Places to Live

[shakenbake]

So I'm moving to P'Cola here in the next three weeks (just got my orders). I have no idea where to even begin looking for places to live. If anyone has recommendations for specific places or areas, plus any info on what different areas are like, I would really appreciate it.

 

[TheBubba]

I live just out the back gate of NAS P-cola... decent area. There are quite a few arpartment complexes and housing developments there. Takes about 15 minutes to get to the API building.

Alot of people live up near the airport... a bit longer of a commute, but still nice areas.

I live in AustinWood Apartments... across the street is CountryWood at Blue angel... both nice places.

 

[FlyingSquidz]

so it isn't ghetto like out of the gates at 32nd street NAVSTA San Diego? Sweet!

 

[Gatordev]

Your profile says "SNA" so you might think at looking more towards the UWF area. That way if you get follow-on orders to Whiting, it's about half-way. If, however, you planned on moving after API regardless of where you go, then being closer to NPA would be better. Personally, I hate moving, so having to do it the fewest amount of times, the better for me.

 

[nugget81]

Perdido Key is a nice area to live, only about 10-15 mins outside the backgate. This probably wouldn't work if you're going to Whiting after API, however (too long a drive).

 

[S3b_viking]

I'm moving down there early June as well and was wondering if I should look into getting an appartment before I get down there or should I just go to the BOQ and try to sign the lease after I get down there? I'm also coming down with a dependent otherwise I would just move down there without as much care because I could live almost anywhere. Any tips on how the housing situation is down there?

 

[insanebikerboy]

S3b, you'll get 10 days of reimbursable expenses to stay in a hotel after you check in to P-cola. Don't worry about staying in the boq unless you really want to. That should be enough time to find a place to live.

Check out craigslist.com and militarybyowner.com, both some decent sites for places to live (houses, not so much on apartments).

 

[kejo]

unless you're pretty damn sure you want to do primary at whiting (not like you have that much say), live closer to NPA. if you get orders to corpus, no harm no foul, you had fun living close to the beach and downtown for 6+ weeks. if you get orders to whiting, trust me you'll want to move closer to where you'll be working five days a week for six months (or more if you're lucky to get helos ). if you're a single guy you probably don't have that much stuff to move, anyway. i rented a UHAUL truck for 40 bucks and got my stuff moved from pensacola to pace in one load.

central locales near UWF like governor's gate will give you about a 30-45 minute commute to both pcola and whiting. post-API, i liked living closer to whiting vice living closer to downtown. yeah it sucked having to make the 40 minute trek downtown on the weekends (up to 60 min for the beach), but i was sure glad come those 0500 briefs when it only took me 10 minutes to get to work

 

[othromas]

Back gate: you can get on base quick. There's a Walmart. End of attractions.

Near the airport: centrally located, shopping in the vicinity, reasonable drive to NASP, kind of a hike to Whiting. Would be my second choice.

Near I-10 / Governer's Gate: There are nice places up there (the Gate is one of them, or was), but I never saw the point to live that far away from NASP.

East Hill area (south of Cervantes, east of Alcaniz) is spotty but there are some pretty nice houses in there. Friendly neighborhood but the closest grocery store is up by the mall. That's where I lived; would do it again. Stumbling distance from Seville, though that does get old in a hurry.

I don't know much about Perdido Key, but if you live far enough away from your next duty station, and I believe Corry Station was far enough for Whiting, you can get a government move.

 

[Cavrone]

What do yall recommend? I'm a SNFO moving down in July. I want to be close to the beach and the nightlife. A small commute doesn't bother me. What areas would fit this criteria?

 

[NavAir42]

Another thing to think about is that you may be able to move if you get orders to Whiting but don't want to live out towards Milton during API. I lived out the back gate before and during API, five months in all, then moved to Milton when I got orders there. Because NASP and Whiting are more than 30 miles apart Florida law will let you break your lease. Not saying you'll want to do that, but it is an option.

Personally I'd live somewhere near Governor's Gate or UWF. Milton and Pace are pretty low on fun.

 

[mmx1]

What's the state of the Pensacola housing market these days? Could I reasonably expect to find a good place during my four days proceed or should I try to have a place arranged before I head down?

Older threads have warned against living downtown. Where exactly is downtown? South Pensacola?

 

[Cavrone]

What's the state of the Pensacola housing market these days? Could I reasonably expect to find a good place during my four days proceed or should I try to have a place arranged before I head down?

Older threads have warned against living downtown. Where exactly is downtown? South Pensacola?

X, like you would ever go downtown to party! There are worlds of warcraft to be won, right?

 

[mkoch]

What's the state of the Pensacola housing market these days? Could I reasonably expect to find a good place during my four days proceed or should I try to have a place arranged before I head down?

Older threads have warned against living downtown. Where exactly is downtown? South Pensacola?

Downtown is sorta south-eastish pensacola. If you actually get to town before finding a place to live, it's not hard to pick out. It's the part that vaguely looks like its a city. In fact, there's a sign that says "Welcome to downtown Pensacola".

 

[phrogpilot73]

Because NASP and Whiting are more than 30 miles apart Florida law will let you break your lease.

That's a change... When I went through, it was 50 miles - so orders to Whiting didn't allow us to get out of our lease. That's why I had a long drive to API...