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Hello, all! Over the next few blog posts, I will be detailing local counties and why they are so great to live in. We will explore everything from schools, family attractions, and good eats. Up first is my home county!
Santa Rosa County, Florida is located in the panhandle, with portions of the county only 20 miles from Alabama. A family-friendly area, Santa Rosa County boasts some of the best schools and attractions in the state. At the top end of the county are woods, dense with wildlife, expansive farmland, and family owned businesses that have existed for generations. At the bottom of the county is the Gulf of Mexico, delicious seafood, and eclectic shops.
At the top of the list of attractions is Pensacola Beach, home to the whitest sand beaches in the world, nestled on the bottom end of the county. Because of the location of the naturally formed islands, Pensacola Beach offers calming waves and emerald green waters on one side, with a "sound side" or calm waters and a beautiful boardwalk on the other. A short drive from the beach and boardwalk is the Gulf Breeze Zoo, which boasts 50 acres of exotic animals; a sight which brings out the child in all of us. Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches from Florida to Mississippi, with a large chunk of it including Pensacola Beach. Just a short drive outside the county you can find Fort Pickens, Cordova Mall, and Eglin Air Force Base.
For families with young children and adults alike, education is paramount in the area. Santa Rosa County Schools overwhelmingly rank within the top 10% of the schools in the state, with many in the top 50 schools (out of over 2200!). Santa Rosa County offers education for adults, from Locklin Technical Center for trades to Pensacola State College campuses both on the North and South ends of the county. Just a hop across the river to Pensacola and you can learn at either Pensacola State's main campus or the University of West Florida, as well as satellite branches of FSU and UF. There really is something for every type of student.
Last, but certainly not least, we have got to discuss the food! My favorite part of every single day is dinner, and when I am not whipping something up in the kitchen, I love trying out local eateries. One of the most popular dining establishments in Milton is McKinely's Sandwich Shop, offering sandwiches, wraps, salads, and the most delectable cupcakes you will ever taste (ask for a glass of sweet tea, trust me.). Right down the street is Cosse's Place, where you are guaranteed to leave with a stomach full of authentic New Orleans dishes. Along the beach, there are several fine dining establishments, such as the Grand Marlin, and even more open air restaurants where you can enjoy local seafood without sacrificing time in the sun. Over in Navarre, Pho 99 offers traditional Vietnamese meals. For breakfast, the Milton Bakery offers over 50 years of experience with the best dang doughnuts in the tri-county area. Everywhere you turn, you can find your favorite chain restaurant or a quaint "mom-and-pop" shop. No matter what you're craving, you can find it (and even DoorDash it!).
To live, work, play, and raise a family in this area is absolutely wonderful for me, and can be for you too! If you are interested in finding a home in Santa Rosa or surrounding counties, give us a call. (Now I need to go cook dinner because all of this food blogging has me hungry!)