Full time residents

A "regular" person's point of view who has spent 30 years vacationing or living in and around Grayton Beach:

The reason we bought across the bay in DeFuniak Springs is because for what we could afford at the time, we could either buy a crappy trailer in South Walton/Freeport or a refurbished 95 year old, 2500 sq. foot home on almost an acre downtown. My husband and I (both employed in the arts) had lived in SoWal for about six years (renting separately and then together.)

I commute every day to take my son to Butler Elementary (he's been there since Kindergarten so we didn't transfer him) and then to work in Seaside. Similar to what CCK said about the "regular people" commuting to the city? I can only speak for myself, though. A lot of people in my demographic bought when you could still get a great home for under $150k.

But even small "starter homes" in DeFuniak are in the $250k range, hardly affordable housing for most, as SJ pointed out earlier.

Also, we have the luxury of going to the Grayton family house regularly, even for overnighters when we have too much going on in South Walton in a single weekend. No complaints!

I think there will be an increasing number of nature-loving, laid back retirees heading to the area for long periods of time during fall/winter/spring and maybe year round in the coming 20 years. It seems pretty undiscovered by retirees and there are plenty who will trade off the warmest weather in southern Florida for the beauty of this area (especially if they're coming from an area that's 20 degrees in the winter, 60 degrees will feel very nice). Renting for long periods of time in the winter is so inexpensive, though, I think many of the retirees will be renters.

Shelly, I not disputing what you say, but I do have a question for you. In large cities--San Francisco, New York, Miami, Chicago, D.C., Boston--it is much more expensive to live than in SoWal. Yet, these larger cities do not have shortages of teachers, cops, and grocery clerks.

Two reasons: Public transportation and older neighborhoods.

SoWal doesn't compare to those cities you mentioned above...SoWal is a VERY NEW area--carved out of pine trees and filled in wetlands not so very long ago. Older homes/trailers and neighborhoods were bought up or mowed down for new developments. Developers were interested only in one thing--high profits. They couldn't care less if the folks moving to the area could find services--until just recently (as RE is slowing down) they're "thinking" about this issue as prospective buyers and local residents start questioning why decent service is hard to find or local businesses are closing (trouble finding staff?).

As for folks commuting from Alabama to take jobs in SoWal--that will come to a screeching halt when the US government starts releasing $$$ and rebuilding from Katrina kicks into high gear next year.

As for folks commuting from Alabama to take jobs in SoWal--that will come to a screeching halt when the US government starts releasing $$$ and rebuilding from Katrina kicks into high gear next year.

People will come from all over to do that.

We live in The Grove by the Sea - and couldn't think of living elsewhere. Fortunately, we bought out lot in 2000 and built in 2002. I think about maybe between 1/4 and 1/3 are full time residents. Our neighbors are the greatest.

There is plenty to do here and I am happy with the Publix and want nothing more.

I would rather drive to a place in another city - Destin or PC - than have something at my back door and everyone coming here. I don't want to live near Big Kahuna. I love the peacefull, easy feeling.......of our area here. That's what makes this area so great!!!

Steeleing1, I saw the guy that married you in some pics posted by SJ and I didn't recognize him with a tie and suit on!!! Told him this today and he said he still didn't have a belt on!!!

Unfortunately, Walton County doesn't keep the best records on number of residents and don't keep at all records on number of businesses since licenses are not required.

I suppose you could use the census report, but the last one was in 2000 and things have changed drastically since then. The tax office would be a better way to go, but I'm not sure they have public data as to how many homes are listed as homstead.

There is absolutely NO way to separate North and South Walton unless you have the name of EVERY street in each section and go street to street with the tax office, if those records are available.

When trying to determine how many folks live in South Walton, you also need to take into consideration that some of what we consider South Walton and the 30-A area is located in Bay County too. For example, Inlet Beach.

The biggest shocker is there is no business license required in Walton County, so there is NO record of the number of operating businesses.

If I hadn't said so earlier, Welcome aboard Yippie! Interesting stuff you bring up about census and business licenses. Gives me pause and also helps explain how maybe some of the "monkey" business happens in Walton County.

I have a couple of questions for the full time residents. I am so happy for all of you that have made the permanent move from "former" lives and find yourself living the dream of so many posters on this board! Where did you move from? Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to move to paradise...are you retired or if you still work, is your job tied into the local economy? I am not trying to get too personal, just very curious (like a cat!).

If I hadn't said so earlier, Welcome aboard Yippie! Interesting stuff you bring up about census and business licenses. Gives me pause and also helps explain how maybe some of the "monkey" business happens in Walton County.

I have a couple of questions for the full time residents. I am so happy for all of you that have made the permanent move from "former" lives and find yourself living the dream of so many posters on this board! Where did you move from? Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to move to paradise...are you retired or if you still work, is your job tied into the local economy? I am not trying to get too personal, just very curious (like a cat!).

I work full time here and moved for work, from a major city which is why I miss amenities and choice. I think it may be too simplistic to dismiss concerns about variety of services by just stating that if one craves those things then one should just be in a larger city and allow those who want laid back economy to remain. And everyone please understand that I have no desire to see big box retail or chain restaurants to move in or larger dept stores, etc... just services that can help those of us who do live and work here. Not a black and white issue but I remain pessimistic about fate of smaller, much needed businesses because of real estate prices, and if they continue to escalate however modestly, it will be harder for these businesses to succeed.

Unfortunately, Walton County doesn't keep the best records

I suppose you could use the census report, but the last one was in 2000 and
When trying to determine how many folks live in South Walton, you also need to take into consideration that some of what we consider South Walton and the 30-A area is located in Bay County too. For example, Inlet Beach.

The biggest shocker is there is no business license required in Walton County, so there is NO record of the number of operating businesses.

Inlet Beach is Walton County. The county line is just west of Camp Helen State Park. There are no homes/developments in the small area of Bay County that is west of the Lake Powell Bridge, except for Camp Helen.

There is a large area between Lake Powell and Camp Creek Lake on 30-A that has a Panama City Beach zip code (32413), and our mail is sorted at the PCB post office next to Wal-Mart. But it is Walton County. There are other areas of Walton County that also have the zip codes of out-of-county towns where their mail is sorted.

Inlet Beach is Walton County. The county line is just west of Camp Helen State Park. There are no homes/developments in the small area of Bay County that is west of the Lake Powell Bridge, except for Camp Helen.

There is a large area between Lake Powell and Camp Creek Lake on 30-A that has a Panama City Beach zip code (32413), and our mail is sorted at the PCB post office next to Wal-Mart. But it is Walton County. There are other areas of Walton County that also have the zip codes of out-of-county towns where their mail is sorted.

I think Yippie was trying to say that searching by using Santa Rosa Beach zip does not work.

I have a way to get the info based on subdivision and homesteaded residential property, but I do not feel the need is there. In the subdivisions mentioned the overall percentage of homesteaded property is very low.

I'd never tell anyway - might be the tax man!

Thanks for all the help while we were in indianapolis - back home, warm and happy - missed stopping by - we got totally lost - again! - this time trying to get to the 38th street mall from westfield

One service I couldn't find was a laundromat. I wanted to find some big washing machines and dryers for quilts and ended up go far into Panama city before I found one. Does anyone know where the closest one is? Thanks.

One service I couldn't find was a laundromat. I wanted to find some big washing machines and dryers for quilts and ended up go far into Panama city before I found one. Does anyone know where the closest one is? Thanks.

There is a laudromat in the east end of the strip mall where the Santa Rosa Beach Post Office is located, on Hwy 98 about 1 mile west of Hwy 393.

There is a laudromat in the east end of the strip mall where the Santa Rosa Beach Post Office is located, on Hwy 98 about 1 mile west of Hwy 393.

SJ...you are a walking, talking book of yellow pages!!! No one here will EVER need to be stumped again...ask and someone will lead you in the right direction! What a great place this SoWal.com is!!!!