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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Ft. Walton Beach Florida area

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/07/2006 : 07:01:40

I'd be grateful for any information the folks in this association might be able to supply me about this area. I've already done the research regarding economics, demographics etc, I'd prefer personal insights, availabilty of marinas, warnings away from certain locations and/or establishments and a general rundown of the culture.
I don't need any information on schools or the like, my kids are grown.

How much of the "damn yankee" attitude might I run into?

Thanks.

Rick

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 10:43:28

I'm hesitant to reply, because my info is dated, but here it is for what it's worth. I bought my C25 from "The Boat" in Ft. Walton Beach, 25 years ago, and sailed it there for a few days before taking it home. At that time, I would call it a smallish town, but a lot of construction was going on, with new motels and restaurants. Businesses and streets were neat and clean, and people were pleasant. Eglin Air Force Base is all around the north and west of the city, and it's huge. I don't know whether it has been caught up in the base closings

If you travel westward on the IC Waterway along the south side of the city, it takes you to Pensacola and then to Mobile. The waterway isn't wide enough to do much sailing, unless the wind direction is just right. If you travel east, the waterway takes you to Destin, and to Choctawhatchee Bay. The Bay isn't huge, but it's big enough for some nice sailing. There's a bridge at Destin that crosses an inlet to the Gulf. As I recall, boats with masts in the high 40's couldn't get through it. Masts shorter than that were OK. There was a little river or perhaps just a cove at Destin where small local fishing boats docked, and on the opposite side, there was a beautiful, undeveloped, sandy beach, covered with sea grasses and small dunes. The water was deep enough that we could beach our fin keel boat, bury the anchor in the beach, and stay the night. It was one of the prettiest places I've ever stayed. I hope it's not covered with condos now.

I wasn't there long, but didn't see any evidence of a "damn yankee" attitude. On the way home, in southern Alabama, there were places between the small towns that frankly scared me just to drive through. At that time, they still had signs posted that made it clear they didn't like black people, and I wasn't too sure how they felt about uppity white folks from Ohio, towing a big, new sailboat with an inside toilet.

If you're moving into a new neighborhood anywhere, I think it's best to avoid expressing any opinions about politics or religion, until your new friends know you well enough to "forgive" you if you disagree with them.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 00:31:47

Rick,

I live in Niceville (yeah, that's right) about 10 miles north of Ft. Walton. Relocated from Dayton Ohio in 1998. A lot of the folks here came from somewhere else due to the proximity of Eglin AFB, so don't worry about the "damn Yankee" thing. For the same reason, this is politically and socially a very conservative area (if you wonder who the people in the polls are that still think "W' is doing a good job, they're here). Marina situation is in decline since the real estate situation has made selling waterfront property hard to resist. I have a townhouse on the water with a slip in the back yard, so I'm not exactly an expert on using the local marinas.

Taxes are low (no state income tax) and the housing prices have plateaued since last summer. Expect another peak in next year or so as Eglin picks up additional military units from bases that will close as a result of the latest BRAC. I assume you're retired, so employment is probably not a concern?

Like everywhere, it has pros and cons. Last hurricane season was a bummer and I'm old enough to find dealing with the storms to be a giant pain. But, the first 5 years I was here there weren't any of consequence. Maybe this year they will stay in the Atlantic?

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 08:47:33

Thank you Steve and Eric,
Actually my reason for asking is I'm being considered for a position at a company located in Ft. Walton Beach. I'd be very interested in knowing more about the real estate situation from the point of view of which towns are livable and which would be better to avoid. Naturally, reasonable commuting distance to Ft. Walton Beach is important, I don't want to be driving more than 45 minutes one way.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 17:25:52

I would advise staying away from any significant commute involving US 98 especially west of Ft. Walton beach. It is a very dangerous strip of road that can have some big tie-ups from accidents. If we are in a hurricane peak, you don't want to be too near the Gulf. Check the elevation of the home and the flood zone. I'm not aware of any towns to deffinitely avoid, but you'll notice a very "democratic" organization of housing. Blocks of very nice homes can abut a trailor park. Zoning caught on rather late down here. Destin is upscale and very crowded during the tourist season. I would avoid, but you might like it. Farther east are more upscale communities like San Destin, Rosemary Beach, and the town by the gulf made famous by the movie "The Truman Show," Seaside. Seaside is probably beyond the 45 minute commute limit. Going north, Crestview has grown rapidly in the last few years and has many moderatly priced houses. In Niceville, there is an area known as Bluewater Bay that I would suggest you check out if you move this way.

Sailing is great on Choctaehatchee Bay and it is connected to the ICW for easy access to Pensacola and St. Andrews bays. The Choctawhatchee Bay is about 5 miles wide and about 30 long. Being protected from the gulf by a narrow strip of land, it tends to be smoother, but with generally steady winds most of the year.

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 22:02:18

I'm actually driving there tomorrow. I just arrived at my older brother's place after 15 hours of driving and he's stationed in Ft. Rucker, AL. We're heading to Destin, FL tomorrow for the weekend. I'll be able to see how it is in person.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.