It's on the list..

Pensacola and the Gulf Islands

As you may know, I’m traveling around the country in search of my “Downtown Disney” or a place I will call home. My first stop was in Pensacola and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. I visited the historic downtown area for a day a few years ago and I fell in love with it. There was a farmers market, musicians in the street and the architecture was reminiscent of the New Orleans French Quarter. The streets weren’t cobblestone but there were other aspects that ticked many of my boxes. They have a cultural center, there’s a prominent art scene, lots of non-chain restaurants and shops, and it’s just a bridge ride over to the beautiful beaches. But the downside for me is, Pensacola isn’t a quaint town or village. It’s a pretty big city outside of the historic downtown and it has an interstate and freeways winding through it. After living and commuting to work in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta, I decided that I never wanted to live where I needed to hop on an interstate or freeway in order to do my daily life. However, the biggest upside to living in Pensacola would be the proximity and accessibility to the shore.

Before I left on this adventure of discovery, I lived in one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the world, in my opinion. The sand is white like sugar and the water is as clear as a pool. I considered it paradise. It’s called 30A or Santa Rosa Beach in the panhandle of Florida. It’s a 24 mile stretch of land that hugs the shores of the gulf along scenic hwy 30A, where it gets it’s name. 30A includes 13 unique communities that tick off a lot of my boxes… and there are no interstate highways (but getting stuck behind a golf cart going a max speed of 20 mph is enough to make you wish there was a massive freeway to hop onto). 30A seemed magical. I even wrote a travel guide book about it. (click here to learn more). However, the reason I didn’t stay and marked it off my list to live… it’s a tourist destination and the locals hardly get to enjoy those gorgeous beaches (the reason most of want to live there) from March through October. If you attempt to enjoy it during those times, you’ll need amazing luck and timing trying to find a parking spot. It was so frustrating to not be able to enjoy the beaches during the time of year we all want relief from the heat. This is why Pensacola is on the list of potential places I may settle in… it’s accessibility to the area beaches. Imagine my surprise when I was visiting during spring break and there were literally miles of empty beaches and parking lots. Having had the good fortune to travel to many coasts around the world, I have NEVER seen so many parking spots and empty beaches. Oh and these beaches are an extension of the beautiful 30A beaches and equally as stunning.

Look at that, 1 person, during spring break in Florida. Those photos are from one of many public beaches that are part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. From Navarre to Perdido Key, there are miles of sugar sand beaches and clear waters. Of course there are areas that were more crowded like Pensacola Beach where the hotels, condos, shops and restaurants are located, but even their parking lots weren’t full. Another positive aspect is that there are designated dog beaches, which 30A doesn’t have.

I can’t stop thinking about it. For me, being by the shore is magical and healing and I can feel the pull to be near it. Having friends in nearby towns is an added bonus and another great reason to put the Pensacola area on my list.