Choosing to move to a new area is a significant lifestyle change! Many people are attracted to Florida’s beaches and laid back lifestyle. Still, we like to remind our homeowners that It’s important to remember that the pros and cons of living in the Florida Panhandle involve more than just white sand beaches, blue skies, and warm ocean waters.
The most well-known pros and cons of living in the Florida Panhandle are the weather. While sunny days are best enjoyed at the beach, the opposite of this major pro is the threat of hurricanes. Many aspects of living in the Florida Panhandle don’t involve the weather!
The pros and cons of living in the Florida Panhandle are best evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to your lifestyle.
Let’s jump right in to see if Florida living is right for you.
In this article:
Pros of Living in Florida Panhandle
Cons of Living in Florida Panhandle
New Construction Homes in Florida Panhandle
Pros of Living in Florida Panhandle
The benefits of living in the Florida Panhandle are aplenty! You can’t mention the Florida Panhandle lifestyle without naming sunshine, the beach, and all the exciting things to do in the area.
Sunny, Warm Weather
There’s a reason why they call Florida “The Sunshine State.” Living in the Florida Panhandle means enjoying a subtropical climate zone with mild temperatures and sunny days throughout the year. Even in winter, average maximum temperatures reach as high as 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and many go without a winter coat all year!
Beach Lifestyle
Living in the Florida Panhandle puts residents within minutes of the Gulf of Mexico’s white, sandy beaches and emerald-green waters. Considered some of the best beaches in Florida and nationwide, many visitors come to the Panhandle for the beach scene alone. With sunshine almost year-round, every day can feel like a beach vacation.
Variety of Activities and Attractions
Even if you’re not a beach person, there are hundreds of other attractions and activities to enjoy when living in the Florida Panhandle. From some of the country’s best seafood restaurants to outdoor amusement parks and state parks to shopping centers, the Florida Panhandle is filled with things to do for all types of people.
Tax Benefits
Florida’s unique tax benefits, such as the lack of personal income tax and other property tax exemptions, make living in the Florida Panhandle more affordable than in other beach regions. For some residents, investing in Florida real estate can be a way to make additional income if renting their home to tourists and vacationers.
Cons of Living in Florida Panhandle
If the benefits of living in the Florida Panhandle have you ready to make an offer on a new home in the area, you should understand the drawbacks of Florida living too. While many of the cons of living in the Florida Panhandle are extremely manageable, you may want to evaluate whether or not they’re dealbreakers for your everyday life.
Year-Round Tourist Season
Life in the Florida Panhandle is so lovely; it attracts visitors and vacationers throughout the year! Tourism’s busy season occurs during the warmer weather months from spring through fall. However, part-time residents, like those choosing to spend their retirement in the Florida Panhandle, and vacationers flock to Florida even in the winter. During Spring Break and summer vacation, the beaches, restaurants, attractions, and roads are more congested than usual.
Severe Weather and Hurricane Threats
Living on the beach and near the ocean means living with the inevitable threat of hurricanes. Due to Florida’s position on the globe and its peninsula shape, Florida has more hurricanes than any other state in the United States. However, the Panhandle has experienced only one Category 5 storm in history. Paired with hurricane preparedness measures, Florida residents learn how to avoid being impacted by severe hurricane threats.
Distance to Major Metro Hubs
The Florida Panhandle is far from any major metropolitan hubs. The closest major city is Tallahassee, which, despite being Florida’s capital, is a smaller state capital than most. This makes no difference for those seeking retirement in the Florida Panhandle, but it can be an issue for those in the workforce. Though living in the Florida Panhandle prevents you from being a short commute to major cities, there are airports in the area to get you across the state, country, or world in no time.
New Construction Homes in Florida Panhandle
Do the pros and cons of living in the Florida Panhandle have you itching to experience the lifestyle for yourself? Brock Built has three community opportunities for you to explore!
Twin Palms, located in Inlet Beach, is just minutes from the surf and sand of Inlet Beach and shops and dining at Rosemary Beach. Three-story, five-bedroom homes bring spectacular living to the area with space for entertaining and quiet retreats for winding down. You can’t miss the incredible aerial views of 30A from the private rooftop terraces!
Nestled between the beach and the bay, Brizo is an intimate community less than 5 minutes from the water at Choctawhatchee Bay and close to nearby beach access in Santa Rosa Beach. Two-story floor plans feature tall ceilings and luxury finishes like a gourmet kitchen and a spacious owner’s retreat.
The Shoal is a hidden gem of just 30 homesites in Santa Rosa Beach, featuring one and two-story homes sharing common gathering areas and green space throughout the community. Single-family plans exude coastal living with plenty of room to entertain guests.
After reading the pros and cons of living in the Florida Panhandle, if you’re ready to make your move, get in touch with our team! Schedule a tour at one of our Florida Panhandle communities to see what’s new.