Relocating to Pensacola FL? Opinions? (Tampa, Orlando: low income, insurance, buying a house)

[CatCosmos]

I am trying to decide between buying a house in Pensacola FL or the coast of North Carolina. I've narrowed it down to these two places. I keep hearing people say they would never want to live in Florida, and I don't really understand why. I've never been there. What is it like in Pensacola FL and would you ever live there? I also keep hearing about how expensive the property taxes are in Florida but right now I'm in California and you can't get more expensive than that.
If you had to choose between living in Pensacola FL or on the coast of North Carolina which would you choose? List all the good and bad things about Pensacola - weather, crime, housing market, taxes, beaches, shopping, restaurants, etc.?
I'm not too big on the nightlife, I just care about being near a good beach, with some shopping and some good restaurants and coffee shops.
Is it really humid there? Is it a nice overall town or is it "shabby"?

[CatCosmos]

Also, would Gulf Breeze be better than Pensacola?

[m1a1mg]

I guess the first question I would ask is how did you pick Pensacola?

[drfranklin]

First, the Panhandle beaches are MUCH better than anything on east coast, including all SC/NC beaches. Pensacola/Destin/Panama City all have white, sugary sand and beautiful, clear water (with an emerald-green hue). The NC coast will have brown, gritty sand with murky water.

Of course, FL's Panhandle and Coastal NC will have much different weather than California. I loved the question, "Is it really humid there?" LOL - the Panhandle will experience oppressive humidity in July and August - you need to visit Destin in August - you will perspire even at dawn - great pool weather though. Coastal NC may have a touch less humidity just because of its latitude.

FL does not have a state income tax - NC just initiated a flat income tax of 5.8%.

Why are you moving? Retirement? Job transfer? Moving closer to family?

If it's retirement, you need to investigate the Destin/SoWal/30-A areas.

[CatCosmos]

I'm a business owner, in my early-mid twenties. I can basically move anywhere but narrowed it down to Florida (Pensacola) and North Carolina (Wilmington) because of their no income tax or low income tax, beautiful scenery, beaches, housing market, and amenities. The job market doesn't worry me in either places because I'm self employed. I am worried about Florida's property taxes though, since everywhere I read people are complaining about insurance and property taxes - but nothing can be as bad as California. Does Pensacola FL have a fall season or is it mostly just summer weather year-round?
With North Carolina's 5.8% income tax, and low property taxes I'm guessing it would be pretty similar to Florida's property taxes but I haven't done any real math on the comparison.
Humidity looks like it would be similar in both places, and I think NC's humidity temp today said it was "100%", yikes.
Why does Florida get a bad rep? Is it just the more southern parts of Florida? Because it seems like everyone likes the panhandle but the opinions are different towards the rest of the state.
North Carolina, especially Wilmington, seems to have that beautiful historic charm and fall festivals though. Its a hard choice.

[ncnittany]

I have lived both places. There are very similar in a lot of ways. Summer is a bit longer in Pensacola. My single biggest issue is travel. Unless your flying direct to Houston, Atlanta, or Nashville, it will cost you an arm and leg. It's nothing to drop $400-500 per ticket for a flight up north or out west.(That's even buying a ticket 3-6 weeks out) I guess the issue is there is not a big city within 3 hours. I have often thought about driving to Atlanta, Tampa, or Orlando just to get a deal. Anyway, that's my rant and issue with Pensacola. On the plus side you will have much better beach access in Pensacola than Wilmington and like another mentioned, the beaches in Pensacola are way nicer.

[m1a1mg]

As drfranklin said, the areas east of Pensacola are a much better idea. All the attractions, shopping, dining you could want, without the crime. However, concerts and the like are far away.

It is important to note that they call this area the Redneck Riviera for a reason. Many parts of the panhandle are more like southern Alabama. As I tell anyone who posts this same idea, visit, visit, visit.

[drfranklin]

I want to clarify statements I made above: I've visited several of the well-known beaches in SC (Myrtle, Hilton Head) - and, from what I've been told, these areas are very similar to beaches near Wilmington (however, never visited Wilmington) - again, the FL Panhandle beaches are MUCH better.

Now, Wilmington does offer amenities that the Pensacola/Destin area does not have: Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Costco etc; however, AL, MS, and the FL Panhandle are well-known neglected areas for some national retail - Birmingham, AL is finally getting AL's first Trader Joe's - Jackson, MS just opened the state's first Whole Foods. The Destin/30-A is a HUGE drawn for very wealthy Southerners (especially Atlantans!) - I'm surprised at least Costco or Whole Foods does not have a location there.

Honestly, if I were an independent business owner, could choose between the FL Panhandle and the NC Coast, I'd choose the 30-A area (near Destin) just for the magnificent beaches.

Of course, visit and see for yourself.

Good luck!

[CatCosmos]

Is Pensacola a really small area? People from other forums are making it sound like a small town or something. Is it a decent size? Also, what are some good grocery stores, like health food stores? Because they don't have a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods...do they just have regular grocery stores?

[drfranklin]

IMO, Publix is the premier grocer in the Southeast (some will say it's the Wegman's of the South) - fantastic grocery store, clean, great produce/bakery/deli, and (usually) a large selection of organic products. Also, Fresh Market has locations in the FL Panhandle. There are several independent health food/organic stores in the Pensacola, Destin, 30A, and Panama City (do a google search).

Re the question on seasons: the Panhandle does get cold in the winter - in fact, it will snow/ice on average once every 5 years. I'm unclear if leaves change color there (beachmouse will know). Wilmington, NC will have a much colder winter than the Panhandle (comparatively speaking) - in fact, Wilmington averages nearly 2 inches of snow per year (almost identical to Birmingham, AL).

Word of advice: don't focus just on Pensacola - drive/explore the entire Panhandle (to Panama City).