Lake Lorraine is known for the Eglin Air Force Base and the Shalimar Pointe Golf Club. In 1935, the base was built on over 350,000 acres of forestland and eventually brought around 15,000 jobs to the area. But it wasn’t until the golf course opened in 1968 that the neighborhood started taking shape along the bay area. Today, the Emerald Coast welcomes millions of visitors every year for swimming and seaside experiences while over 7,000 residents enjoy the best of bay life in Florida. “There will be thousands of boats out there, and it’ll be absolutely packed,” says Patricia Williams, a 40-year resident and ERA American Real Estate agent. “This is paradise.”
A light day on Rock Island, is great for Lake Lorraine residents to enjoy.
The Eglin AFB is located minutes away from Lake Lorraine.
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Golfing and boating by the bay
The Shalimar Pointe Golf Club has a 6,765-yard championship course that regularly hosts qualifiers for the U.S. Open. “There’s golfing, there’s tennis and there’s waterfront activities,” Williams says. “It’s nice to have a community close to the bay.” There are boat ramps, marinas and fishing charters along the southern coastline. Many will sail over 8 miles southeast to go snorkeling, zip-lining or watch dolphin shows at Crab Island in Destin. Cherokee Park has a playground and walking trails, while Shalimar Community Park has a basketball court and baseball fields. The Air Force Armament Museum is next to the base and has 29 aircraft dating back to World War II.
Boating is a major attraction that draws retirees and new residents to Lake Lorraine.
The Shalimar Golf Club offers golf cart rentals in Lake Lorraine Estates.
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Older homes south of Eglin Air Force Base
Lake Lorraine is popular with veterans and retirees due to being located between the Gulf and the Air Force base. “It’s an older neighborhood mostly built between the '70s and '80s," Williams says. "Many of the homes were generals’ and colonels’ houses.” Traditional and contemporary homes are most common along the grid-like streets east of the main bridge into town, and 1,000-square-foot dwellings with less than quarter-acre lots will be more affordable between $160,000 and $450,000. Some Mediterranean homes with two-car garages are close to the golf club with prices ranging from $450,000 to $700,000. Craftsman homes with vaulted ceilings and double pane windows cost $700,000 to $1 million, while lakefront homes with half-acre lots, docks and boat lifts sell for $1 to $1.75 million.
Lake front homes with private docks can be found in the area.
Many homes were originally built for Eglin Air Force base serviceman.
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Greek cuisine, grill grub and gardening essentials
Most shops and restaurants are on the west side along the main road. Pepper’s Mexican Grill & Cantina is a family-owned restaurant that mixes margaritas from their own in-house tequila, while the Aegean Restaurant offers Greek delights like lamb and stuffed green peppers. The Cajun Crab serves seafood boils and live crawfish, and sandwiches and small plates can be ordered at The Shalimar Pointe Golf Club Grill. Local establishments such as Twisted Grape Cafe & Wine Bar and Shalimar Cheers Pub offer drink specials and live music, while flowers and plants are available at the Wildwood Garden Shoppe and Nursery. Groceries can be picked up at Tom Thumb, Dollar General and S-Mart, and there’s a Publix around 3 miles west in Ocean City.
Residents enjoy the Mexican fare at Pepper's Mexican Grill and Cantina.
Restaurants like Cajun Crab Company serve residents along Eglin Parkway North.
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Okaloosa County schools and a technical college
The Okaloosa County School District is a Purple Star District for supporting military families in the area and earns an A-minus on Niche. Shalimar Elementary School partners with the YMCA of Northwest Florida for its after-school activities, while Clifford Meigs Middle School has a Gifted and Talented program. Both schools have a B on Niche. Choctawhatchee High School has advanced placement courses and an A-minus. The Okaloosa Technical College offers post-secondary degree programs such as welding, carpentry and nursing.
Students attend Choctawhatchee Senior High School.
Clifford Meigs Middle School is the local public school for grades six through eight.
Students thrive at Shalimar Elementary School.
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Two highways to Fort Walton Beach
State Roads 85 and 189 are the main highways into Lake Lorraine and lead to beaches and islands all along the coast. “It’s not very far at all,” Williams says. “Once you go across that bridge into Fort Walton Beach, you’re right there.” The Emerald Coast Rider offers fixed-route public transportation from the Okaloosa County Administration building to the 24-hour HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital 5 miles west and Crestview 23 miles north. Dial-A-Ride services around the county are available to disadvantaged residents, and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is around 5 miles north.
Lake Lorraine residents enjoy their weekends at the infamous Crab Island.
The DFW Airport is easily accessible from Lake Lorraine.
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Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Quattro
Video By
Colleen Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Paula Sherman,
an experienced agent in this area.
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