- Top-Rated White Sand Beaches
Pensacola's area beaches are among the most beautiful in all of Florida and commonly receive top ratings each year by popular review sites such as Trip Advisor, USA Today and Dr. Beach. In 2020, Trip Advisor named Pensacola Beach as the 4th best Beach in the US based upon their Traveler's Choice Awards (see TOP 5 Beaches list below).
Be sure to check out our coastline from the
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier.
THE BEST BEACHES
IN THE U.S.
IN 2020
Best 5 Beaches in the US (2020)
# |
Beach Name |
1. |
Siesta Beach, FL |
2. |
Saint Pete Beach, FL |
3. |
Ka’anapali Beach, HI |
4. |
Pensacola Beach, FL |
5. |
Clearwater Beach, FL |
Source: Trip Advisor's Best Beaches in America 2020 List
View of Pensacola Beach from the Gulf Pier
- There's No State Income Tax in Florida
The lack of a state income tax is one of the biggest benefits of being a Florida resident. This enables you to keep more of your income. In place of the state tax, Florida earns revenues from the millions of tourists that vacation in our state each year through a 7% sales tax (state level) and a 5% tourist tax (county level) on revenues from shorter-term rental properties and hotel stays that are for a term of six month or less. Once you become a Florida resident, you will be thankful for the tourists as they pay your share of the state taxes.
- A Year-Round Playground
With an average year-round temperature of 68' and 224 sunny days per year, Pensacola is a the ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities by land, sea and air. If you like playing on the water, try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking through the mangroves or renting a boat for the day. By land, explore one of the area's many recreational parks and nature trails. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, explore the area by air in a helicopter, parasailing or even a sky dive.
- Pensacola is an Affordable City for Real Estate
The Pensacola real estate market offers affordability for young families and retirees alike. As of late January 2025, the median Pensacola home price is now $255K and the monthly median rent is $1.7K per month. Living gulf side or on the bay will cost you more for the amazing water views. I am glad to show you all options within your price range when you come to town.
- Great Local Cuisine & Dining Options
The downtown Pensacola area and the surrounding keys are a food lover's delight! The quaint historic downtown area offers a full blend of cuisines from casual eateries to fine dining restaurants including
The District (my favorite! just sayin’...) You’ll also find many hip, craft beer establishments that offer live entertainment. If you preference is eating with a water view, there are lots of places near Pensacola Bay and Seville Harbor.
- Top-Rated Healthcare
When choosing a city to move to, it's important to have quality healthcare available for preventative and emergency care. Pensacola's West Florida Hospital has been Named One of the Nation's 100 Top Hospitals for Three Years in a Row by Truven Health Analytics, a part of IBM Watson Health.
- A Strong Employment Market
The Pensacola employment market has been very strong with an unemployment rate in the mid 3.5% range in the 4th quarter of 2024 (below the nation's average). Top sectors of employment in the area include military, tourism, medical and healthcare services, education, retail and professional services. The largest non-military employers in the area include the Escambia County School District, Baptist Health Care Corporation and The University of West Florida.
- Endless Events to Check-Out!
Pensacola offers an endless popular community events each year including the Crawfish Festival, the Pensacola Beach Air Show, the Pensacola Seafood Festival, and the Summer Music Series just to name a few. The latter is one of my favorites as the Series, located at the Gulfside Pavilion, features different bands on the beach (from Apr thru Oct) whereby you get to enjoy great music with your feet in the sand while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
- A City with a Rich, Historical Heritage
Pensacola lies claim to the nation's first settlement by Spanish sailor Don Tristan de Luna in 1559 and is said to be the first European settlement in the New World. Residents and tourists alike have to the opportunity to view popular historical sites contained with the eight-and-a-half acre Historic Pensacola Village district downtown Pensacola. The area includes many popular historical sites including the Pensacola Lighthouse,
Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Emanual Point just to name a few.
Old War Canon on rails at Fort Pickens
- Bountiful Wildlife, Parks & Nature Trails
Pensacola offers miles of unique opportunity to experience the native Florida beauty and wildlife along its protected Gulf Coast, which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. A popular attraction on Pensacola Beach is the 8.5 mile Eco-Trail which allows you to experience the local ecology including wild birds, turtles, crabs and sea life. There are 29 stops on the trail which provides maps and pictures to guide you in your exploration.