Worst mistake ever - 3/1/2022

I moved here from Akron, OH back in 2007 and was expecting a huge city (similar to Miami), nope, I was wrong. It ended up being more like a backwards redneck town more similar to something you'd find in Alabama. Not much going on here, very isolated. The average education is pretty low too and graduating highschool is a big deal lol. Glad I left. Utilities are high, groceries are high, pay is low. Retail and customer service based jobs make up 98% of the jobs here. If you want to make money, you'd best be a doctor or a lawyer, unless you move down already loaded (but then you'd probably wouldn't be found dead in Panama City and would live in 30-a haha).

[Comment on this Posting]

Red Neck City, FL - 7/27/2021

If you love bars, trailers, isolation, and generic shopping while feeling depressed then this is the place for you. Panama City has alot of shallow people, most red necks who don't have any education higher than 4th grade, and that they also think they're much better than you. The only way you can actually make money is if you're a lawyer or doctor and the only other jobs are retail and restaurants. The town feels very isolated, no real parks, no entertainment(except a movie theater), no sports venues(you need to travel roughly 4-5 hours to Atlanta to watch a sports game), and so on. Much of the town feels very run down and trashy. The only thing I can say is that if you have lots of money and need a winter home, check out the west end of PCB since there are some decent areas to live.

[Comment on this Posting]

Better wait until hurricane recovery is complete. - 3/31/2019

This review is from a 24 year resident moved from Michigan. When I first moved, I missed the bigger city things like a university, large library, electronics stores, and machine shops. With the changing economy, I'm not sure that applies any longer. The review is 5 months after hurricane Michael, the area was hard hit! I live in a nice subdivision with 97 homes, two homes have been demolished, I think 50% to 60% of the homes still need repairs, 1/3rd still need their roofs replaced. (still covered with blue tarps) WE lost millions of pine trees! Because so many homes were damaged and we have so many construction workers here from out of town, rents have skyrocketed, double is common and more is not unusual. Traffic is better, but still a little crazy with construct workers flowing in and out of town every day. Many people left town because there place of work was destroyed, there home was damaged, and rent was expensive for a working person let alone an unemployed person. A drive down the main road would show 50 businesses that were damaged or destroyed and still not open. The are still many street signs down, and I have three water leaks in my subdivision, I'm sure they have been reported, but apparently they are low on the cities repair schedule.

[Comment on this Posting]

Beautiful area, but economy and employment lacking - 10/17/2018

I've lived in the Springfield area for just about 4 years, I'm military so I move a lot. Panama City definitely has it's pros and cons. Pros: The beaches. Some of the best beaches you'll ever see just 20 minutes away. The weather. Yes it gets into the mid 90s in the summer with 90% humidity, but I happen to like it hot. And plus the afternoon rain showers and thunderstorms in the summer are amazing. Winters can get pretty chilly too down into the 30s and a bit windy sometimes. Cost of living. Panama City has some very reasonable cost of living especially since Florida does not take income tax. However sales tax is between 6-7% depending what part of the county you're at. Cons: Some of the most expensive car insurance you'll ever see. Florida is one of the the most expensive states to insure a car. Also, on that note, the overabundance of ignorant elderly drivers that will incite more road rage than you knew you had. I wish I was exaggerating. The housing market leaves a lot to be desired honestly. It's really hard to find a decent home in a halfway decent area for under say $120,000. Not to say there aren't cheap homes, but 9 times out of 10 they'll be from the '60s and dilapidated and weathered and the owner (or slumlord if you're renting) will be trying to get top dollar for a chicken coop. You will find a lot of that ESPECIALLY if you're looking to rent. This area is in DIRE need of better, newer housing. And the job market is a bit lacking as there are a lot of impoverished people here. Bottom line. Panama City and really all of Bay County has some really, really nice areas that make you want to put down roots and maybe retire, but unfortunately there are a lot more impoverished areas than average at least compared to many other places I've lived. If you want to live in a nice part of town expect to pay over $150,000 for a house. I really wish a lot of the old parts of town could just be demolished so that new residents and businesses could move in and bring up the average employment state and overall mood of the town commensurate with it's potential.

[Comment on this Posting]

drought - 10/11/2018

It needs more rain. drought conditions prevail. Grass and trees need rain. Sun is nice but a little rain is good.

[Comment on this Posting]

This was the worst mistake I've made - 6/12/2014

I moved here from Fort Myers, FL. The cost of living (utilities, food, amenities, and housing) are higher and the pay (on average) is lower. What happens then? This place becomes a black hole with no way out. You end up stuck because you can't save enough to leave. The schools suck (my daughter had NO HOMEWORK for the entire school year). I thought she was lying, but I checked and she wasn't. And the paper mill. I don't need the weather channel, I know when I smell that overwhelmingly sour warm garbage smell that it will rain within 24 - 48 hours. If you want a new start, and somewhere good for kids, DO NOT COME HERE! There's no diversity or activities... There's the beach, but you smell it before you see it and I wouldn't suggest making an attempt going there between the months of March and May because of Spring Break.

[Comment on this Posting]

climate - 3/9/2013

hot summers.mild springs,falls and winters.

[Comment on this Posting]

Living here - 1/8/2013

I've lived in Panama City/Panama City Beach area since 1988, back in the day in my younger years this was a beautiful place to live and you could make it by with an ok job but over the years the place has changed so much and most of the attractions are gone and the jobs are really awful with low pay. The mentality around here is be greatful for any job now shut up and get to work.You get stuck in a job because there's not many other opportunities to choose from. After all these years and the sweat I've put into this area I am packing up and getting outta here, heading to Texas,the last hope of this great nation. Don't move here.

[Comment on this Posting]

economy - 3/11/2012

This is a different Florida. This area they call South Alabama or the Red Neck Riviera. Very kick back and a long beautiful beach.

[Comment on this Posting]

The redneck Riviera. - 1/1/2011

Panama City is an overrated trailer park. Jobs are low wage and hard to find. The draw down at Tyndall AFB has really hit the economy hard. Allot of boarded up buildings. Panama City Beach is nice but the construction boom ruined the view of the awesome beaches. New Airport is in the sticks and Paper mill makes it reek most of the year.

[Comment on this Posting]

Horrible, horrible - 11/21/2010

The worst city I ever lived in. The people are friendly, but the education system stinks. The whole city reeks of the paper mill. There is absolutely nothing to do, so everyone hangs out at the Wal-Mart. There are no jobs. Did not meet one interesting person the whole time we were there. We were so happy to leave.

[Comment on this Posting]

weather - 9/10/2009

The weather is great. 8 months of perfect. 4 months of a little cool to a little hot. Never to wet, never to dry.

[Comment on this Posting]

Unemployment >5% - 9/19/2008

> 5% Unemployment with very low wages.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lived here for two months, looking to move again s - 9/27/2006

The economy is as bad as the median education level. The cost of living is as high as some of the more cosmopolitan areas of FL, thus, the working poor are most affected and the beaches are being converted to an impenetrable chain of condos. I am a college educated woman working two table waiting jobs and am barely able to make a living wage. The weather is beautiful and so are the beaches, but stay upwind from the paper mill. 1 star out of 5.

[Comment on this Posting]

Panama city is home - 8/23/2006

Panama City is beautiful but is growing in leaps and bounds. Condos are blocking the view of the beaches. Except for summer when the temputure climbs and the humidity is ridiclous, the rest of the year is great. Pay scale is low for the most part. Cost of living is on the rise. Nice fairly small town but growing quickly.

[Comment on this Posting]

If you like... - 5/4/2006

humidity, then you'll love Panama City, FL. It's hot here most of the year with very hot summers and mild winters. However the humidity makes the cold seem even colder. There are a lot of nice things about this area, including a fairly low crime rate, however, there is very little to do unless you love the beach, the saltwater and small town type events. The housing costs are going through the roof. Even small junky places are very overpriced. The economy here is terrible. Probably one of the lowest paying places anywhere and that's comparing it to any city its size, statistically speaking. The problem is there is too much old money still running the political scene. I've lived in this area since 1980 and I believe it's time for a permanent change of scenery.

[Comment on this Posting]

HOT!!! - 4/19/2006

I recently moved down here from Maine and the temp difference is unbelievable

[Comment on this Posting]

Panama City nice but... - 4/16/2006

I have lived in Panama City for a year now and it is a beautiful area. PROBLEM IS... wages are too low for the cost of living. Houses are 250k plus for a modest 3/2.

[Comment on this Posting]

Nice place, if you can stand the paper mill smell. - 12/12/2005

Panama City is a nice, quiet town that is quite different from its tourist-oriented Panama City Beach neighbor. Panama City is older and more established. Traffic is light compared to a big city. The biggest problem is the smell. PC has a paper mill right down on the water. When the wind is out of the north, the smell blows out over the water and everything is fine. But, if the wind is coming out of the south, which happens almost everytime we get rain off the gulf, the smell will knock you down. A good whiff can burn your sinuses and make your eyes water. Oddly enough, the people that work in the mill can't smell it. I guess it all goes up the smoke stacks. In spite of the odor, it doesn't appear to have any serious health risks. The statistics for breathing/lung problems are actually below or near the national averages. If you're looking for the big city, this ain't it. The biggest city within driving distance is Tallahassee, which is about 2 hours away, and Tallahassee isn't big. Jacksonville is the closest. It's about 4 to 5 hours away.

[Comment on this Posting]

Panama City Beach - 10/2/2005

We've live here in Panama City Beach for 5 years. I've been coming here all of my life. In the past 3 years the beach has changed so much and it's not good. High rise condos are taking over the entire beach. Driving down Front Beach Road is like driving through a construction site. Housing is way over priced. We will be so happy to get out of this hell hole.

[Comment on this Posting]