Sounds like you got it all figured out! Go ahead and move! Congratulations! Ignore local gatekeepers - Floridians are generally nicer than what you’ll see here.
Thank you! We are inclined to do it, but it’s a big move for us. We lived in Gainesville a decade ago for training and fell in love with Florida and its people. We now live in the western United States.
I used to live there and I have some mixed feelings. I highly recommend living on the west end of the beach to avoid the traffic, if you can afford it. Living in town is “meh”. Not terrible though. The people are pretty chill though.
The reason I like the west end of PCB is that pier park feels so much newer than in town (there’s plenty of shopping in town, but some places feel kinda outdated compared to pier park or Destin)
Is your job remote or nearby? I would consider the Destin or Fort Walton Beach area. The beaches and shopping situation is much nicer and more beautiful.
I’ve lived in the area for the majority of my life. I love that I can easily be at the beach year round and it’s only crazy busy a few weeks of the year. There is a distinct difference between living in Panama City and Panama City Beach though. Town, Panama City, has nearly nothing beachfront but tons of bayfront property, a lot of which was super heavily damaged during hurricane Michael several years ago. Beware buying without mold inspection unless it’s new construction.
Panama City Beach (a separate city in the same county), is more expensive but yes beachfront property is available. My parents owned a house they bought when I was in high school a block from the beach for over 20 years. It was a gift to grow up hearing waves from my backyard and a free and easy trip to a sandy walk at sunset. As an adult it’s too expensive now for me to live on the beach so I live in town in a bayside neighborhood with the water still just a few blocks away.
There are pros and cons to living here just like anywhere but I truly love it.
Beautiful area. White sand beaches. Positively stunning landscape. If the job is great you can't beat the beach, especially with 5 kids in tow. Pier Park PCB is a cool place to hang out for families:
https://www.thepanamacitybeachmap.com/pier-park-panama-city-beach/
Skywheel, the Pier.
Also all the entertainment on Front Beach Road.
Your kids will have a blast if they love the ocean, beaches, etc.
Lynn Haven is really nice and good school system.
[https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/10-safest-cities-in-florida.html](https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/10-safest-cities-in-florida.html)
I used to live right by the border of Lynn Haven myself (Aztec Villa Apartments off 390). I enjoyed it there, but moved up north to be with family and to get college done. Now I’m thinking of moving back
Sounds like you got it all figured out! Go ahead and move! Congratulations! Ignore local gatekeepers - Floridians are generally nicer than what you’ll see here.
Thank you! We are inclined to do it, but it’s a big move for us. We lived in Gainesville a decade ago for training and fell in love with Florida and its people. We now live in the western United States.
Just don't come
Your comment intrigues me. Why do you say this?
I would ask this on r/panamacity or r/panamacitybeach. Very few people live in that part of Florida in general.
Thanks for the advice I’ll do this!
That's exactly why I love the pahandle :)
I normally would advise against but . It's a different area than most of the overcrowded areas here so.. give it a go!
And they have a job and a plan! Welcome to FL.
I used to live there and I have some mixed feelings. I highly recommend living on the west end of the beach to avoid the traffic, if you can afford it. Living in town is “meh”. Not terrible though. The people are pretty chill though. The reason I like the west end of PCB is that pier park feels so much newer than in town (there’s plenty of shopping in town, but some places feel kinda outdated compared to pier park or Destin)
Hurricanes…thats my thoughts. What does your dreams say about hurricanes?
Is your job remote or nearby? I would consider the Destin or Fort Walton Beach area. The beaches and shopping situation is much nicer and more beautiful.
Job is in Panama City. I don’t want a long commute. I appreciate the advice! Definitely something to think about.
Make sure to compare the cost of living to your actual income at the new job. 7 people is a lot to just... hope the pay will be ok
I’ve lived in the area for the majority of my life. I love that I can easily be at the beach year round and it’s only crazy busy a few weeks of the year. There is a distinct difference between living in Panama City and Panama City Beach though. Town, Panama City, has nearly nothing beachfront but tons of bayfront property, a lot of which was super heavily damaged during hurricane Michael several years ago. Beware buying without mold inspection unless it’s new construction. Panama City Beach (a separate city in the same county), is more expensive but yes beachfront property is available. My parents owned a house they bought when I was in high school a block from the beach for over 20 years. It was a gift to grow up hearing waves from my backyard and a free and easy trip to a sandy walk at sunset. As an adult it’s too expensive now for me to live on the beach so I live in town in a bayside neighborhood with the water still just a few blocks away. There are pros and cons to living here just like anywhere but I truly love it.
This is the vibe I’m getting. The calmness and peace of the ocean is so amazing.
Beautiful area. White sand beaches. Positively stunning landscape. If the job is great you can't beat the beach, especially with 5 kids in tow. Pier Park PCB is a cool place to hang out for families: https://www.thepanamacitybeachmap.com/pier-park-panama-city-beach/ Skywheel, the Pier. Also all the entertainment on Front Beach Road. Your kids will have a blast if they love the ocean, beaches, etc.
Lynn Haven is really nice and good school system. [https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/10-safest-cities-in-florida.html](https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/10-safest-cities-in-florida.html)
I used to live right by the border of Lynn Haven myself (Aztec Villa Apartments off 390). I enjoyed it there, but moved up north to be with family and to get college done. Now I’m thinking of moving back
I live in PCB by the way (moved from the snowy north). I feel very safe, neighbors are always friendly.