Best Santa Rosa Neighborhoods--for families

dunelover, before anyone can really answer your question, we must first know more what defines your sense of nighborhood. The only thing you really mention is price point and looks of houses. Tell us what things you look for in a neighborhood in which you would like to live. What things are on your top five list? Everyone seems to have their own flavor of neighborhood, and unless we know your flavor of amenities and such, we will not know which one might work best for you.

Thanks SJ, I can appreciate that. Outside of price and style, the following are important.
1. Big % of permanent residents---kids
2. Pool at the house, or community
3. Biggest yard as possible---no 40 x 90 --we have to have room to play catch.
4. Interactive community of neighbors
5. Close proximity of commercial/industrial warehouse area
6. Interior that doesn't require remodel/update--no time for that in paradise.
7. Active Hoa and good covenants/restrictions
8. No flood insurance required
9. w/in 15 minutes of beach (30A)
10. Visually pleasing, well maintained.

Ok Sj, do you wish you hadn't asked? I don't know, we may be dreaming, or seem like impossible buyers, but I hope not. We will be looking in August in conjuncition w/ our vacation, but holding off buying until February-April time frame. We don't want to move our business until then. So, the plan is to narrow down the neighborhoods, see if we want to buy or build.

We are used to a small, friendly suburb of OKC w/ good schools and REALLY Affordable housing. It is amazing to see what 450K would buy here!!! Yikes!! WE are excited to trade our heat, red-dirt, wind, and tornadoes--oh yea, snow too, for the beauty of SoWal.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Regarding #6, it's not the flood insurance that should worry you. It is the wind insurance.

dunelover, your additional criteria just saved you looking at about 70% of properties, narrowing your field greatly, which I think will save you much time in looking at properties which you don't want. ;-) While you may not find the property which fits all of your needs, it is likely that you will find one which will fit many of your needs.

Dunelover,

You're the folks with the Balance Beam manufacturing company...right?

Have you found any commerical/warehouse space yet?

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Regarding #6, it's not the flood insurance that should worry you. It is the wind insurance.

Thanks Jdarg, Is there a way to estimate that on a given property?

dunelover, your additional criteria just saved you looking at about 70% of properties, narrowing your field greatly, which I think will save you much time in looking at properties which you don't want. ;-) While you may not find the property which fits all of your needs, it is likely that you will find one which will fit many of your needs.

Thanks SJ, I hope so.

Dunelover,

You're the folks with the Balance Beam manufacturing company...right?

Have you found any commerical/warehouse space yet?

.

You got it Shelly. We have been watching some on loopnet, and think there are possibilities in Freeport, Santa Rosa Beach, and possibly Panama City...Havn't heard too much talk of commercial on this site, so I have steered away from asking these folks. We will look at that in August as well.

You got it Shelly. We have been watching some on loopnet, and think there are possibilities in Freeport, Santa Rosa Beach, and possibly Panama City...Havn't heard too much talk of commercial on this site, so I have steered away from asking these folks. We will look at that in August as well.

As I recall, in addition to finding commercial space for your business, you stated that you would need to hire workers as well. IMO, during your August visit, finding commercial space in proximity to affordable housing options for your workers should be your highest priority (hint: Santa Rosa Beach isn't one of them.) . After your business location is established, only then should you consider neighborhoods that fit your criteria and are within a comfortable commuting distance from your business. You can even rent a place for a while (as your business gets up and running) to give your selected neighborhood a test drive.


Finding a suitable, affordable location for your business is going to be more difficult than finding a home.


Best of luck.

Saying it again- Mossy Head. A growing population up there because there is affordable housing, and a lot of them would love to work close to home instead of driving all the way to the beach to work. Plus, you've got a convenient I-10 exit right there.

My children just bought in Magnolia Creek. I think this is one of the best kept secrets being a straight shot to the beach.
The price was affordable, a small "gated" community, individual style homes, huge backyards, and most of all kid friendly.