My Home is Number Two
by Why I love my home.
Image via Wikipedia
My husband Craig is retired Navy. Because of his years of service we have traveled and lived in many states. While I sometimes found this exciting and at other times upsetting, it was a part of our lives. Our travels gave us a chance to meet many new people (many of whom are still friends today) and experience different cultures.
That being said I want to tell you about my favorite place in the world. No, not Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which is my second favorite place in the world, but Pensacola, Florida.
Pensacola holds a special place in my heart. I moved here in 1980 and took my first job as a nurse at West Florida Hospital. In 1981, I met the love of my life, my husband, Craig and we were married on January 8, 1982. We welcomed our first child later in 1982, a son and our daughter soon followed in 1983.
After the birth of our daughter we began to travel as the Navy directed us. In 1987, we returned to Pensacola, and as my husband was out to sea for a while, we were stationed here for close to five years.
Another duty station in Corpus Christi, Texas and finally retirement from the Navy in 1997, found us back to our home in Pensacola and the house we had rented while we were away. We have been back in Pensacola for twelve years. We have had our share of joys and sorrows. Our son was married here and started a family. Our daughter has grown up with a life of her own but lives close by. We are a classic empty nest couple.
Here are a few of the reasons why I love Pensacola, Florida.
First the weather: The hot summer days on the sandy white beaches or the local water-park, lovely fall weather with just a hint of autumn colors and enough cool to cold winter days to allow you to wear your heavy coat and turtleneck sweater. Yes, we get to use our fireplaces in the winter.
Second: All the arts and craft festivals, starting in September with the Seafood Festival (my personal favorite) you can always find a festival to fill your weekends with pleasure. If there is not a festival, there are always plenty of tours. October, finds Haunted History Tours in downtown Pensacola, December is Winter Fest and of course the dropping of the Pelican on New Years Eve. This is only a small taste of what my Pensacola has to offer.
Third: My favorite reason, I love Pensacola, is ballroom dancing. Pensacola has a large community of ballroom dancers with several studios. My favorite is Pensacola Ballroom Studio. It is a family owned studio where you feel at home and the dancers become like a second family.
Fourth: The history, Pensacola, Florida is known as the City of Five Flags. In its long history it was under the rule of five different nations. The Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Pickens and Seville Quarter are rich in history and ghost stories.
Fifth: The low cost of living and friendly people. Here neighbors still throw up a hand to wave and will help you if needed.
Why do you ask, am I telling you how much I love Pensacola? Well this weekend it made the Top Five List of Best Places to Retire. Compiled exclusively for USA Weekend by Coldwell Banker and date experts from Onboard Informatics, towns were rated on recreation, weather, health resources, crime and cost of living.
TOP FIVE PLACES TO RETIRE
5. Butte-Silver Bow, Montana
4. Traverse City, Michigan
3. Creve Coeur, Missouri
2. Pensacola, Florida
1. Helena, Montana
I know with all the hits our retirement plans are taking it may be a while before most of us retire, but when you do think about Pensacola, Florida. It did rate number two on the list and would have made number one if it wasn’t for those darn old hurricanes.
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Post CommentKaren Gross
On July 29, 2009 at 11:16 am
Sounds heavenly, but I would miss snow.
Bo Russo
On July 29, 2009 at 11:41 am
Sounds cool Pam,I’ve never seen white sand,but I’ll probably stay in San Diego till my time is up.PS We still have more palm trees than you!!
papaleng
On July 29, 2009 at 11:52 am
great place, The weather in Florida is similar to our place.
CHAN LEE PENG
On July 29, 2009 at 11:53 am
Your home is the safest, and most comfortable place for you to harbor. Thanks and have my liked it.
ken bultman
On July 29, 2009 at 11:58 am
You have a right to be proud of your town, Number 2 or not.
sheba
On July 29, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing!
Daisy Peasblossom
On July 29, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Great reasons for loving your home. The beach would be fantastic; but I would miss the changing colors. I might even miss snow–but I might not. Maybe I should visit Pensacola in the winter when I retire?
nobert soloria bermosa
On July 29, 2009 at 6:46 pm
lovely place my friend and nice reasons to live there
nobert soloria bermosa
On July 30, 2009 at 4:11 am
just SUd it my friend
Moses Ingram
On July 30, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for sharing,
clafleur
On July 30, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I always wanted to visit florida, but you have me thinking of your pensacola. I always thought miami, orlando and tampa were my list of destinations, but the beach pic has me dreaming.
Ruby Hawk
On July 30, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Pam, it sounds wonderful to me.I love the green sea water and white sandy beaches. If I were intended to retire away from Georgia it would be there.
Melody SJAL
On July 30, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Very good reasons to love your home place.
Ralph Brandt
On July 31, 2009 at 1:35 pm
You need to have Obama declare hurricanes illegal.
Ruby Hawk
On July 31, 2009 at 2:19 pm
another I like,
Brian Daniel Stankich
On July 31, 2009 at 9:09 pm
That’s sweet, Pam. Your history is interesting! I haven’t made it to Pensacola yet. Nice move…and congrads on top 5 showing! Brian
Momma Tells
On August 2, 2009 at 1:00 am
Ranking number two is pretty good! How is Pensacola for heat and humidity?
athena goodlight
On August 2, 2009 at 9:51 am
Thank you for your very informative descriptions of your place. It is inspiring to plan for retirement as early as now.
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa
On August 4, 2009 at 7:15 am
It sure looks like one of the best places to retire, my only draw back would be that July – August heat. I love the carribean, and coastal areas for about 2 weeks, then send me packing for the woods.
Well writen article, I have friends who were married to men in the military and they have lovely stories to tell, then again some not so great stories.
Thanx for sharing
clay hurtubise
On August 5, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Good job, you could work for the travel bureau!
Thanks,
clay
Christine Ramsay
On August 6, 2009 at 1:49 pm
It sounds like a wonderful place to live and a great place for retirement. A lovely read.
Christine
Nicholas Kenney
On August 8, 2009 at 9:28 pm
We enjoy Florida in the winter but it’s way too hot for us in the summer. Jan and I want to come down to go deep sea fishing.
You’re blessed, Pam.
Glad to see a part of my home made the list…Traverse City, Michigan!!
masteraliak47
On August 10, 2009 at 7:37 am
informative for retired folks, nice,
kathie107
On August 17, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I would like to visit other places, but now you talked about pensacola it sounds very nice.
Kate Smedley
On August 19, 2009 at 1:12 pm
It sounds like a lovely place to live, never mind the hurricanes, thanks for sharing Pam, it’s nice that you love it so much too.
Hazel Crowther
On August 21, 2009 at 7:56 am
Very nice, well done.
Goodselfme
On December 7, 2009 at 12:19 am
I would certainly agree for all your reasons you stated liking Pensacola Fla. even though I never lived there. You have some great reasons! I would suggest people think again about Butte and Helena MT. since the senior a person gets the less cold they like. Both those have LONG winters. I know I lived near them for 30 years.