Homes in Crestview Florida?

**seacliffes** · 04-19-2008, 02:33 PM

Would like to hear some opinions or information on homes in Crestview. My thoughts are that since it is located 30 miles inland, it has a bit more hurricane resistance that would be beneficial to a home owner who does not want to evacuate or cannot evacuate all of their valuables with each approaching hurricane. I for example have a large sports memorabilia collection that I obviously cannot relocate to my beach house near Sandestin (would not all fit anyway). I have looked at some of the Whitworth built homes in a couple new subdivisions they are developing up there and they look pretty good. Any thoughts on them or any other builders up there?

**wrobert** · 04-19-2008, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by seacliffes

Would like to hear some opinions or information on homes in Crestview. My thoughts are that since it is located 30 miles inland, it has a bit more hurricane resistance that would be beneficial to a home owner who does not want to evacuate or cannot evacuate all of their valuables with each approaching hurricane. I for example have a large sports memorabilia collection that I obviously cannot relocate to my beach house near Sandestin (would not all fit anyway). I have looked at some of the Whitworth built homes in a couple new subdivisions they are developing up there and they look pretty good. Any thoughts on them or any other builders up there?

Traffic is awful. Homeowners rates are still high since Okaloosa is a coastal county. Why not look at some of the nicer homes in DeFuniak Springs? Holiday Builders has a nice subdivision next to an elementary school and several others are starting to be built.

We are getting a Lowes so it is not going to be that bad living here.

**beachmouse** · 04-19-2008, 03:18 PM

Whitworth's decent for a McBuilder. Definitely better than Henry, though I'd put Adams and Key Lime a little ahead of them. Schools are generally better than what you'd get in DFS. (Antioch Elementary's a real gem) The people I know that live there generally love their homes but loathe the commute into FWB or base. Area's frequently known for affordable housing for young military families, and the military folks usually make for good neighbors. Commercial development is catching up with the residential boom, and it's good they've got a Publix in town now.

By going that far inland, you also lose a little of the Gulf's moderating influence on weather. Winter overnight lows are colder and summer daytime highs are hotter.

In terms of traffic, a lot of it depends on whether you're having to do the Crestview 500 down Highway 85 every day. If you're not, it's generally tolerable.

**seacliffes** · 04-19-2008, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the comments so far. I should have provided a little more information in that my wife and I are retired and no commute is necessary except for recreation at the beach

. So traffic is really not a big issue. Last child is in college so we are done with the school worries. I do like the divided highway between Crestview and the Sandestin area ie. HWY 85 to midbay bridge etc.

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Whitworth's decent for a McBuilder. Definitely better than Henry, though I'd put Adams and Key Lime a little ahead of them. Schools are generally better than what you'd get in DFS. (Antioch Elementary's a real gem) The people I know that live there generally love their homes but loathe the commute into FWB or base. Area's frequently known for affordable housing for young military families, and the military folks usually make for good neighbors. Commercial development is catching up with the residential boom, and it's good they've got a Publix in town now.

By going that far inland, you also lose a little of the Gulf's moderating influence on weather. Winter overnight lows are colder and summer daytime highs are hotter.

In terms of traffic, a lot of it depends on whether you're having to do the Crestview 500 down Highway 85 every day. If you're not, it's generally tolerable.

**jodiFL** · 04-19-2008, 08:45 PM

By going that far inland, you also lose a little of the Gulf's moderating influence on weather. Winter overnight lows are colder and summer daytime highs are hotter.

This is so true... it actually SNOWS in Crestview.

**3suns** · 04-22-2008, 05:04 PM

I live in Crestview and have for the past 2 years. I really like our home it is an Adams, fine for now. We are south of I-10 and I like the location. The traffic is light UNLESS you are south of I-10 going north at 3-7pm, then it is amazing slow! The town is small and it seems that I have to leave town to get to most places (except Walmart and Lowes). So count in the gas factor if you like to shop in different places. I can always get to the base in 25 minutes or less. I think you can get a lot for your money, especially these days. The weather does get a little cold but my banana plants survive the winter, although I haven't experienced the snow. We have the plywood cut for the windows but haven't used it yet. I think the thing around here to worry about is tornadoes, but good luck preparing for that. We have friends that bought the new Horton homes and they are not too pleased. There are a lot of younger families that are south of I-10, although there are some retired military as well. Overall, living here is fine it is too far from the beach for me, as we have just purchased property in Seacrest. Good Luck with your search.

**SWGB** · 04-22-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by jodiFL

This is so true... it actually SNOWS in Crestview.

Yep Watch the weather, Crestview is always the extreme in about a 500 mile radius. That's based on 25+/- years of watching the weather.

It was actually explained that it has something to do with the geology of the area.

**beachmouse** · 04-22-2008, 06:17 PM

One thing that DFS does have that Crestview seems to lack is a nice stock of Victorian era homes. The area around the lake is very pretty, and there are some beautifully maintained and/or restored properties that come on the market every so often. So if you're up to the demands and quirks of an older home, it's a good place to look in that regard.

**DuneLaker** · 04-23-2008, 05:23 PM

The only death from Hurricane Opal in 1995 was from a tornado in Crestview. We didn't even lose a single shingle from a house built in 1989 and had no water damage at all. At least we don't have earthquakes here like they do near Memphis. Dang, the softball size hail near Dallas will sure knock your socks off. Add a little terror in New York City and LA. With high prices in other European and Asian countries, the safety and prices of the Emerald Coast start to look really good. At least you know when a Hurricane is coming and can build and buy somewhat for the event.

**tebo** · 04-23-2008, 06:57 PM

From what I have read in northwest coastal newspapers you may want to check on the crime rate for Crestview. But good luck in any case.

**tsutcli** · 04-24-2008, 10:50 AM

You might want to check out Bluewater Bay on 20. A really nice community and close to the Mid-Bay bridge for easy acess to Destin/Sandestin for shopping, dining etc..

**beachmouse** · 04-24-2008, 12:00 PM

aka my neck of the swamp. In terms of hurricane issues, a lot of the bad trees (shortleaf pines and such) got taken out by Ivan or shortly after, and my neighborhood was the 1% of Okaloosa County that never lost power during the storm. And there are a good number of neighborhoods that are 40 feet above sea level in Flood Zone X.

Takes me less than ten minutes to get to a Destin beach, and a little more than a half hour to get to Grayton. It's a lot more pedestrian and bike friendly than what you'd find in the View. Pretty much zero violent crime outside of the odd domestic violence situation.

According to the real estate flyers that show up in my mailbox, going rate is about $150/sf for a home that will be on a good-sized lot, and is well maintained, but probably still has some of the original early 80s decor. (Lots of military families that keep the house clean, but don't want to remodel much when they're moving in three years anyways)