Valparaiso offers small-town living near the Eglin Air Force Base
Compared to its twin city of Niceville, Valparaiso offers relatively low housing values near the Eglin Air Force Base and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. "You're literally five minutes from the front gate of the air base, no matter where you are in Valparaiso," says Joe Fagundes, luxury collections specialist and commercial advisor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. He's lived in the area for nearly 20 years and has served homebuyers since 2018. "It's a little bit more affordable than Niceville, partly due to the runways and the noise, which they try to make sure is not too crazy for many of us." Valparaiso's location along the water, in the heart of the Florida Panhandle, also draws folks to the area. "It's a small town in a good location," Fagundes says. Destin and the Gulf Coast are about 20 miles south.
Older homes with modern updates and bayou views
Most homes in Valparaiso have been around for a few decades. "Some neighborhoods [on the community's west end] have been there for a long time, and people have lived there for a while," Fagundes says. "But mostly what you see now is people buying properties and totally renovating them. There is a great opportunity to buy restored homes." Buyers will find a mix of ranch-style, New Traditional and contemporary colonial homes. New construction is limited, but not uncommon. Homes typically sit on a quarter to half-acre lot, and Fagundes says people tend to take care of their yards. "I can't tell you how many people have gardens," he says. Many homes border Boggy and Toms Bayou, but Fagundes says they're hard to come by. The median sale price for a home in Valparaiso is around $320,000.
Okaloosa County Schools earn high remarks on Niche
Niche ranks the Okaloosa County School District among Florida's top 10 best districts, giving it an overall A-minus. Addie R. Lewis School serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students and receives a B-plus. Niche ranks Niceville High School as the second-best overall public high school in Okaloosa County, giving it an A. The high school offers several career and technical education programs, including digital design, web programming and culinary arts. Valparaiso is also home to Okaloosa STEMM Academy, a public middle school for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Students must apply to enroll. Niche gives the school an A.
Bayou access, playgrounds and sports courts across town
Valparaiso has a couple of waterfront parks where folks can easily access the bayous. "This whole area is water-based," Fagundes says. "Lincoln Park is a city-owned park directly on Boggy Bayou. It's a favorite for people to swim, hang out and watch the water." Lincoln Park's boat ramp is operable 24 hours a day, and a playground and picnic tables are available steps from the shore. Florida Park offers an additional boat launch popular with kayakers, with a small walking path, picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids. Fishing is permitted at both parks, but there's also a public pier off Bayshore Drive for when crowds get big. Valparaiso also has plenty of inland recreational space with sports facilities, playgrounds and walking paths; Marion Ruckel Recreational Facility has tennis and basketball courts, and Little League Park has a few baseball diamonds.
Local dining includes bayou views, Italian fare and pho
John Sims Parkway winds around Boggy Bayou and cuts through the heart of Valparaiso, serving as the community's main commercial artery. The Boathouse Landing sits just off the Parkway, settled along Boggy Bayou, and offers fresh catches for dinner and a popular weekend brunch. The restaurant has plenty of patio seating overlooking the water. TradeWinds draws folks looking for traditional Italian plates. "It's one of the very best restaurants in the whole area," Fagundes says. "You can not get in there unless you book a reservation three weeks out. People come from Destin to eat there." Some other popular spots include Doc's Oyster Bar on Toms Bayou and Pho Nguyen Vietnamese Noodle. Some convenience stores and seafood markets line John Sims Parkway, but residents often head into Niceville for big-box stores. Aldi and Walmart Supercenter are about 4 miles east.
Main roads connect Valparaiso to Niceville and nearby cities
Locals mainly depend on cars to get around. John Sims Parkway, also known as Florida State Road 20, is the community's primary thoroughfare, connecting it with central Niceville about 3 miles away. Commuters also have quick access to Florida State Road 85. Active duty military members and their families can access Eglin Air Force Base Hospital, and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital is about 3 miles north. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport offers domestic commercial flights just west of the community.
Coastal storms are a concern but flooding is less common here
Tropical weather is a threat on the Gulf Coast. According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Okaloosa County has a relatively high risk of hurricanes. "The good news is that [Valparaiso] is not directly exposed to all the water in the bay," Fagundes says. "Most areas are elevated, and flood insurance is not required." Flood insurance is often still recommended.
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Brennen Martin
