In the fabulous Florida panhandle sits a small town with big attractions and opportunities to have fun in the sun. We’re talking, of course, about Destin, Florida, on the lovely Gulf of Mexico. Only a few minutes west of Panama City and close enough to Pensacola and Tallahassee to visit for a day, Destin offers beautiful weather, phenomenal beaches, and the lifestyle folks from “up north” dream about. So if you’re moving to Destin soon, read on. We’ve got everything you need to consider before leaving, plus many more facts and figures about this charming seaside town below.
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Relocating to Destin, FL
If you’re relocating to Destin from outside the state, professional movers are your best choice. However, it’s highly recommended you start planning, packing, and organizing your move as early as possible. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to finish everything before leaving your old home. Experts recommend starting between 4 to 6 weeks ahead to accomplish all the tasks below (and several more).
- Getting moving estimates and choosing a mover.
- Giving away, donating, or tossing everything you don’t use, want, or need.
- Gathering necessary paperwork like school transcripts, vehicle titles, marriage, and divorce papers, etc.
- Canceling utilities at your old place and having them connected in your new Destin home or apartment
- Contacting Destin storage companies if you need to store your things when you arrive.
Is Destin a Good Place to Live?
Destin isn’t a good place to live, it’s a great place to live! From the fantastic weather year-round to excellent public schools, exhilarating nightlife, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and plenty of jobs, living here is, as they say, a Florida breeze. Diversity in Destin is high, and it’s rated an ‘A’ for families, health, and fitness. The biggest drawback, as we’ll see in a moment, is the cost of housing in Destin, which unfortunately, is relatively high compared to the national average.
What is the Cost of Living in Destin?
Destin’s cost of living isn’t all bad, but one negative factor is the cost of housing. According to Best Places, the housing index in Destin is 168.1, bringing the overall cost of living to 120.9, 21% higher than the national average. So no, it’s not California’s cost of living numbers, but they’re still high enough to consider if you’re moving here. Below are the 8 major cost indices in Destin for comparison. Note that the national average is 100, so numbers higher than that are higher than the national average, and vice versa.
Overall- 120.9
Housing- 168.1 (high)
Miscellaneous costs- 106.3
Groceries- 105.3
Healthcare- 104.2
Utilities- 103.4
Transportation- 93.3 (not bad)
Median home cost- $490,400 (The U.S. average is $291,700)
Pros and Cons of Destin, FL
You’ll be pleased to know that Destin has many more Pros than Cons, as shown in our list below.
Pro– Destin is on the Emerald Coast, one of the most beautiful in the United States.
Con– During winter and Spring Break, the traffic is horrible.
Pro– The weather is hot and sunny year-round.
Con– Public transportation is sorely lacking.
Pro– The public school system is highly rated.
Con– The threat of hurricanes is higher than in many other places in the U.S.
Pro– Nightlife, restaurants, and bars are top-notch and plentiful
Con– The cost of housing is higher than in many similar towns
Pro– Opportunities for boating, fishing, beachcombing, sunsets, and water-based fun are very high.
Considerations Before Moving to Destin, FL
As with any city or town in the United States, there are a few things to consider before moving to Destin.
- The weather can be brutally hot and humid in summer. (The Comfort Index in summer is an abysmal 3.9 / 10.)
- During Spring Break, Destin can be overcrowded, noisy, and full of traffic.
- Life outside and on the water are veritable lifestyles in Destin. The Gulf of Mexico offers all the watersports you could want.
- About ¾ of the people who live here own their homes.
- Property crime in Destin is significantly higher than the national average.
- Jacksonville and the exciting Jacksonville Jaguars are about 5 hours away.
- Real estate prices in Destin are much higher than the national average.
Get Your Storage Needs Covered with Southern Self Storage
Southern Self Storage is your best choice if you’re on your way to Destin or just arrived and need to find storage. We have several different types of storage at Southern, including car storage, boat storage, and climate-controlled storage if your things can’t take the Florida heat and humidity.
Our Destin storage facilities are clean, safe, and secure, with 24/7 video monitoring and on-site managers. Plus, our storage unit size guide can help you choose the storage unit that fits your family’s needs perfectly. So, call Southern Self Storage today or visit us online and reserve your Destin storage unit before you arrive. Until then, best of luck moving to enchanting Destin, Florida!