Have been going to PCB for over 40 years but it will soon end. My husband & I just returned and we had a great time, but when they go completely to high-rise condos then we will NOT be going. Right now we rent a lovely condo on the beach that is only 3 levels. We either get a garden level or (above them) a townhouse and they are lovely. Hopefully, they will remain but if PCB goes to high-rises only then we WON'T be going. HATE THEM!!! This is the last year that the Breakers will be standing. Very sad to see what they're doing to the beaches. The old hotels should have been torn down, but I truly think the high-rises are a big mistake. Can't believe I'm the only persons that HATES staying above the 3rd or 4th floor and riding ELEVATORS to the beach. UGHHH We usually go twice a year but are looking at other places in Florida that are not becoming so commercial so that we can purchase something. NOT A HIGH-RISE! We go on vacation to get AWAY from the city....not to another one! If we wanted to do that we could go to Vegas, New York, Chicago, etc. UGHHHH

:)
but how do you really feel Dianne?
seriously, all opinions are welcome. everybody needs to vent sometimes. I suspect you'll find that others feel similarly.
Welcome aboard!

I hate it too Dianne. The high rises block the view of the Gulf and they're too expensive. You have condos on one side of the street and six story parking garages on the other, you do feel like your driving through a city. Thank God we have Middle and Back Beach Road to bypass all the construction sites. I guess they want it to be like Destin. I like to drive over to Destin and spend the day, but I don't want to stay there.

As a native, I agree with lots of the sentiment, but... remember... the 'condo strip' is just part of Panama City Beach... we have miles and miles and MILES of totally pristine natural beaches... Shell Island is beautiful and uninhabited... Our state park is beautiful...

and, remember... some of us are hanging in there - holding on to the 'old' Florida. Schooners and Pineapple Willy's... Spinnaker and Boatyard... Capt. Anderson's and the good ole Treasure Ship... plus, we've got a real jewel down in old St. Andrews, and our state park is gorgeous.

You can still walk down to the beach, wiggle your toes in the sand and splash around in the incredible caribbean aquamarine water... you can still grab a waterfront table and a cold beer and RELAX! You can rent a boat and spend a day on the island or cruising up and down the beach...

You kinda have to think of it like New Orleans ... there's Bourbon Street and it's not pretty, but one block over is Royal Street... full of quiet character and rich with the real character of New Orleans. I avoid Bourbon Street in New Orleans unless I'm in the mood for crowds. I avoid Condo Alley in Panama City Beach unless I'm in the mood for crowds!

I tend to agree about the highrise condos but unfortunately it is all about the money. It seems that Peeks, has been here forever, is going away at the end of this year...again about the money. Sadly, the older places have gotten terribly run down and the owners are not willing, or cannot afford, to upgrade them.

We stayed last 3 years in June at Sterling Beach Resort and it is a great place. We are here this week at Legacy by the Sea...touted as condos but only glorified hotel rooms.

By the way...the seaweed is horrible this week.

The seaweed was pretty bad a couple of weeks ago too but I thought it was clearing up just before we left. Hate to see The Breakers close after this year but we actually spend more time in Destin than we do in PCB since we stay at the extreme west end of the beach (Sunny Side). Hope to keep staying there since I don't think they plan on tearing them down any time soon. I know it's about the money, but wonder if a lot of people will find other beaches that aren't so developed. We used to go to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami until it became metropolitan. Then Daytona. Now we're back to PCB. Don't know where we'll go from here.????? We like to get AWAY from people except for dinners. LOL Do like Pompano's, Bill's Crabhouse, and the Black Angus (just across the Hathaway Bridge is wonderful. Since they passed the no smoking in Florida we've saved a LOT of money because we don't have cocktails anymore in restaurants. Hard to have wine or a drink without smoking. ughhh We did pay over $50 for the worst meal I have ever had in my life at Casa de Fogo.....it was truly laughable. The people were so nice that we didn't even complain....just didn't eat and paid and got out of there. ughhh

I agree completely. We love to go to Destin but don't want to stay there!

I love New Orleans to party, but we come to PCB to relax and, at this time, the west end of the beach is still nice. Hope it stays that way. We only come to relax so we sunbath for 2-3 hours, have lunch, drive to Destin to shop, and then have a nice dinner somewhere....then stop at the Fudge Factory and have an ice cream cone. LOL We also shop Liz & Janes and Alvin's Island shops in PCB. Love the Beach Scene shop over on Middle Beach or Back Beach Road.....they have such lovely things. We will NEVER stay in one of the highrises because we truly hate them. The condo we rent on the beach cost $1,565 for the week but is well worth it. They are exceptionally clean and all except one that we stayed in are decorated beautifully. (I think the one was owned by a MAN and he needed help with the decorating. LOL) But it was clean! We've done all the Shell Island, etc., stuff and have tired of doing that. We do try to get in some golf though at Bay Point, Lagoon, etc. Didn't mean to write so much, but I talk and type fast. LOL

As I read your feelings about our beach, I understand your frustrations with the current projects going on. I also, as a resident of the beach, know that we cannot "stay the same". Panama City Beach, for many, many years, has been an affordable, even "cheap" vacation spot for those on a budget. Yes, there are the rich among you who say otherwise. These "budget" visitors coming from Alabama, Georgia and other close places, who bring there coolers full of food for the weekend and sleep in their cars in the County Pier parking lot. If you don't spend money here, we cannot repair roads, and do other things needed for our infrastructure. Many of you complain about the former and presnt motels and hotels. The owners, mostly Indian, would not spend any of their precious dollars to paint, put new furniture, update televisions etc. and Front Beach Road was becoming and eyesore and also a haven for criminals and drug users/dealers. The small motels, i.e. Hotel California etc, was having weekly drug busts, right on our main road! This condo construction will bring in a better breed of visitors to our beach, and drive out the scours. So, to end my ramblings, if you like Destin, go to Destin, see if you can go on their private beaches, and if you want to go somewhere else in Florida, because you dont like us anymore, then go. We still have the local flavor, wonderful people, great shopping, awsome State Parks, and colorful condos. Just come and enjoy us and complain about not being able to live here. Thats your only legitimate complaint.
Have a great day!!!

Reading over your 4 posts, I noticed that you had 4 references to "HATE", 4 "Ughhs" are a drinker, smoker, and like being AWAY from people. Is there anything you do enjoy? I hope that you and your husband find a place to buy...far away from here, as that is NOT what we enjoy about the beach.

Being a native Memphian & never really getting to enjoy annual vacations, Stitch, my fiance who has been going to PCB for the past 15 yrs. thought he'd turn me on to the beautiful PCB experience. Ever since since then, I've been hooked!!! I've been there three times now & can't seem to get enough.

I don't care that there are frequent tropical storms/ hurricaines. Perhaps, because I've never been through one. Maybe my opinion will change, but the pros outweigh the cons. We're willing to take that chance. We're constantly fantasizing about living there. Just concerned about the job market.

Anyway, we're coming down there Sept. 10-17. Sure hope the hurricaines hold off, if not, I'll be devistated!!!!!!!! We are going to make this dream a reality!!
Hopefully, we'll find jobs & a reasonably priced piece of real estate.

Come on down!! We love people who love being here. That's what makes the beach so great. The people who live here are the greatest on earth. They will help you with any problems you have. You can always tell who the locals are!

WOOWOO for the fellow locals! we are teh win

Welcome to the boards riflemesa... always great to see another local in here.

And welcome back Kasket.

Stitch - be sure and visit Lobster Fest at Schooners while you're here. You'll be glad you did. There will be lots of locals to meet if you're planning on moving here.

I have been dreaming about moving down to PCB for 6 years. I'm also worried about the job market. Does anyone have any links to local job postings? I would greatly appreciate any help that I can get. Maybe I can make the dream a reality!