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James Bentwood

Beach Fanatic

Just walk out on the beach or through the state forest! Heck yeah. I've also made lifelong friends and done well financially.

Just walk out on the beach or through the state forest! Heck yeah. I&#039;ve also made lifelong friends and done well financially.

bob bob

[QUOTE="30A Skunkape, post: 972060, member: 2468"]
If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010  from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it?  Do you think it was a good move?  Lateral?  A mistake?  Let's talk about it!:popcorn:
[/QUOTE]
I love the beaches, parks, events. As long as they're not crowded. Private beaches are a bummer but I don't go to the and I never have. Fascinating to watch progress but also kind of a bummer. How about you?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="30A Skunkape">If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010 from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it? Do you think it was a good move? Lateral? A mistake? Let&#039;s talk about it!:popcorn:</blockquote>I love the beaches, parks, events. As long as they&#039;re not crowded. Private beaches are a bummer but I don&#039;t go to the and I never have. Fascinating to watch progress but also kind of a bummer. How about you?

Beach Lover

Interesting topic that I hope generates more discussion.

Moved here in 02 out of school for a job. Lived full time in Walton Co longer than Publix and remember the WD's as the closest groceries. This is a great community with great people, great schools, pretty good healthcare, etc. We punch outside of our weight class on area amenities vis-a-vis population, although much less so than in years past with increased population and tourism and contracted amenities, specifically the private beach change.

The thing that seemed to change the character/feel of this area the most was the migration that followed covid, where what seems to be an overwhelming majority of new residents self-selected via the "free Florida" marketing.  

Also I really miss Capo's. Wheelhouse as well - that seemed to be as close to a community center that we had.

Interesting topic that I hope generates more discussion. 
 
Moved here in 02 out of school for a job. Lived full time in Walton Co longer than Publix and remember the WD&#039;s as the closest groceries. This is a great community with great people, great schools, pretty good healthcare, etc. We punch outside of our weight class on area amenities vis-a-vis population, although much less so than in years past with increased population and tourism and contracted amenities, specifically the private beach change. 
 
The thing that seemed to change the character/feel of this area the most was the migration that followed covid, where what seems to be an overwhelming majority of new residents self-selected via the &quot;free Florida&quot; marketing. 
 
Also I really miss Capo&#039;s. Wheelhouse as well - that seemed to be as close to a community center that we had.

Kurt

Admin

[QUOTE="PJJ, post: 972157, member: 5908"]
Interesting topic that I hope generates more discussion.

Moved here in 02 out of school for a job. Lived full time in Walton Co longer than Publix and remember the WD's as the closest groceries. This is a great community with great people, great schools, pretty good healthcare, etc. We punch outside of our weight class on area amenities vis-a-vis population, although much less so than in years past with increased population and tourism and contracted amenities, specifically the private beach change.

The thing that seemed to change the character/feel of this area the most was the migration that followed covid, where what seems to be an overwhelming majority of new residents self-selected via the "free Florida" marketing. 

Also I really miss Capo's. Wheelhouse as well - that seemed to be as close to a community center that we had.
[/QUOTE]
The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="PJJ">Interesting topic that I hope generates more discussion. 
 
Moved here in 02 out of school for a job. Lived full time in Walton Co longer than Publix and remember the WD&#039;s as the closest groceries. This is a great community with great people, great schools, pretty good healthcare, etc. We punch outside of our weight class on area amenities vis-a-vis population, although much less so than in years past with increased population and tourism and contracted amenities, specifically the private beach change. 
 
The thing that seemed to change the character/feel of this area the most was the migration that followed covid, where what seems to be an overwhelming majority of new residents self-selected via the &quot;free Florida&quot; marketing. 
 
Also I really miss Capo&#039;s. Wheelhouse as well - that seemed to be as close to a community center that we had.</blockquote>The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:

Will B

Moderator

[QUOTE="Kurt, post: 972158, member: 1"]
The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:
[/QUOTE]

Dude...the South Walton Superette / Gulf station!  Shallowsnole can attest.  It was where the thrift shop / donation center is just west of 393.  Where the Hardee's is, now, next to the Chevron was a restaurant called Clayton's and later was the post office.  That was downtown SRB!!

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Kurt">The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:</blockquote> 
Dude...the South Walton Superette / Gulf station! Shallowsnole can attest. It was where the thrift shop / donation center is just west of 393. Where the Hardee&#039;s is, now, next to the Chevron was a restaurant called Clayton&#039;s and later was the post office. That was downtown SRB!!

Lake View Too

SoWal Insider

[QUOTE="Kurt, post: 972158, member: 1"]
The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:
[/QUOTE]
That was when it went metropolitan. The good old days was when it was Cotton's produce stand.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Kurt">The original South Walton town center was Tom Thumb 331 and 98. :lol:</blockquote>That was when it went metropolitan. The good old days was when it was Cotton&#039;s produce stand.

Dawn

[QUOTE="30A Skunkape, post: 972060, member: 2468"]
If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010  from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it?  Do you think it was a good move?  Lateral?  A mistake?  Let's talk about it!:popcorn:
[/QUOTE]
I mean how could it not be - you live at the BEACH!!!

Unless you learn you don't like sand, sun, saltwater, goldenrod allergies (or a hundred others), you miss costco horribly, they do it better where you came from, there are few progressives, there are too many trees, alligators! bears! oh my!!!

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="30A Skunkape">If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010 from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it? Do you think it was a good move? Lateral? A mistake? Let&#039;s talk about it!:popcorn:</blockquote>I mean how could it not be - you live at the BEACH!!! 
 
Unless you learn you don&#039;t like sand, sun, saltwater, goldenrod allergies (or a hundred others), you miss costco horribly, they do it better where you came from, there are few progressives, there are too many trees, alligators! bears! oh my!!!

While it is experiencing growing pains on an exponential level, every once in awhile you have to just marvel that you can drive down the highway and take in such a diversity of views: towering scrub oaks, lakes, Gulf, planned communities with amazing architecture, and a bunch of crazy locals and happy visitors who are just glad to be here.

[QUOTE="Lake View Too, post: 972182, member: 9756"]
While it is experiencing growing pains on an exponential level, every once in awhile you have to just marvel that you can drive down the highway and take in such a diversity of views: towering scrub oaks, lakes, Gulf, planned communities with amazing architecture, and a bunch of crazy locals and happy visitors who are just glad to be here.
[/QUOTE]
City folk think locals are idiots when we complain about traffic and development. It's still quaint and charming to Hotlanta.

I was on the beach yesterday had it all to myself and it was warm and sunny even with a breeze. Paradise indeed.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Lake View Too">While it is experiencing growing pains on an exponential level, every once in awhile you have to just marvel that you can drive down the highway and take in such a diversity of views: towering scrub oaks, lakes, Gulf, planned communities with amazing architecture, and a bunch of crazy locals and happy visitors who are just glad to be here.</blockquote>City folk think locals are idiots when we complain about traffic and development. It&#039;s still quaint and charming to Hotlanta. 
 
I was on the beach yesterday had it all to myself and it was warm and sunny even with a breeze. Paradise indeed.

30A Skunkape

Skunky

I guess it could be worse. Not a cheap place to live and the tourists try one's patience.  BUT I've met so many amazing people thanks to this old school bulletin board and the folks who keep it running.  Worth it!

I guess it could be worse. Not a cheap place to live and the tourists try one&#039;s patience.  BUT I&#039;ve met so many amazing people thanks to this old school bulletin board and the folks who keep it running.  Worth it!

UofL

[QUOTE="30A Skunkape, post: 972493, member: 2468"]
I guess it could be worse. Not a cheap place to live and the tourists try one's patience.  BUT I've met so many amazing people thanks to this old school bulletin board and the folks who keep it running.  Worth it!
[/QUOTE]
There are tourists and there are visitors.  We are visitors.  Long time visitors.   We go to the beach early to avoid the hot sun & people.  We bring our bikes to ride to Modica at least once a day,  and also ride around Seaside and at least ride through Watercolor and/or Grayton.  We clean up early to take advantage of fewer crowds and the few remaining HH's .  Later we take our chairs back to the beach to enjoy the whole sunset time - before, during, and after.  We're down to one visit a year now.  Have been there every month but November.  Sorry for folks who have lived there a long time.  Worked with 2 guys in KFC R&D who moved down there about 2 decades ago.  Also, we have an alley neighbor who moved away from there in 2015 because it was getting crowded.  Our former UofL AD moved down there this past year.  I remember the Grayton area with the art areas around the lake.  I remember old Seagrove with the Wheelhouse(?) restaurant and the motel.  One visit when I was still working the house we were in didn't have good internet.  Sitting at the coffee shop, I emailed Seaside about the posters.  Someone came across the street and handed me 4.  Yes, they are in frames.  One visit, Charlie M, gave us a 6 pack of good beer.  We had always brought some from our breweries.  I think I could cry as I write this!  Ellen

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="30A Skunkape">I guess it could be worse. Not a cheap place to live and the tourists try one&#039;s patience. BUT I&#039;ve met so many amazing people thanks to this old school bulletin board and the folks who keep it running. Worth it!</blockquote>There are tourists and there are visitors. We are visitors. Long time visitors. We go to the beach early to avoid the hot sun &amp; people. We bring our bikes to ride to Modica at least once a day, and also ride around Seaside and at least ride through Watercolor and/or Grayton. We clean up early to take advantage of fewer crowds and the few remaining HH&#039;s . Later we take our chairs back to the beach to enjoy the whole sunset time - before, during, and after. We&#039;re down to one visit a year now. Have been there every month but November. Sorry for folks who have lived there a long time. Worked with 2 guys in KFC R&amp;D who moved down there about 2 decades ago. Also, we have an alley neighbor who moved away from there in 2015 because it was getting crowded. Our former UofL AD moved down there this past year. I remember the Grayton area with the art areas around the lake. I remember old Seagrove with the Wheelhouse(?) restaurant and the motel. One visit when I was still working the house we were in didn&#039;t have good internet. Sitting at the coffee shop, I emailed Seaside about the posters. Someone came across the street and handed me 4. Yes, they are in frames. One visit, Charlie M, gave us a 6 pack of good beer. We had always brought some from our breweries. I think I could cry as I write this! Ellen

MrSunshine

We came for the beach in 1998 and are still here.  Yes it has changed but our love for the beach hasn't.  Some tourists/visitors come and some go.  To each his own!

We came for the beach in 1998 and are still here.  Yes it has changed but our love for the beach hasn&#039;t.  Some tourists/visitors come and some go.  To each his own!

Jimmy T

It's changed a lot over the years, but we still love it. Not going anywhere.

It&#039;s changed a lot over the years, but we still love it. Not going anywhere.

carson

We were only there a short time from 2012- 2019 and the growth during that time was crazy. Coming back since then, the growth from Covid makes those 8 years look tame. It is the entire Panhandle too. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot:)

If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010  from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it?  Do you think it was a good move?  Lateral?  A mistake?  Let's talk about it!:popcorn:

If you moved here circa 2000 to lets say 2010  from who knows where, thanks to this message board or other driver...was it worth it?  Do you think it was a good move?  Lateral?  A mistake?  Let&#039;s talk about it!:popcorn:

Old school SOWALers, was it worth it?

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert

Skeletor is on MySpace.com

Dog-Harmony

Beach Comber

Dog-Harmony's Chance Drawing for a Two Night Stay in Westwinds

Paulee

Beach Crab

Smoking

Jenksy

American Dream For Immigrants

Bluznbeach

A Sowal short story: The Case of the Nebulous Nazis

Matt J

SWGB

RIP Miss Kitty

Dune Allen BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Grayton BeachCam

WaterColor BeachCam West

Sandestin Hilton BeachCam

Grayton Beach Red Bar Cam

Perfect Hues: Baytowne Art Festival

Back to ‘Old’ School Bash at Alys Beach

Red, White, & Blues Concert at Alys Beach

Dancing Dream: A Tribute to ABBA at Rosemary Beach

Seaside Labor Day Weekend Concert

Baytowne International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

Where To Tee It Up On The Golf Course In The South Walton Area

International Coastal Cleanup In South Walton On September 19, 2026

The Long and Winding History of Grayton Beach

Spectacular Coastal Dune Lakes of South Walton

Fore Her 13th Annual Golf Outing Sep 26 at the Links Golf Club in Sandestin

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Old school SOWALers, was it worth it?

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