'

oh, and ZIMMERMAN!!!!!!!

[csziggy]

9. Tallahassee is a liberal area - the rest of the Panhandle is red

I've lived in Tallahassee/Leon County since 1972 and love the area. With the universities, the arts community is active, several local galleries, arts communities, bookstores. Property taxes are higher in Leon than in surrounding counties, but the schools, roads and services are better because of that.

Lots of animal lovers, nature lovers, hiking opportunities. The former St. Marks Railroad is now a hiking/biking trail to the south. On the NE side, there is a greenway trail that borders Miccosukee Road. Lots of parks, museums, and places to visit.

NE and east is the more upscale side of town, in the Red Hills, higher land and better soil. South of town is sandy soil, lower land and concerns about drainage into the sinkhole system. West is the Apalachicola National Forest, more rural, more redneck. North and Northwest is low land, river and lakes.

Leon County is far enough from the coast that hurricanes lose much of their punch by the time they get here. The most problems are from flooding, so check drainage when you're looking at property.

Since you're in IT - also check where you can get broadband. Coverage is still spotty in the rural parts of the county. We're on the NE side and have fiber optic cables running in front of the farm. The main box is on the corner and we get good broadband even here in the "country". Some areas nearby can't get as much bandwidth because they are too far from the cables or boxes. I haven't kept up with how provision is in town - they may have better coverage. Check with Centurylink for their coverage.

Spring is the best time of year here - though check when the Legislature is in session since motel rooms can be tight. Everything will be turning green and blooming though the plantations burn off their underbrush and it can be smokey. Summers are hot and humid, fall is nice but the bugs can linger on. Winters are definite enough to appreciate, but the cold weather does not tend to linger. This week we had two nights of 20-22 F freezing, one day with a high of 37 F and today it's in the 60s and rainy.

If you have allergies, Tallahassee and the Big Bend is NOT a good place to be. The pollen count tends to be high and the plant variety gives lots of things to react to. I live on Zyrtec year round.

PM me when you're coming to town - maybe we can meet up.

[Myrina]

11. Thanks - will do!

Appreciate the info!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. trof lives in that area ... LA ... Lower Alabama.

Used to vacation at Panama as a child. Good memories. Good luck, Myrina - whatever you choose.

[Brother Buzz]

12. If you travel throught the panhandle and see Karl Rove, flip him the bird for me

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Rosemary_Beach_Karl_Roves_next_move_0328.html

[RebelOne]

13. North Georgia just outside of Atlanta is the place to go.

I moved up here to get away from South Florida and its bugs, heat, crime and high prices. And I had lived down there much of my life, but I will never go back.

[Myrina]

14. What do you mean by 'North Georgia'?

Any particular area more hospitable to liberal northern white chicks than others?

I'm not interested in central/south Florida because I have a feeling it's going to be mostly underwater, sooner than later.
However, I admit I AM interested also in the Carolinas but have this weird phobia that without a southern accent, life would be difficult.

[NV Whino]

16. I spent some time in North Georgia

Helen, GA to be exact. Not a liberal place, Too many bugs and too much humidity for my taste. However, gorgeous country and lots of beautiful birds, which are probably there because of all the bugs. Oh yeah, there are also the water moccasins and cottonmouths.

I'll take the diamond backs we have in CA. They give a little warning.

[RebelOne]

23. There are less bugs here in Georgia than there were in South Florida.

South Florida had plenty of water moccasins, cottonmouths and rattlers, fortunately I never saw any. Nor have I seen any here in Georgia.

[NV Whino]

24. Worse than the water moccasins was the fact that the coat hangers rusted in the humidity.

And my shoes mildewed. I don't do well in humidity. The birds, though, they're what turned me into a bird watcher.

[RebelOne]

22. Anything north of Atlanta is considered North Georgia.

And I have not met many people here with a Southern accent. Most are from other states. And I do not have Southern accent as I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Miami, but never lost my Northern accent.

[raccoon]

32. Come to upstate SC. Relatively low cost of living, and we need progressives. nt

[begin_within]

15. Hot and humid!

I was born in Pensacola. I would only move to that area if you like heat and humidity. Have you considered northern California?

[Myrina]

17. No -- too expensive, and going to be radioactive in the near future ...

... every place has it's negatives.

[KamaAina]

18. NOLA is just west of Gulfport

A dog lady who's artsy sounds like a good candidate for the Mid-City neighborhood.

Many, many more progressives than in anywhere else you mentioned.

[Myrina]

19. NOLA's out of the question.

Not fond of drowning in a Katrina surge.

[KamaAina]

20. They did rebuild the levees, you know

also post-K New Orleanians bug out any time even a Cat 1 heads for them.

[Myrina]

21. I'm really phobic about water/drowning ...

Silly, I know.

[nolabear]

28. Not all of NOLA is in the bowl. It's well worth a look.

I posted about the coast further down but if you can go to New Orleans, go. It's heaven. And no matter where you go down there you'll learn to run like holy hell when a big hurricane is headed your way. You won't drown if you can and do leave. It IS a fact of life all along the coast, though.

And as others have said, those palmetto bugs are killers. Oh, and if you love hiking out in the woods...forget it. Shit will EAT you out there.

[SkatmanRoth]

25. Check out Graton Beach on 30A

http://30a.com/grayton-beach/

There is a length of highway 30A West of where I live that has lots of Art Galleries and they host concerts during the summer.

Grayton Beach
Seaside
Rosemary Beach

It is a bit of a drive to any shopping. Nearest malls are in Mary Ester, Pensacola, and Panama City.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

36. Santa Rosa beach is also on this stretch...

nice little area... and not too far from Destin...

sP

[OmahaBlueDog]

26. Look at the cost of homeowners insurance if you are buying property

Windstorm insurance in Florida is a fortune, and has a high deductible.

If you are in a rental situation, talk to an agent about getting coverage for possessions that could be damaged in a storm, as well as temporary displacement.

That part of Florida has a lot to offer, but be mindful that the folks in that part of the state are much like folks in Georia or Alabama. This is not the Florida Keys in a political sense.

Nevertheless, if I return to Florida, this is an area I'd strongly consider, along with the "Space Coast" (Melbourne Beach, Merit Island, etc. )

[Myrina]

29. Good info, thanks!

[nolabear]

27. I grew up near Gulfport. Look into Ocean Springs instead.

Gulfport's not bad, but Ocean Springs, just to the east, has a considerably nicer arts scene. It's also not quite as plastered to the coast so hurricanes (and there WILL be hurricanes) aren't as likely to blow or flood you out. I have a sister there and I know it well. Check out The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs (he has long been one of my favorite artists and lived there all his life) and the George Ohr Museum in Biloxi.

There are more progressives than DU would have you expect. But it is the South and you need to know there are plenty of blue collar conservatives. Fishing, shipbuilding, military, tourism and all kinds of water culture are the major influences. New Orleans isn't far away and it's heaven as far as I'm concerned. If you're in GUlfport or Biloxi you're going to see a whole lot of casinos, since they've become big moneymakers there. The beaches are not fabulous, but they can be nice. Florida is definitely better for that, though.

I don't think it's going to blight. The area actually has a lot going for it, and you're right that the cost of living is very, very low, the people are laid back, there's always a reason for a party and the food is unbelievable. I've thought about doing it myself when and if.

[Myrina]

30. Will look into this also

Thanks!

[Zorro]

31. I used to call Panama City home

It gets hot as a firecracker during the summer, with the most ferocious thunderstorms you will ever encounter cooling things down in the afternoon -- they can be quite awe-inspiring and spectacular. It can also get damn cold in the winter -- 35 degrees in Florida feels a lot colder than 35 degrees in Indianapolis. Lots of Canadian snowbirds winter there.

Utility costs are relatively high from running the A/C half a year. It stays very humid during the summer months, and the glasses/sunglasses you're wearing will immediately fog over when you leave the house for your car to go somewhere.

Panhandle beaches truly are the most beautiful in the world; think fine white sand, with the waves breaking along the beach a shimmering emerald color. Summer water temps get over 80 degrees, so there's no shock getting into the water; it's almost bathwater warm.

The Panhandle backcountry is also quite scenic. Lots of piney woods and pleasant 2 lane highways (pleasant except when one is behind a logging truck). Also lots of swampy ground and fresh water springs (Wakulla is a wonder). The Apalachicola River/Dead Lakes area is the original home of tupelo honey. Plenty of live oaks with Spanish moss everywhere.

One gets close to nature in the Panhandle, because nature comes in to visit you in your living room. Florida cockroaches (they call them Palmetto bugs there) get a couple of inches long, and they fly. Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads are common, so one would need to keep an eye out when walking the dog.

There are nascent artsy areas in a few of the larger towns around the Panhandle. The territory between Pensacola and Panama City is a favorite of military retirees, having been attracted to the area after being stationed at one of the AF or Navy installations along the coast. The Panhandle is also home to lots of good ol' boys that like their huntin' and fishin', along with significant numbers of Republican rednecks; Rmoney carried the area quite handily in 2012.

Very decent colleges in the area (University of West Florida is built within a nature preserve), with Auburn and Florida State being the ones most college sports-minded locals follow. And follow passionately.

Real estate is all dependent on where you want to reside. Beach property is very expensive, but most towns have pretty reasonably priced neighborhoods. Home insurance isn't cheap, but it can be less expensive if one passes a wind mitigation inspection. Live close to the coast and you'll pay a higher premium because of the hurricane threat.

There are no state income taxes, but property taxes are relatively higher as a percentage of assessed value than other states (including, surprisingly, California). Many newer homes (built ~2004-2005) have a Chinese drywall problem, so that's something you'd need to check out if you're thinking about buying.

I really like Florida, although it's distressing that Republicans control state government. But it still beats Indiana, IMHO -- I also lived there for a few years, too.

[Myrina]

35. +1 brazillion, thank you.

I appreciate the well thought out assessment & will take all your points into consideration.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

40. One of my ex-military relatives retired to Fort Walton Beach

Right-wing doesn't begin to describe him.

I'd stay away from any place he found congenial.

[Kaleva]

33. Interesting thread. I've been thinking (dreaming) about moving down to that area for some time.

But upstate South Carolina, as mentioned in this thread, looks like a real possibility too.

[JCMach1]

34. Florida Panhadle= Redneck Riviera... also lots and lots of fundies

If you are looking for North Florida, check the Tallahassee and Gainesville areas... they are solidly blue islands in the red North of the state.

[KG]

37. lived in Tally in 80's, was underwhelmed. I really dig Gulfport, tho.

Gulport, FL

[FatBuddy]

38. Florabama?

Nothing unusual except for your typical southern lifeways: laziness ethic; plantation mentality; plenty of christian fundamentalism.

You'll find plenty of decent, kind people though, pockets of progressive types (usually in college towns), and pretty decent seafood.

[Kermitt Gribble]

41. Maybe consider St Pete

I haven't been to the panhandle but it seems very red other than Gainesville and Tallahassee.

I moved to St Pete from PA 6.5 years ago and like it a lot. Lots of artsy stuff (galleries, festivals, etc) and it's very pet friendly. IT jobs are somewhat plentiful here, as well. Not sure about hiking, other than paved trails, but Tampa has a few mountain biking trails - plus the Nature Coast is only an hour away.

[yuiyoshida]

42. I have been seriously considering SAIPAN...

But I love San Francisco too much. Japantown here is wonderful. Just being there makes me feel like I am truly home. Besides...I heard popcorn is ungodly expensive in Saipan!