Hi! My Husband and I vacationed in Destin this year for the first time and absolutely fell in love with it!

I was wondering if I could get some feedback on what it's really like to live there year round.

I have managed a yacht club and marina for the past 5 years, so, I'm hoping I can find work there in the same field.

Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks

Dear Gucci. Like most of the people that are familiar with our area you came to love it during a vacation. Living here year round offers you a greater chance to love this place even more than just a few days of vacations time. With the exception of the occasional Tropical Storm or Hurricane it is as close to Paradise that you can find. I've lived here going on 16 years and would not consider living anywhere else. The cost of living here is reasonable but can be a bit on the upscale side, depending on your budgets. During the SEASON which begins right about the time of Spring Break and ends on Labor day, you can expect prices to be just a little steeper than in the off season, as well as the crowds. But it's something we have grown used to when residing in a vacation town. With your experience in the marina business I don't think you will have a problem finding any work. But don't be too suprised to find that some of the wages here are a bit lower than you would find in other regions of the country. But then again the trade off is a one of a kind sunset over the gulf of mexico while enjoying some Red Snapper that was caught in the gulf that very morning. Our area is growing as is most of the costal portions of the panhandle but not too much. The schools here are constantly listed as some of the best in the state. We have two very large military bases here and they provide us with a constant influx of peoples and customs from around the world. For the size of our town we do have some GREAT places to eat. Outside of the French Quarter in New Orleans this has got to be one of the best resturant towns I've ever lived in. From French, to Cajun, Thai, Itallian, Greek and Steak Houses you name it and you can probably order it here. One of my biggest pleasures is to wait until just after labor day when the crowds have died down, and just take a short 10 minute drive to the Gulf of Mexico where I like to just sit and watch schools of Dolphin play and feed about 50-75 feet from the shorline. Great show and it's free. and no I dont work for the Chamber of Commerce. Sorry this is so wordy. If you enjoyed vacationing here then living here full time will be a great pleasure. Enjoy Destin but try to keep it a secret. Jim. M.