BAY COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$199,800 |
$191,400 |
$159,500 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$286,500 |
$250,000 |
$165,00 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also higher
than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price range in
Bay County. Median prices shown above are for the Panama City MSA. The statistics are meant to give you a
feel for the area as compared to others you may be considering and to show the direction of the market.
Taxes
Visit Buy A Home In Florida for comprehensive property tax information.
Weather
Average High/Low in January 62/39, in July 89/71
Bay County is known for its sugary white sand beaches, but it also has so much more to offer. Bay County is located in the heart of Florida’s Great Northwest overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Panama City is the County Seat and there are small beach towns galore including Mexico Beach and Rosemary Beach.
Bay County combines imagination and entertainment with natural beauty and Southern hospitality. With 27 miles of white sandy beaches to explore, snorkeling, fishing, boating, and diving are sure to get your feet wet. Beyond the beach, Bay County enriches the lives of residents with a strong cultural presence through the Bay Arts Alliance and other organizations.
The growing community lures people in with the beauty of the area, business and educational opportunities, cultural activities and Southern charm. A seemingly leisurely lifestyle rests on the surface of a booming economy that provides an excellent quality of life to its citizens. Big city life with small town appeal makes Bay County a wonderful place to live.
Events
From ritzy galas and local sporting events to family-friendly fairs and beachfront concerts, you’ll find a plethora of fun-filled events here in Bay County. The events listed below are all in Panama City Beach, but the smaller towns have their own extensive lists! You’ll find a variety of different options to satisfy all your entertainment needs.
Arts & Culture
Bay County takes its culture very seriously. Generous support is given to various arts organization and annual events. Residents and visitors alike flock to the “big city” productions that forgo the “big city” prices. Writers, artists, and actors combine their talents to ensure a strong cultural presence
in Bay County through the Bay Arts Alliance and other community organizations. Theatrical productions, ballets, concerts, art exhibits, and other cultural events are all brought to the community by the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, the Martin Theatre, Kaleidoscope Theatre, the Gulf Jazz Society, and the Junior Museum of Bay County
Parks & Recreation
The Gulf of Mexico, Deer Point Lake, and other waterways along with a mild year-round climate combine to make Bay County one of the finest recreational areas in the southeast. Nationally known for its sugar-white sand beaches, Panama City Beach is the capital of Florida’s Miracle Strip beaches and resort attractions. Also available are commercial boating and fishing throughout all of Bay County’s fresh and salt water areas.
There are recreational facilities for public use including, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Glenwood Community Center, Oakland Terrace Park Center and Renegade Sports Center. Numerous outdoor public parks are located throughout Bay County ranging from nature to walking parks. With all of these opportunities it is hard to resist everything Bay County has to offer!
Fishing enthusiasts, get ready to bait those hooks and fish the gorgeous Gulf coast waters. The remarkably deep waters off the coast of Bay County put you as close to the action as you can get. Along with our Gulf waters, we have inland, spring-fed creeks and bay flats which offer a rich bounty. Novice and experienced anglers alike will be thrilled with the multitude of fresh and salt water options Bay County fishing offers.
Bay County diving is ideal, thanks to gorgeous emerald waters, sparkling Florida sunshine and a multitude of natural, historical and artificial reefs. Known as the "Wreck Capital of the South," the underwater environment offers an incredible area for divers to explore. Find the best in Florida wreck diving right here.
In addition to wrecks, 50 artificial reefs have been developed off Panama City Beach as part of a community-coordinated project with the Panama City Marine Institute. Allowing for the additional growth of exotic sea life, these reefs include Stage I, Stage II, fifteen 160-foot long and 35-foot high bridge spans, ten barges, the City of Atlantis, the LOSS Project and others. These allow for fabulous opportunities for diving in Florida.
The natural reefs, just a few miles offshore, range in depth from 80 to 100 feet and from three to eight feet in height. They offer an ideal spot for viewing a plethora of underwater creatures, including small corals and colorful sponges. Closer to shore, the jetties at St. Andrews State Park are popular spots for snorkelers.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for more information on fishing and our Guide to Establishing Florida Residency for Florida fishing license information.
Beaches
With over 27 miles of bright white sand and clear emerald waters, the natural beauty of our beaches is nothing short of spectacular! Bay County Beaches offer an easily accessible tropical paradises, with plenty of opportunities for beach-lovers to bask in the Florida sun.
Panama City Beach Florida beaches have been honored with numerous beach awards throughout the years including:
- #2 Beach in America (St. Andrews State Recreation Area) - TripAdvisor, March 2008
- One of America's 20 Most Beautiful Beaches - Conde Nast Traveler, 2006
- Top Ten Family Beach Destination - USA Today, 2005
- #8 Beach in Florida - The Travel Channel, March 2005
For comprehensive Beach information check out The Florida Beach Book. It also has gift certificates to the best Florida restaurants on or near the beaches.
Golf
Panama City was the third nationally ranked “Best Little Golf Town in
America” in a 2002 Golf Digest survey. With more than 20 courses in a 40-mile radius, combined with moderate temperatures and an average of 320 sunny days a
year, who could resist?
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Hospitals
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
For comprehensive information on Lifelong Learning, visit the Your Florida Lifestyle section on our home page.
Airports
Panama City-Bay County International Airport
Shopping
The crown jewel of the county is the newly opened Pier Park. At roughly 1 million square feet, the open-air complex is the largest shopping and entertainment venue in Northwest Florida. This brightly colored gem features a combination of national chain stores and local favorites, making for unsurpassed Florida shopping. You can find everything from seashell jewelry and gourmet popcorn to business attire and designer handbags. Another notable spot for Panama City Beach Florida shopping is Grand Panama Beach Resort, which features 55,000 square feet of high fashion clothing and accessory boutiques with a spa, wine tasting market, various restaurants and a host of shops.
Bay County, Florida, Cities & Towns
Incorporated
Unincorporated
Census Designated places
Additional Resources:
Bay County Government http://www.co.bay.fl.us/
Panama City Beach Visitor Information http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/
Featured Towns/Cities
Panama City
As the community grows, so do the cultural opportunities. The area is blessed with abundant natural beauty, from glittering Gulf waters and white beaches, to the oak-lined shore of St. Andrews Bay. In this setting, the arts and humanities have flourished and enriched the lives of area residents.
Panama City is fortunate to have had a strong beginning with groups such as the Music and Art Association, Friends of the Library, and Historical Society providing cultural events for many years. These groups have been joined by many others in recent years. To list just a few: Bay Arts Alliance, Junior Museum, Visual Arts Center, and the Spring Festival of Arts.
Panama City maintains 37 Parks and 2 full service marinas giving residents a wide variety of recreational activities. The City offers recreational areas with playground equipment, basketball courts, ball-fields, tennis courts, nature parks, and picnic areas. If deep sea fishing is desired, there are several charter boats to choose from at the St. Andrews Marina.
There is heavy influence of military retirees in Panama City with Tyndall Air Force Base and the Navy Coastal Systems Station, being the county’s largest employers. Housing is inexpensive compared to many other parts of Florida and that’s a big draw. Even Florida beach front condos are affordable. Panama City could be great choice!
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Panama City or Bay County, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Panama City who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
