Water is a magnet in Pretty Bayou
Pretty Bayou is a seat for the seafaring, a community whose coastal location has long made it attractive to those who enjoy a nautical lifestyle. “It’s notorious for many years for being one of the boat- and water-lover communities,” says Krista Navarro, a local realtor with Gulf Real Estate. “You can access the Bay. You can access the Gulf.” And many can do it right from their backyards because waterfront property abounds here. Away from the water, Pretty Bayou harbors a tranquil, mostly residential atmosphere while still conveniently close to the amenity-filled core of Panama City and the thriving tourist haven of Panama City Beach.
Plenty to explore with residents’ pick of water sports
It’s easy to see why this community attracts those who enjoy the sea. Both Pretty Bayou itself and Robinson Bayou cut into the area’s coastline and the entire shore faces the Grand Lagoon, which flows right into the Saint Andrew Bay and then the Gulf of Mexico. So there’s no shortage of spots for boaters here to peruse. They can go fishing for black drum, redfish and snapper, for example. Or they can take a trip south to Shell Island, which is only accessible by boat and has 7 miles of undeveloped beachfront speckled with shells, befitting of its name. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular in the area waters, too, says Janet Melton, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida. When it’s time to take a break from the water, locals have neighborhood spots like Island View Park at their disposal, too, filled with a playground and basketball court.
Established properties fuse with new options
The majority of Pretty Bayou is dotted with homes built in the mid-20th century. Single-story ranch-style and Craftsman-style options are common, as are multistory colonial houses. Homes here tend to be spacious, with floor plans averaging over 2,100 square feet. Pretty Bayou has some new construction as well, repurposing some of the coveted coastal property here. “Probably the fact that there are still large pieces of land available where people originally had larger homes with additional acreage, now willing to let that go and develop it,” says Navarro, who has almost 40 years of real estate experience.
The community maintains a suburban feel, thanks to its green lawns and narrow streets. There are some homes in Pretty Bayou that need work that sell for prices in the $100,000s. Most options here, including those on the water, fall in a range from the $300,000s to the $800,000s based on square footage.
SweetBay offers sweet convenience
Pretty Bayou runs adjacent to SweetBay, a 700-acre master-planned development that’s a big draw to the area. SweetBay is known in part for its regular schedule of community events, which are within arm’s reach for Pretty Bayou residents. “There’s just always something going on,” says Melton, who has more than 20 years of experience. A farmers market, Market Square at SweetBay, is one of the anchors. It is held each Sunday and is full of everything from handmade jewelry to fresh produce. Those with four-legged friends can also participate in SweetBay’s periodic Bark in the Park events at Academy Park, complete with food trucks and live music.
Have a time at Holi
There may be a limited number of restaurants in the immediate Pretty Bayou area, but there are some hits close by. Holi Indian Grill is one Navarro describes as hugely popular, for the naan bread as much as entrees like the butter chicken. Tudor's Biscuit World down the road is very popular as well, Navarro says, for breakfast and lunch. It’s the lone Florida location of a chain mostly centered in West Virginia. Locals’ appetites may take them farther south or west toward Saint Andrews or Downtown Panama City, where there are many more local favorites — Uncle Ernie’s is a hotspot in Saint Andrews, not just for the food but also for the sunsets. Also, West 23rd Street by Pretty Bayou has a Winn-Dixie, between Holi and Tudor’s, convenient for grabbing groceries and other needs.
Bay High is a boon among Bay District schools
The Bay District school system covers Pretty Bayou residents, one with a B-plus overall grade on Niche. Most students in this area start at the B-rated Northside Elementary, whose extracurricular opportunities include a STEM club and a LEGO club. Students can then try their hands at sports teams ranging from basketball to track at the B-minus-rated Jinks Middle before exploring programs like digital design and engineering at B-plus-rated Bay High.
Stick to State Road 368 for commutes in and out of Pretty Bayou
West 23rd Street, part of State Road 368, is the main artery Pretty Bayou commuters can use to get around. Drivers here can use that route to connect to U.S. Route 98 for heading across the Hathaway Bridge and over to Panama City Beach, whose beaches full of sugary sand are a magnet for some 4.5 million visitors each year. Also, Frankford Avenue, one of State Road 368’s cross streets, can take people down toward Downtown Panama City, roughly 5 miles away. State Road 368 has multiple stops in the area’s Bayway bus system as well.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
