8 Best Places To Live On Florida's Emerald Coast

Want to see jewel-toned waters every morning without spending a fortune? You should visit Florida's Emerald Coast. You've probably heard of its cities like Destin and Fort Walton Beach, but the media frequently ignores these seaside towns in favor of locations like Miami and Sarasota.

Unofficially known as "The Emerald Coast," this stretch of Florida's northern Gulf Coast is renowned for its spectacular scenery, turquoise waters, and white-sand beaches. Those who find it frequently return. Sugar-white sands, emerald-green clean waters, plenty of beach access, and that laid-back beach town attitude are all features you'd expect from a Florida lifestyle. This region provides both locals and visitors with a wide range of options, from Santa Rosa Island to Shalimar.

Check out the top eight spots to live on Florida's Emerald Coast if you want to be close to a lovely shoreline with a low cost of living.

Santa Rosa Island

If you're searching for some rest and beauty, this island paradise off the coast of Pensacola is perfect. At a length of 47 miles, Santa Rosa is one of the longest barrier islands in the US. Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay are shielded by the island from storms and severe winds.

Its remarkable variation for seaside life results from its length as an island. Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore are first on the west. Navarre Beach is in the center. The region known as Okaloosa Island, which is geographically part of Santa Rosa, is to be found to the east.

Despite having roads on most of the island, the US Air Force base prevents driving from one end of the island to the other. East of Navarre Beach, the island's roads come to an abrupt end.

Your primary food stores, shops, and entertainment venues are on Okaloosa Island or in the Pensacola Beach region.

Pensacola Beach's December median list price was $829,000 with only one listing. There were 91 houses for sale in Navarre Beach, with a median list price of $980,000.

Okaloosa Island

This area of the Santa Rosa barrier island is on its eastern side, just a few miles from Destin, and was deeded to Okaloosa County in the 1950s. About three miles make up Okaloosa. It is renowned for its expansive beaches, world-class fishing spots, and a broad variety of restaurants and resorts. There are numerous public access sites to the beach.

The resort hotels are among the biggest draws; visitors come here all year to enjoy the turquoise waters. There are other tourist attractions. At the Gulfarium, get up close and personal with the marine species that resides off the shore of Okaloosa Island. The performances of live dolphins are one of the attractions.

The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk is the place to be if you're seeking for delicious food and breathtaking vistas. From fish tacos to freshly caught Amberjack and Grouper that are grilled and offered gourmet dining, you may find seaside eating. You may also get a closer look at the day's catch by walking out 1,262 feet into the temperate Gulf seas from the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier for just $8.

Okaloosa Island has a wide range of housing choices, including condos, single-family homes, beachfront homes, and even opulent holiday villas. Live on the gulf or enjoy bayside views of Elgin Air Force Base and downtown Fort Walton Beach. With 189 listings, the median list price for December 2022 was $421,900.

Fort Walton Beach

On the peninsula, a little settlement called Fort Walton Beach is paradoxically devoid of any shoreline. It does offer breathtaking Choctawhatchee Bay vistas and a ton of waterfront access. Across the Miracle Strip Parkway and its bridge, Okaloosa Island and its beaches are waiting.

Many outdoor activities are available in the city, such as golfing, sailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and fishing. The northern part of the city is home to the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course. Fort Walton Mound, a former Native American temple mound that is now a National Historic Landmark, is also located there. The nearby Emerald Coast Science Center offers interactive science displays for visitors of all ages.

An arts and entertainment district has been created in Fort Walton Beach's historic downtown. Residents enjoy a wide variety of nearby restaurants and businesses to explore, all within walking distance of the waterfront parks. There are additional dining and retail opportunities at the neighboring Uptown Station Plaza Shopping Center.

With 343 properties, the median list price for December 2022 was $359,900. There were 12 distinct communities in Fort Walton Beach, ranging from bayfront luxury estates to condos and townhomes.

Niceville

Niceville is the place to go if you want to experience the Emerald Coast in a more relaxed manner. It is 10 miles north of Destin on the mainland, near the top of Choctawhatchee Bay, and close to Eglin Air Force Base.

Northwest Florida State College is located in Niceville, which is home to some of Florida's top educational institutions. It was declared the safest city in Florida by SafeWise in 2022, and Bloomberg ranked it one of the top Florida cities for raising children. It's not surprising that many families relocate here given the top-notch public education system and abundance of outdoor recreation options. Pick your favorite pastimes, like playing golf at Bluewater Bay or Elgin Golf Course.

Niceville has a suburban, small-town feel. Some homes are waterfront on the bay, which has an old Florida feel with cypresses and live oaks. Niceville has a wide range of housing options, from single-family homes to condos and townhomes. The median list price for December 2022 was $439,900, with 189 listings.

Destin

The resort town of Destin is the jewel of the Emerald Coast. There's a good reason why it's the Emerald Coast's most well-known vacation spot. The beautiful seaside real estate is teamed with a fantastic location for golfing, shopping, sailing, and other water sports.

At the tip of a peninsula is Destin. There is evidence of its early existence as a fishing village dating back to the seventh century.

The calm fishing community is no longer so peaceful. Each year, over a million visitors visit to take in the views of the Gulf of Mexico, Choctawhatchee Bay, or the east jetty. Big Kahuna Water Park, HarborWalk Village, and Destin Commons are all popular tourist destinations. Locals have plenty of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

One of Destin's treasures is Henderson Beach State Park. Together with a variety of beach-related activities like swimming, shelling, bird watching, and more, you can also take one of the four nature paths to view the local animals.

There are two renowned golf courses. There is a cause for Kelly Plantation Golf Club's enduring reputation as one of Destin's top golfing destinations. Its difficult gameplay and breathtaking seaside scenery are unparalleled. Between Destin and the South Walton Beaches, on the Choctawhatchee Bay, lies another famed golf course town called Emerald Bay.

By the Mid-Bay Toll Bridge, Destin is more directly connected to the mainland and has an executive airport.

The median list price for December 2022 was $659,900, with 690 listings. Destin has many housing options, from beachfront condos to luxurious waterfront homes.

Miramar Beach

The vacation destination of Miramar Beach is located east of Destin. The unincorporated area is situated between Sandestin and Destin, two well-known Emerald Coast cities. There are plenty of things to do in this area, from engaging in some shopping therapy at nearby antique stores to playing a few games of beach volleyball. You'll have a wide variety of food alternatives to choose from when it comes time to refuel.

Enjoy some waterfront activities or simply relax on the sand at the seaside. Get a bird's-eye perspective of the area by renting jet skis or by trying parasailing.

The three-mile-long Scenic Highway 98 Trail is a fantastic spot to work out; it's ideal for running or biking. The Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort is the best spot to stay if you enjoy tennis. It includes six clay championship courts with USPTA teaching staff that has won awards for their training.

Shopping is one of Miramar Beach's draws. A kid's play area, eateries, and more than 100 businesses can be found at Silver Sands Premium Outlets. An upmarket outdoor lifestyle mall including Hemline, Lilly Pulitzer, Williams Sonoma, and other well-known designers is located next to Grand Boulevard.

The median list price for December 2022 was $795,000, with 626 listings. Miramar Beach has a wide range of housing options, from condominiums to oceanfront luxury homes.

Shalimar

North of Destin and across the bay from Fort Walton Beach is a small village called Shalimar. In comparison to other adjacent communities, it offers the Emerald Coast lifestyle with less commotion.

Originally known as Port Dixie, it began to grow in support of the Elgin Air Force Base, which is situated close by and borders to the south. Compared to other Emerald Coast villages, it still has a more rural and suburban character while yet offering Bayfront and beachfront housing.

The median list price for December 2022 was $395,000, with 65 listings, making it one of the most affordable Emerald Coast neighborhoods.

Live on the Emerald Coast

Living on the Emerald Coast is certainly unique with everything it has to offer. Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and the other Emerald Coast communities all have something unique that makes these areas ideal places to live, whether you want a seaside retreat or an outdoor escape. Living on the Emerald Coast won't let you down, with its countless seaside attractions and activities as well as its abundant shopping options! Take your pick of the best offerings and connect with Tait Real Estate to start enjoying life on the Emerald Coast today!