Posted on 06/03/2011 8:37:23 AM PDT by jazminerose
Any Freepers hail from Panama City? We're thinking about moving there & need all of the info we can get.
Housing, employment, etc. Are there any really quiet neighborhoods?
There are military there, a big plus. So what is the conservative to libtard ratio?
It looks to be a nice place.
If it were me I would live in Dothan, Alabama and just drive down to PCB when the sea beckons. It’s cheaper, safer, and friendlier people.
The brand new PC airport has opened up some new routes, although price is still an issue. They're talking about direct flights to Chicago and Cincinnati in the near future. That would be a big deal. Southwest is already doing non-stops to Baltimore, Houston and Nashville.
I plan on retiring there, no worries about schools, and as far as rednecks, come to Ohio...you'll hear far worse than you do along the Gulf.
Interesting idea. Dothan is an up and coming place with very nice people. You can get in the car and be sipping a drink at the beach in 90 minutes.
Interesting take. I find S. FL to be extremely rude.
I was in and out of nearby Fort Rucker a lot during my Army career. Many friends retired in the area and they love it.
Easy access to I-10, but far enough from it to feel the peace. Robert Trent Jones golf trail. Good airport. Mild winters.
Known as PC to the locals… PC beach is the resort area. Panama City is a nice southern town, along with the towns nearby (Chipley, Bonifay, Lynn Haven). Nice folks in North Florida. Dothan is nice but Alabama has higher taxes including state income tax, Florida does not. Dunno your political leanings, but this part of Florida is VERY GOP. It still has great sugar sand beaches and clear blue-green water in spite of BP’s misdeeds last year. I was nearby (Apalachicola/St. George Island) a coupla weeks back. Weather and water was great, but sharks and rays seen just off shore made us swim in the pool more than we wanted!
Don’t believe the airlines! They’ve been talking about more routes to Tallahassee for years - and that’s the capital. No easy, cheap way there that doesn’t involve 7 hrs of driving each way. We call it “Tallanasty”. LOL!
If you fish or are a recreational boater, this is the place!
Thanks, we are lookking strictly for SFRs—we have German Shepheds.
I agree, and I’m a New Yorker. NYers are direct, but friendly. Was there last weekend and random folks on streets, stores & subways will happily give directions and talk baseball, weather, etc. I thanked every sailor I saw (was “fleet week”). People here seem to be far less friendly, don’t strike up conversations while waiting in lines, etc. Could be the sucky economy. Also, many more transients. Most Floridians transplanted from somewhere else.
As an aside I’ve noticed folks tend to get married quickly and often here. Not nearly as high a percentage of long-term marriages as I’ve seen elsewhere. Probably related to the transient nature, economy and the higher average age.
Have a friend who moved/retired to Dothan a few years ago. All that’s been said seems true. BUT to travel by air, you must go to Panama City or Atlanta, depending on destination. If thru Atlanta, airfare runs about twice as much if you take the Atlanta-Dothan leg of the flight. The drive to Atlanta is 3-4 hours.
It’s funny, I went to NYC to visit a friend (It’s been about 15 years ago now). I found most New Yorkers there were very friendly, I asked for directions (much to the horror of my friend! LOL) and most were fine, altho I think some were a little surprised to have a stranger talking to them.
It really is odd that the particular people who moved down here to what should be paradise are so sour and angry. I just don’t get it. We’ve been here about 7 years now. It’s worse when the snowbirds are here, but only marginally better when they leave (because there are fewer people). Obviously not everyone is like that, I have met some really nice people, but every year when we trek back to the southwest to visit family I am surprised by how nice everyone is and it’s hard to remember that there are people like that. I mean men actually DO open the door for me (instead of trying to push me out of the way and run in when I open the door) and they engage you in conversation while in line.
Even the older people out there are nicer. Of course, not everyone is nice even out there. But I can sure feel the difference as we drive from here to there over the course of a few days.
Go west. Fort Walton and the surroundings are much nicer.
Quick story about those nasty New Yorkers. As a kid was there with mom and dad. Dad asked directions of some gal on the bus, and she said “Just get off when I get off”.
We did, she pointed things out, and we thanked her and my Dad said “We sure were blessed that your stop was where we needed to go!”
She laughed and said “Oh - my stop was three blocks back - but I can use the excerise!”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.