The Best Neighborhoods For Young Couples in Pensacola

If you are young and are looking to start a new chapter in your life with your partner, you would like to know what the best neighborhoods are. In the Pensacola, Florida area there are many beautiful neighborhoods to choose from, but not all of them are as suitable for younger couples that want to start a life together. Perhaps you yourself have tried searching online for the best neighborhoods in Pensacola, but you are not sure what exactly to look for. Combining the metrics used by Niche and Areavibes, we will break down the best neighborhoods for young couples in Pensacola and its surrounding areas.

1) Gulf Breeze

Located just outside of Pensacola on the other side of the bay, Gulf Breeze consistently ranks as one of the best neighborhoods in the area for anyone to move to. Gulf Breeze ranks number one as the best place to live in the Pensacola area according to Niche, and Areavibes ranks it as the 44th best city in Florida. Gulf Breeze has a small population of 6,546 with a median home value of $371,600 and a median rent of $1,472. The feel of this area is sparse suburban, and the median age of residents in Gulf Breeze is 39.8. That isn’t the youngest age but there is a presence of younger couples working well with older couples.

When you ask locals what they think of Gulf Breeze, most said that it is a quiet area and that there is a sense of community, especially being a family-friendly area. And they also said that they feel safe at night in this area. There are plenty of restaurants to go to if you are in the mood for take-out meals or fancy dinners. Gulf Breeze is overall worth looking into if you are a young couple.

Livability Score: 87
Family-Friendly Area: A+
Crime and Safety: B+
Amenities: A
Cost of Living: 26% above the Florida average, 25% above the national average

2) Ferry Pass

Now if you don’t mind being in a more crowded area, then Ferry Pass may be more of your preference. It ranks as the number one best place to live in Escambia County according to Niche. And it has a Livability score of 71 according to Areavibes. Having a population of 32,376, Ferry Pass has a median home value of $149,800 and a median rent of $1,002. Both figures are lower than the national average. This dense suburban area ranks as the 72nd best suburb with the lowest cost of living in Florida.

The median age of Ferry Pass residents is 30.3 years. And with 37% of those residents have kids under the age of 18. Compared to Gulf Breeze, younger couples could have a better time relating to neighbors in Ferry Pass. There are things to do in Ferry Pass, such as Honeymoon Island State Park which has an on-site beach, so you can soak in the sun and swim in the water.

Livability Score: 71
Family-Friendly Area: A
Crime and Safety: C
Amenities: B+
Cost of Living: 5% below the Florida average, 6% below the national average

3) Oriole Beach

If you are concerned about the safety of your family, then you should consider Oriole Beach. Ranking as the number one best place to raise a family in the Pensacola area according to Niche. It also ranks as the 112th best city in Florida according to Areavibes. You will get a nice mixture of a rural and suburban feel in Oriole Beach. Having a population of 1,815, Oriole Beach has a median home value of $233,600, and a median rent of $1,188. It ranks as the 5th best suburb and the 14th best place to buy a home in the entire state of Florida.

The median age of Oriole Beach residents is 35, and 54% of residents have kids under the age of 18. The locals claim with certainty you will be living in a quiet area that is pet-friendly. As for crime, there is basically none to speak of. The total crime rates in Oriole Beach is 71% below the national average.

Livability Score: 83
Family-Friendly Area: A+
Crime and Safety: A+
Amenities: C-
Cost of Living: 3% above the Florida average, 2% above the national average

4) Pace

If you want look further north from Pensacola, then Pace is one of the first places to review. It is just 15 miles north from Pensacola and offers a smaller rural community experience with less traffic. Having a population of 22,860, Pace has a median home value of $186,000 and a median rent of $1,092. It ranks as the 9th best suburb and the 34th best place to buy a house in Florida. And Pace is the 53rd best suburb with the lowest cost of living in Florida.

The median age of Pace residents is 38.1, and 49% of residents have kids under the age of 18. The housing prices of Pace are 10% lower than the national average, so younger couples will have a good time finding more affordable houses. If you ask locals about Pace, 80% of them would say that it is family-friendly and has a sense of community. 60% say that there are friendly neighbors in a quiet area that is safe at night, and the yards are well-kept.

Livability Score: 83
Family-Friendly Area: A-
Crime and Safety: C+
Amenities: B-
Cost of Living; 2% below the Florida average, 3% below the national average

5) Gonzalez

If your family wants peace and quiet in an area away from Downtown Pensacola, then look further northwest. You will find Gonzalez, which is ranked by Niche as the number one best place to raise a family in Escambia County. Having a population of 14,598, Gonzalez has a median home value of $172,200 and a median rent of $1,082. While some statistics may not imply that younger couples would fit in this area, 17% of residents range from 18 to 34 years in age.

The amenities in Gonzalez have basic options when it comes to restaurants, but there are plenty of things to do. There are museums and nightclubs to check out, and Gonzalez is home to the University of West Florida, so there is a presence of young adults. According to reviews, there is a true laid-back community in Gonzalez, positioned between New Orleans and Tallahassee, so think of everything in between those cities when you visualize this place. It also helps that crime rates in Gonzalez are 1% lower than the national average.

Livability Score: 76
Family-Friendly Area: B+
Crime and Safety: B
Amenities: B-
Cost of Living: 2% below the Florida average, 3% below the national average

Conclusion

As a young couple, it is completely up to you and your partner to decide which neighborhood in the Pensacola area would be best to live in. This may not be an easy decision to make, but part of the process is knowing more about a neighborhood and what it offers. If you currently live in Pensacola and have no desire to leave the Downtown area, then you already have plenty of housing options available. If you seek a change in scenery, it may be best to expand your horizon and look at the surrounding neighborhoods that may better accommodate your needs as a young couple. Also, be sure to check out our other post about buying your first home. 

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