Santa Rosa Beach is a slice of heaven. - 1/29/2020

Santa Rosa Beach is a great place to live. Weather-wise it's really two-seasons only. It will go below 50 or 60 degrees in November through March. Then things start warming up quickly. It's peaceful yet lively when it needs to be, all along 30A there are all sorts of interesting shops and restaurants. The schools both public and private are some of the best Florida has to offer. Class size is relatively small in the public schools and very small in some of the private. Like most beach towns the closer you are to the beach the more expensive housing can be, but otherwise, the cost of living is reasonable. You will need a car or mode of transportation since there is no public transportation. Of course, in the various communities, bicycles or walking will do. Job wise this area would be a good place for entrepreneurs, service providers, hospitality industry, professionals, construction, and artisans. There is very little "manufacturing" industry here, only small scale specialized opportunities. Also, there are very few public or government job opportunities. Keep in mind the population is small, and the crime rate is very low. It really is a wonderful place.

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Best place to live - 6/30/2018

Santa Rosa Beach is the single best place to live. There are amazing public schools, plenty of job opportunities and it is very safe. The cost of living is higher but so are the wages. The top 10 beach in the world is only a small part of what makes this area the best place to live.

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Do the Math Before Moving Here - 5/3/2017

Yes, the beaches are wonderful - if you can find a public beach. They are increasingly being privatized. Also good luck finding a place to park. Cost of living is 46% higher than the national average. Education is significantly below national standards. Jobs tend to be menial / blue collar. The people enjoying living in SRB have made their fortunes elsewhere and retired to the beach. The average person is in for a rough ride.

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Do the Math Before Moving Here - 5/3/2017

Yes, the beaches are wonderful - if you can find a public beach. They are increasingly being privatized. Also good luck finding a place to park. Cost of living is 46% higher than the national average. Education is significantly below national standards. Jobs tend to be menial / blue collar. The people enjoying living in SRB have made their fortunes elsewhere and retired to the beach. The average person is in for a rough ride.

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SoWal Rocks - 1/2/2013

South Walton County is a great place to live. You deal with the tourists from Memorial Day until mid August. Then you get your town back after they've dropped their millions to prop up the fine restaurants until the next season.

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Nice Place to Live - 1/2/2013

After reading the other posts, I had to add a comment about Santa Rosa Beach. The locals have to deal with the traffic and seasonal disruption of their lives from Memorial Day until about the middle of August. But then they get their town back. SoWal has a small town feel. The residents are quite friendly, and look out for one another. I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S., and I have never seen beaches that come anywhere close to those here. Yes, you will be charged 20% more than comparable restaurants in many parts of the country, but where else can you choose from so many fine restaurants without the corresponding population density? Living anywhere requires tradeoffs, and the vast majority of locals never want to leave SoWal.

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Housing - 6/16/2010

Few long term rental options.

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over crowded, expensive.. - 8/2/2007

Only nice to visit.. i grew up here and cant stand the tourist! they have no respect (its caled a bike path people, USE IT!) Locals are very kind though as long as you are nice to us. Traffic is awfull! people LOVE to walk out in front you to get to and from the beach. Cost of living... OUCH! most people who work in the area dont even live here. They come from Alabama just to clean rental units. Overall.. just visit! im leaving anyway so ill get over it. So sad what happend to the gulf coast , it used to be a beach , now its one big condo.

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Santa Rosa Beach...... - 8/2/2007

Let me just say we have the prettest beaches in the whole state here. But that has been ruined for most locals because of the tourists who come down here and think they can do anything they want on our land! 30-A has become soo over-crowded with cars, people on bikes(who love to be on the road with the cars), overly expensive resturants and bars, most locals will tell you the Red Bar is cool but dont let them fool you, unless you personally know the bartender, you will pay out the ying yang for a beer! Cost of living is soo insane, I live in a 2 bedroom townhome, close to the beach, and pay way too much for the condition it is in. Jobs, well unless you are ok with working in the service industry for the rest of your life, some do pay well. But who wants to cook for tourists as a career!!

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