Need Help from Florida Tiki Central Members - Beyond Tiki

A AlohaStation Tiki Socialite So FL Joined: Sep 27, 2004 Posts: 2434	A AlohaStation Posted posted on Wed, Aug 3, 2005 8:18 AM At this point, I am starting to lean toward St. Augustine for an east coast possible, but admit to having a real fondness for the west coast and even the panhandle (but admit that I don’t know very much about those areas). I am a lifelong resident of the STATE of Florida, having lived in Pensacola, Destin/Ft Walton, Panama City Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Clearwater, Deerfield Beach and Miami. I love this state - most of my vacations are spent here in one place or another. I grew up in the Panhandle and can tell you that is has some of the most beautiful beaches in the WORLD. White sand, emerald green water and a southern attitude. The area is EXPLODING with tourism - PCB has something like 33 hi-rises currently being built on the beaches. All of the sleepy little hotels are being bought up in a real estate frenzy. But get away from the beaches and all the towns are the same - small towns with great people. Its a tough place to make a living (doing what I do), that's why I live in South Florida. Some day I may move back. There are a million things to do and see. Art and culture - maybe, depending on your standards(remember this is the Bible Belt). Real estate is still affordable (off the beaches). The deal with the Panhandle is that St. Joe paper company ownes a lot of the land up there and due to the "paperless society" they don't need the land any more. So, Arvida/St. Joe (who helped develop S.FL) is moving in and starting to develop some of their land and build an International airport in PCB. There is also a LARGE military presence: 2 large AirForce bases (Tyndall and Eglin), 2 Navy bases (Pensacola and PCB), and countless smaller stations and bases throughout the Panhandle. Tourism is the #1 industry there. My advice is to look at the Panhandle as an alternative. Most people that live in Florida have never been there because it is somewhat isolated. Definately worth the trip. The 3 largest cities are Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee.

At this point, I am starting to lean toward St. Augustine for an east coast possible, but admit to having a real fondness for the west coast and even the panhandle (but admit that I don’t know very much about those areas).

I am a lifelong resident of the STATE of Florida, having lived in Pensacola, Destin/Ft Walton, Panama City Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Clearwater, Deerfield Beach and Miami. I love this state - most of my vacations are spent here in one place or another.

I grew up in the Panhandle and can tell you that is has some of the most beautiful beaches in the WORLD. White sand, emerald green water and a southern attitude. The area is EXPLODING with tourism - PCB has something like 33 hi-rises currently being built on the beaches. All of the sleepy little hotels are being bought up in a real estate frenzy. But get away from the beaches and all the towns are the same - small towns with great people. Its a tough place to make a living (doing what I do), that's why I live in South Florida. Some day I may move back.

There are a million things to do and see. Art and culture - maybe, depending on your standards(remember this is the Bible Belt). Real estate is still affordable (off the beaches). The deal with the Panhandle is that St. Joe paper company ownes a lot of the land up there and due to the "paperless society" they don't need the land any more. So, Arvida/St. Joe (who helped develop S.FL) is moving in and starting to develop some of their land and build an International airport in PCB. There is also a LARGE military presence: 2 large AirForce bases (Tyndall and Eglin), 2 Navy bases (Pensacola and PCB), and countless smaller stations and bases throughout the Panhandle. Tourism is the #1 industry there.

My advice is to look at the Panhandle as an alternative. Most people that live in Florida have never been there because it is somewhat isolated. Definately worth the trip. The 3 largest cities are Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee.

Post #176888 by AlohaStation on Wed, Aug 3, 2005 8:18 AM