With 13 miles of coastline, Panama City Beach is widely recognized as a vacation destination where its permanent residents moved to enjoy the sun and surf year-round. “It’s paradise,” says Debbie Ingram, Panama City Beach’s Director of Communications, who’s lived here for nine years. “We have the most gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, and the sand here is so fine that it squeaks when you walk on it.” The city is a narrow strip of land along the Gulf of Mexico, with St. Andrews Bay to the northeast.
Russell-Fields City Pier and Pier Park are in the city’s center, with residential neighborhoods, beachfront condos and hotels spreading to the northwest and southeast. “People come to visit and then try to find a way to live here,” Ingram says. The city’s population of over 19,000 people increases steadily each year, and the city is meeting the growing demands by improving roads, essential services and parks. New residential communities like the Latitude Margaritaville 55-plus community are also going in. The city is part of Bay County, where tourism generates billions of dollars and is the number one industry. The county also has a large military presence, home to the Tyndall Air Force Base.
Paradise by the Sea offers a private beach for residents of Panama City Beach to enjoy to themselves.
Kayak on Lake Powell in Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach.
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Emerald beaches and sports games at Frank Brown Park
Public beaches are within walking distance for most residents, and City and County Piers are popular with anglers. The city also maintains six parks, including the 2,900-acre Conservation Park, which has over 24 miles of trails through wetlands and pine forests. Frank Brown Park is the city’s recreational hub with 200 acres of sports facilities, an aquatic center and a community center. The city keeps residents busy between the 20-acre festival park at Frank Brown Park and the amphitheater at Aaron Bessant Park. “We have an event every weekend from March through October,” Ingram says. Popular events include the free Summer Concert Series and the UNwineD food and wine festival.
The white sand beaches of Panama City Beach attract people from all over the world.
Camp Helen State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
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Pier Park shopping and nightlife
Pier Park is a palm-tree-lined outdoor shopping mall full of pastel restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops that offer a mix of national retailers and local boutiques. Pier Park also has tourist attractions like miniature golf and the SkyWheel, a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel. This area becomes crowded during spring break and the summer, and residents will typically head to the city’s east side for local shopping and dining along Thomas Drive. Family-owned Captain Anderson’s Restaurant has been serving fresh Gulf seafood on the city’s east side since 1967. Grocery options include Publix, Winn-Dixie, Fresh Market and Walmart.
Many shops along Peddlers Pavilion offer beachwear and surf attire.
Sip artisanal coffee and shop unique finds at Fonville Press Market+Café in Alys Beach.
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Beachfront condos and established bungalows
The median housing price in Panama City Beach is $450,000, lower than the national figure of $406,100, and homes sell after an average of 97 days on the market. Most single-family homes here are late 20th to 21st-century bungalows, coastal cottages or multi-story American Vernacular beach houses with stacked porches. Single-family beachfront homes are rare and can cost up to $4.5 million for a six-bedroom, while a three-bedroom bungalow less than a mile from the beach can start at $250,000. Beachfront condos are typically in 21st-century high-rise buildings with one or two bedrooms; prices range from $125,000 for a studio condo to $1.4 million for a three-bedroom. Many residents live here year-round, but the city is also a popular second-home destination. Townhomes also dot the city.
Enjoy the serene beauty of single-family homes in Alys Beach's exclusive community.
Alys Beach boasts stunning single-family homes perfect for serene beachside living.
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Enrolling at the Rising Leaders Academy
Bay District Schools scores an overall B-plus on Niche and serves 27,000-plus students. J.R. Arnold High School has an A-minus on Niche and a vibrant theater program that stages performances in the school’s 1,000-seat auditorium. Students can also enter the lottery for admission into one of several charter schools, including the Rising Leaders Academy in Panama City. This school enrolls pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students, and Niche ranks it as the best charter school in America.
Emerald Coast Middle School serves students in 6-8 grades.
South Walton High School is located in Santa Rosa Beach.
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Hopping on the BayWay or biking the Gayle's Trails
Bay County Transportation Services offers the BayWay bus – originally called the Bay Town Trolley. The bus stops throughout the city, connecting locals with Panama City 10 miles away. U.S. Route 98, the city’s primary thoroughfare, runs through the heart of Panama City Beach. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a 19-mile trip. The Gayle’s Trails system connects most of the city through bike lanes and multi-use paths. “We want to take people out of cars and make it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly,” Ingram says. The city is also building two new fire stations, a police substation, a wastewater treatment plant and a teaching hospital.
Seacrest residents and guests can enjoy biking and walking on the Timpoochee Trail.
Peddlers Pavilion can be found on Highway 30A with bike rentals for all.
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Homes are in Special Flood Hazard Areas
Panama City Beach is at risk for hurricanes. “It’s a price that residents are willing to pay because the quality of life is so good here,” Ingram says. The last major hurricane to affect Panama City Beach was Hurricane Michael in 2018. “It created a lot of debris, but we didn’t get the brunt of it,” Ingram says. Flooding is the biggest concern with hurricanes, and around half of the homes in Panama City Beach are in a Special Flood Hazard Area; homebuyers here must purchase flood insurance and receive special permits for construction projects. Ingram says that flooding is uncommon, and the city’s ongoing infrastructure projects are working to improve occasional flooding along roadways.
Heightened crime during spring break
Panama City Beach has higher crime rates during the summer and spring break. However, the city reported decreased violent crime rates in early 2024. Police are cracking down on spring breakers by implementing tighter rules during March, like limiting alcohol on the beach.
Written By
Brennen Martin
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
Video By
Kyle Keyes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Panama City Beach, FL sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Panama City Beach, FL over the last 12 months is $465,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rental projections up to $28K! Your turn-key coastal lifestyle awaits at 1307A in St. Thomas Square. This well-appointed residence, nestled behind private gates and perfectly perched above the vibrant local retail/restaurant spaces of the Plaza, offers over 620 sq ft of meticulously designed living space. Revel in the sophistication of ideal interior upgrades and unwind on your private balcony
CUSTOM LAKE FRONT HOME WITH PRIVATE DOCK, BOATHOUSE FEATURING 6K pd REMOTE BOATLIFT, AND PRIVATE BEACH ON SOUGHT AFTER LAKE POWELL! Owner Finance option up to $500k. Minutes from Inlet Beach and famous 30A shopping and dining. 1 mile stroll to gulf access 95! Follow the private driveway to a meticulously maintained thoughtfully designed move in ready masterpiece. NO HOA! 3 car garage with plenty
Experience beachfront living and strong rental potential in this beautifully updated 2-bed, 2-bath Gulf-front townhome on Panama City Beach. This turnkey, fully furnished unit comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests, featuring a sleeper sofa and a unique bonus bunk room hidden inside the primary walk-in closet—a guest favorite and revenue booster. Inside, the property has been thoughtfully renovated
Discover the Ultimate in Coastal Luxury at 80 Shore Bridge Circle! Step into timeless elegance at 80 Shore Bridge Circle, an extraordinary residence located within the exclusive Bridges section of the gated Watersound Beach community in Inlet Beach, Florida. This stunning property offers an unmatched combination of refined design, modern comfort, and ultimate privacy, all just moments from the
This charming property has character that is above and beyond. Owners have thought of every detail. The outdoor living space boasts a very large deck with an outside bar with BBQ grill, and a fire pit with lovely outdoor patio furniture all around. Some privacy fencing. Access to both structures to the deck & grill area.. Two bedroom, one bath in main house, 3rd bedroom and bath in the detached
Price Improvement! Buyer Incentives/Seller Concessions offered with acceptable offer. Situated in the heart of Summer Breeze—one of West Panama City Beach's most cherished communities—this thoughtfully designed home on quiet Nautical Way offers comfort, flexibility and a lifestyle defined by ease. Just a short stroll or golf cart ride from Pier Park, public beach access and local favorites like
Experience comfort, convenience, and coastal living in this beautiful, brand-new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath end-unit townhome in the highly sought-after Bayside at Ward Creek community. Built in 2024, this pristine home offers a bright, open floor plan with a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances, and a cozy dining space perfect for everyday living
Immediate move in available for this BRAND NEW 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Bellview Floorplan in Breakwater! Located minutes from the NEW HOSPITAL and the AIRPORT all within a GATED COMMUNITY that will have their amenities built in the Spring of 2026!At the heart of this home is a well-equipped kitchen featuring a center island with a breakfast bar that opens into an airy great room, perfect for
Live the coveted 55+ community of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound right now! Home available for over 6 months. Relax on your private porch of this gorgeous Camelia Cottage with a private preserve view. Fully Furnished/Turnkey and all appliances included (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer). ALL utilities included with a monthly cap of $300. There is a fireplace too!
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
