Pensacola - It's what you make of it.
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4/8/2006
I've been in Pensacola for 4 years now. Been through many tropical storms and a couple hurricanes and the only reason I'm preparing to leave is the job market for professionals. The area is surrounded by beautiful beaches and some of the best salt water fishing around. The people are quick to say "good morning" everywhere you go and generosity abounds. It is a big Catholic/Baptist/Methodist area and the people of this area live their religion (very conservative). Like most Florida cities, the poorest live a block from the richest. My neighborhood is middle class and primarily military or retired military. The next block over there are families living in trailers and a block in the other direction are upper-middle class homes with alot of the area's professionals. I lived in the Orlando area and it was pretty much the same there. The cost of living has gone up fast here. This area was already in a boom when Hurricane Ivan struck. After Ivan, property values shot up as well as insurance rates. Right behind those was the property tax. My home has increased in value by almost 50% since I purchased it(4 years ago). The area is still recovering from Hurricane Ivan and took a blow from Hurricane Dennis last year. People who are not from this area just don't understand it takes years to rebuild after these. Its no like a tornado where a path is cut, Ivan and Dennis damaged homes from the coast all the way to Birmingham, AL. The benefit is now the area is improving with every renovation or rebuild. At one point, the population was very poor and crime was rampant. Today, there are few areas where you would feel unsafe. If moving here, keep a couple things in mind. There will always be hurricanes and tropical storms. People will always stand together to recover. And finally, there's always the beach. The average summer temperature is about 92 and the humidity is in the 90s. This isn't really warm for people from the midwest, but it is uncomfortable. Again, there's always the beach! It is also only 5.5 hours from Atlanta, 4 hours to Birmingham, 3.5 hours from New Orleans, about 8 hours from Gatlinburg, TN and 8 hours to Orlando. Good central location for everything you could want to do. And of course, right on the beach.
Marc | Bellview, FL