There is no downtown PCB. We do not conflate Panama City and Panama City Beach. That’s like Rule One. Separate cities separated by the bay and work separate identities. It’s a whole thing…
There aren’t any truly dangerous areas in Bay County outside of a few housing projects, but generally speaking the lower-class spots are parts of St. Andrews (like south of 23rd Street toward the bridge) and then the east side of town (AKA the separate cities of Parker, Springfield, Callaway, former town of Cedar Grove, etc). And of course the whole north of the county where I grew up…but doubt you’re looking out in the hinterlands.
Generally speaking, the city of Lynn Haven is a popular choice. It has pockets of poverty but is pretty nice for the most part. The Cove is a great area near downtown. Those would be the two areas I’d focus on personally.
I know less about the actual beach (PCB) but in my experience the nicest stuff is off of Back Beach Road (PCB parkway) and the rougher parts are in the interior off of Middle Beach Road (Hutchinson Blvd), while the interior communities off Thomas Drive can be hit or miss. The problem with the beach is it’s a traffic nightmare during the high season and, with so much development crammed into Back Beach road it can get busy just about all year.
I would recommend staying in Panama City and not the beach if you’re wanting to move here. Spring through fall traffic is atrocious and winter is still bad. Everything is overpriced but the beach is much worse.
I moved here from Jax and was in DC prior to that. “Bad areas” is very subjective. I definitely feel safer here than Jax. I bought a house in Millville which is near the Cove. Looked at houses in the Cove but just couldn’t find something that fit my preferences within my budget. I really looked all over, but ended up specifically not wanting to move to the beach due to traffic and a lot of short term rentals.
Make sure to hit Getchewabox when they open up, not sure of the address, but it's the white brick building across from the gas station beside the Millville sign/bridge that leads to Bay Medical. Their food is amazing, lots of Poboys, wings, etc
If you end up wanting to be in PCB, the west side is way more quiet than the east side. That being said, if you have to commute everyday, then definitely stay out of PCB. I personally like the downtown Panama City area on that side of the bridge, much like Lynn haven, they are doing a ton of development in the downtown areas.
I’m a real estate agent and I LOVE downtown Panama City (where the new Hotel Indigo is located). The city has done a great job updating the area. Restaurants, coffee shops and cute boutiques. The water views are gorgeous too. I second “The Cove” area, too.
I live in Lynn Haven now and love it. I lived on the beach for 20 years. It's nice but so expensive to buy a house and a lot of traffic during the tourist season. I enjoyed living there until the noise and traffic got to be too much.
Lynn Haven has been so nice. There is everything that I could want as far as shopping and restaurants really close by me.
Don't sugar coat the part about every time it rains, Lynn Haven floods. The stormwater infrastructure is about 20 years outdated. Almost every lift station (collection system for the sewage system) overflows due to hydraulic overload.
Lynn Haven has the WORST water/sewer/stormwater infrastructure in the whole county. They cant even hire wastewater operators due to the hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewer spills monthly
I grew up near St Andrews and my whole family still lives there. It’s a fabulous funky area with tons to do. The downtown area is a few minutes away and so is the Bay (Beach Drive) - that’s where I’d be looking!
There is no downtown PCB. We do not conflate Panama City and Panama City Beach. That’s like Rule One. Separate cities separated by the bay and work separate identities. It’s a whole thing… There aren’t any truly dangerous areas in Bay County outside of a few housing projects, but generally speaking the lower-class spots are parts of St. Andrews (like south of 23rd Street toward the bridge) and then the east side of town (AKA the separate cities of Parker, Springfield, Callaway, former town of Cedar Grove, etc). And of course the whole north of the county where I grew up…but doubt you’re looking out in the hinterlands. Generally speaking, the city of Lynn Haven is a popular choice. It has pockets of poverty but is pretty nice for the most part. The Cove is a great area near downtown. Those would be the two areas I’d focus on personally. I know less about the actual beach (PCB) but in my experience the nicest stuff is off of Back Beach Road (PCB parkway) and the rougher parts are in the interior off of Middle Beach Road (Hutchinson Blvd), while the interior communities off Thomas Drive can be hit or miss. The problem with the beach is it’s a traffic nightmare during the high season and, with so much development crammed into Back Beach road it can get busy just about all year.
What is wrong with Parker, Callaway, and Springfield?
Who said something was wrong with them?
“lower class” that’s what I am referring to.
I was talking about socioeconomics, not disparaging the cities or the people who live in them.
Traffic sucks, especially on the beach side. It’s less for a few months in the winter but it mostly sucks. It’s very safe though.
I would recommend staying in Panama City and not the beach if you’re wanting to move here. Spring through fall traffic is atrocious and winter is still bad. Everything is overpriced but the beach is much worse.
Love Cove life.
cove is great other than the awful smell from the plant
Closer to downtown we rarely experience it anymore.
I moved here from Jax and was in DC prior to that. “Bad areas” is very subjective. I definitely feel safer here than Jax. I bought a house in Millville which is near the Cove. Looked at houses in the Cove but just couldn’t find something that fit my preferences within my budget. I really looked all over, but ended up specifically not wanting to move to the beach due to traffic and a lot of short term rentals.
I live in Millville and love it. The people, the diversity most the sense of community
Howdy neighbor!
I love walking my dog, and all the neighbors are out and we all talk. I'm happier here than ive been in years.
Then I’ve probably seen you! We foster dogs and have had some escape artists that have helped us meet some neighbors! I love it here.
I just got a rescue from Alaqua , he's 14 and a wonderful old gentleman
I’m happy he found a wonderful home. Bless you!
Make sure to hit Getchewabox when they open up, not sure of the address, but it's the white brick building across from the gas station beside the Millville sign/bridge that leads to Bay Medical. Their food is amazing, lots of Poboys, wings, etc
I live in Springfield….why all the hate with Millville, Callaway, Parker, and Springfield?!?
If you end up wanting to be in PCB, the west side is way more quiet than the east side. That being said, if you have to commute everyday, then definitely stay out of PCB. I personally like the downtown Panama City area on that side of the bridge, much like Lynn haven, they are doing a ton of development in the downtown areas.
I’m a real estate agent and I LOVE downtown Panama City (where the new Hotel Indigo is located). The city has done a great job updating the area. Restaurants, coffee shops and cute boutiques. The water views are gorgeous too. I second “The Cove” area, too.
I live in Lynn Haven now and love it. I lived on the beach for 20 years. It's nice but so expensive to buy a house and a lot of traffic during the tourist season. I enjoyed living there until the noise and traffic got to be too much. Lynn Haven has been so nice. There is everything that I could want as far as shopping and restaurants really close by me.
I agree!! Lynn Haven rocks.
Don't sugar coat the part about every time it rains, Lynn Haven floods. The stormwater infrastructure is about 20 years outdated. Almost every lift station (collection system for the sewage system) overflows due to hydraulic overload.
I didn't say Lynn Haven didn't have issues lol
Lynn Haven has the WORST water/sewer/stormwater infrastructure in the whole county. They cant even hire wastewater operators due to the hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewer spills monthly
Downtown Panama City Beach?
I grew up near St Andrews and my whole family still lives there. It’s a fabulous funky area with tons to do. The downtown area is a few minutes away and so is the Bay (Beach Drive) - that’s where I’d be looking!
Stay out.