What BestPlaces Users Say about Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida is a popular coastal city located in the northwestern part of the state, known for its beautiful beaches and historic downtown. As a major tourist destination, Pensacola also attracts many residents looking for a laid-back lifestyle with plenty of outdoor activities and cultural events. However, not all aspects of living in Pensacola may be appealing to everyone. In this context, I will summarize user reviews from BestPlaces.net to provide a well-rounded perspective on what it is like to live in Pensacola.
According to user "Jessica", who has lived in Pensacola for 10 years, it is a great place to raise a family. She mentions that the city has "great schools and plenty of family-friendly activities." Another user, "Mark", shares similar sentiments about the family-friendly atmosphere and adds that "the cost of living is affordable compared to other coastal cities." However, not all reviews are positive. "Sarah" expresses disappointment with the job market in Pensacola, saying "finding a decent job has been a struggle." Similarly, "Brian" mentions that the city lacks diversity and can feel "isolated from the rest of the world."
Despite some negative comments, the majority of user reviews praise Pensacola's natural beauty. "Samantha" mentions how she loves living near the beach and enjoys "taking walks on the boardwalk and watching the sunset." Another user, "John", highlights the city's history and recommends visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum. On the other hand, "Amy" mentions the frequent hurricanes as a major downside of living in Pensacola, stating "every summer, I worry about potential damage to my home."
Overall, the user reviews on BestPlaces.net show a mixed perspective on living in Pensacola, Florida. While some praise the city for its family-friendly atmosphere and natural beauty, others point out the challenges of finding a job and the potential risks of hurricanes. Ultimately, each person's experience may vary, but it is clear that Pensacola has a unique charm that attracts many residents.
based on 72 ReviewsGet to know Pensacola with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Pensacola
EDUCATION HERE IS WELL ABOVE AVERAGE - 4/13/2007
The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College Continue to expand degree/major offerings and are experiencing significant increases in enrollment. The grade schools have done quite well regarding the Florida Comprehensive tests. This is definitly a town where you are not compelled to send your kids to private school...many of the public schools are very
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WONDERFUL CLIMATE - 4/13/2007
Pensacola has a nice change of seasons with a Winter that is not harsh...there is actually a change in the color of the leaves....yet again....the temperatures seldom get into the twenties. Great
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OUTSTANDING PLACE TO LIVE - 4/13/2007
Pensacola has it all except for the extreme hustle and bustle of a large metropolitan city. Pensacoleans just voted to approve "Maritime Park" for constuction downtown on our beautiful Pensacola Bay. The park will include a multi-use baseball stadium/complex, a national maritime museum, University of West Florida class facilities, conference space, tremendous waterfront access by all, an adjacent marina and restaurants with many other amenities. Pensacola has mild weather but with a nice change of seasons (leaf change and all) that is not harsh but much more interesting than South Florida. The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College continue to expand...their majors, degree programs and enrollment. We have superb fishing, very good hunting and great canoeing. We have a nice zoo and several nice nature walk trails. We are remodeling our beautiful Saenger theatre and have the Pensacola Little theatre for all kinds of national and local entertainment. Pensacola's
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Cost of living increasing -- salaries NOT! - 1/14/2007
I have lived in Pensacola most of my life, and I love it here. I love warm weather, and we get PLENTY of that (with plenty of sugar white beaches on which to enjoy those warm days). Since Hurricane Ivan hit, though, I have to admit my family has considered moving multiple times.
Our homeowners insurance used to cost us less than $1000 annually. This year, the cost for coverage (with HIGHER deductibles) is $5600! (We do NOT have a waterfront home!) Home values have increased dramatically since Ivan (less supply, more demand), so consequently our property taxes have increased proportionally.
Unfortunately, businesses are facing the same challenges (higher insurance, higher building costs), so they cannot afford to increase salaries for their employees. Pensacola has historically been known for having low wages, but it has also historically been known for having a low cost of living. That's just not the case anymore. And until things change, lifelong
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Insurance rates are driving many on fixed incomes - 11/22/2006
I grew up in Pensacola and have lived here most of my life. I have always loved the beaches and piney woods on Northwest Florida and the climate is great (of course I like summer days with temps and humidity in the 90's). I am retiring in a couple of years and had planned to stay here but the cost of living has soared since Hurricane Ivan. In 2003 my homeowners insurance rose from about $800 per year to $1300 when Nationwide dropped us from windstorm insurance and we had to go to the state-run Florida Windstorm for hurricane protection. By law Florida Windstorm has to be more expensive the the most expensive private insurer. After Ivan (and a bad experience with Florida Windstorm) we switched to State Farm. Our premium jumped to $2300. This year our premium has jumped to $7800. (And we have never filed a claim with our insurance company) Our experience is pretty typical. And these rates will continue to climb. One insurance agent I spoke with said this is just the first
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Pensacola......sometimes I wonder. - 8/16/2006
I am 34 yrs old, married, one child. I have lived in P'Cola since Apr'91.
I was discharged from USMC Mar'95. I have a BS in mgm't and trail a MSM
by two courses. The average job in Pensacola will not pay me for the
college and experience. It use to be a good place to retire, but with high
price homes(new & used) and mortgage insurance I am starting to have doubts.
According to www.bestplace.net the median price of a new home in
Pensacola is more than the median home price in Atlanta. Really, check it out. I want to be wrong. Average wage is $10.00. Average mortgage $950.00. Good doctors. Scarce. I travel to Atlanta to see a Neurologist, because I have MS. Neurologists are here in Pensacola, but they are a little behind the times. Due to a Govn't Consolidation, my job is slated to go away. I may have to move. I lived in Detroit for 6 yrs so of course I am going to love Pensacola for the public schools, low crime and weather, despite the
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Pensacola is a terrible place to live. - 8/15/2006
First, let me tell you a little about myself. I am a student at the University Of West Florida. The teachers are great, but the school never has any money. I am a work at a major retailer. I live in an apartment complex and make less than $17,000 a year at my job, even though I've worked at the same place for 8 years. I have to tell you that the starting pay is only $7.00 and that is after they upped it. Rent prices aren't bad here, but you get paid so little, that it is steep. Also, most apartment complexes look like you live in the ghetto. No one takes pride in the way they live.
It seems like almost all the black people that live here are on foodstamps and welfare. All of the white people are on WIC. I have had to fix two dents in my car from people running into it while it was parked in my apartment complex. One was the size of a volley ball, the other was almost 2 feet across. I have too many other small dings to count from people opening their
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Hurricane or not....this city is still alive! - 7/12/2006
But, barely. I recently moved here from Lakewood Colorado because of personal circumstances. I haven't ever seen a city so down and out. While the cost of living is obviously on the rise, the salaries are not. The average person here makes about 10.00 per hour. While most incomes are based on a combined income of husband and wife, my annual income is about $14,400.00. I am an educated person with lots of diverse work experience;however, I am a single mother of 3 and living with a relative, because I cannot make it on my own. My average pay per month is 1200 take home. The rent is about $800 or so....figure it out. I am looking for that place that offers people an opportunity to live and grow with their family and in their wallets (aren't we
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Weather - 7/9/2006
Long hot humid summers, short mild winters without snowfall.
As with the entire state, Pensacola is a prime target for
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