Pensacola, Florida — One of the Heartbeats of America

Continued from home page

A community full of energy and spirit, Pensacola is Escambia County’s tucked-away pride. It’s wonderfully free of the busyness that can be overwhelming in other parts of the state. And Pensacola offers ample opportunity to appreciate its diverse and colorful history. It’s the “City of Five Flags,” preserved in the Colonial Archaeological Trails, the remains of Fort George and Fort Barrancas and the fantastic re-creations of the 400+ years that shaped the city into the gem it is today. Tours highlight and commemorate important houses in the area including the 1820 Barkley, the 1871 Dorr and the 1920 Manuel Barrios. While plenty of stories can be found at St. Michael’s Cemetery, where markers date back to the 1780s, the entire region is rich with artifacts still being found into the 21st century!

Outdoor enthusiasts have gorgeous scenery and fabulous weather in a city whose people are unpretentious and accessible. Beauty defines Pensacola FL, where homes for sale are gateways to nature and athletic pursuits, offering terrains, sights and discoveries for all interests and levels of expertise. Pensacola Beach is perfect year round, with kids trying boogie and surf boards during the summer and residents indulging in boardwalk strolls and bicycle rides during the fall when temperatures range in the mid 70s.

At Perdido Key, you can break in your irons at Marcus Pointe Golf Club, take your fishing boat out for a spin from Holiday Harbor Marina, lounge on the pristine sands or see if the dolphins will make an appearance. Quietwater is as its name suggests, where there is less fanfare for those seeking quaint little picnic spots. Big Lagoon State Recreation Area is another nook to enjoy the serene environment. The coves throughout Pensacola are an underwater photographer’s delight, and places such as Gulf Islands National Seashore provide a migratory hotspot for herons, nesting grounds for sea turtles and settlements for otters and armadillos!

Naval Ties That Echo Community Camaraderie

Pensacola FL real estate is built on a love for the area that locals clearly express. Although it’s a community that welcomes everyone, Pensacola is not a destination overrun with tourists. Vacation homes most often are family owned rather than investor owned. And with a prominent Navy presence at Corry Station, Saufley Field and the Blue Angels’ home base at Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS), a strong kinship easily develops among residents. It’s amazing to think that the NAS—which started with less than ten planes and ten officers—is today responsible for thousands in military and civilian employment. Popular homes for many of the families at the Naval Air and Operational Medical Institute or the Technical Training Center are waterfront properties like Martinique on the Bayou condos and homes with the spacious backyards found at Airway Oaks and Avondale.

Opportunities for Advanced Learning

Continuing education can’t get any better, especially with Pensacola’s combination of superior instruction and peaceful woodland surroundings. The University of West Florida’s Pensacola campus is a painting for every season. The highly acclaimed school takes honors with its mock trial, journalism and logistics teams and is renowned for its underwater and terrestrial archeology programs.

Pensacola State College is another formidable option, offering advanced degrees in nursing and administration, certifications to stay current in the corporate and technological fields and a Visual Arts Department often scouted by other prestigious colleges. Recreation opportunities also abound, with water fitness and art classes for all ages as well as the Pirates’ men’s and women’s sports tournaments.

A Thriving Cultural Life

Community gatherings happen almost daily in downtown Pensacola, the center of activity no matter what your energy level. From May through October, Palafox Market serves as a common meet-up location for local food growers selling their produce and local artisans selling unique crafts. Plaza de Luna is a highlight for an evening outing. Restored landmarks at Seville Square constantly impress. And live music livens up everyone’s social calendar.

Free events keep neighbors out and about to share in all of the delightful talent that Pensacola nurtures. The annual Crawfish and Seafood Festivals celebrate local resources and the multi-culinary flair that make the city a dining mecca. You can travel the world without venturing far from the dazzling shorelines just by savoring the steakhouse fare, fiery jambalaya, sushi, roasted wild game, Cajun po’boys and baskets of delectable homemade hush puppies!

Exactly Where You Want to Be

You’ll find Pensacola FL homes are every bit as special as their subdivision names indicate—Myrtle Grove, Beulah, Lillian Woods and Coral Creek, to name a few. Retaining traces of Creole, Victorian and Spanish influences—and ranging from Southern delicacy to cutting-edge nouveau—anything and everything is imaginable. Whether searching for a home to have all to yourself, raise your children in, devote to a new profession or pursuit or simply make as your guaranteed getaway, you’re sure to find it in Pensacola.

It’s the city where you really can live the life you always wanted. So, do not settle for anything less than one of Steward Real Estate’s handpicked experienced agents to successfully guide you through the home buying process. Call or email us today, and let’s get your exciting journey started.