Pensacola Bay Area General Information

• 52 miles of shoreline
• 400,000 population
• Central time zone
• More than 95 daily flights (www.FlyPensacola.com)
• High season: April to August, value season: September to March
• 343 days of sunshine (give or take a few)

Average Temperatures

Names and Acclaims

Western Gate to the Sunshine State — Pensacola’s location in the western corner of Florida means we’re the first city to welcome our neighbors from the west.

City of Five Flags — Since 1559, Pensacola has been ruled by Spain, France, England, the Confederacy and the United States, bringing cultural diversity to our architecture, cuisine and celebrations.

Cradle of Naval Aviation — All Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators start their training in Pensacola.

We’re also home to the world-famous Blue Angels and one of the world’s largest aviation museums, the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Best Convention & Visitors Bureau — We were named CVB of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Best Beaches — Our beaches have been ranked among the best in the country by TripAdvisor, Dr. Beach and the Travel Channel. Our Gulf Islands National Seashore is the longest tract of protected seashore in the country.

USS Oriskany — This retired aircraft carrier was sunk off our shores to become the world’s largest artificial reef and a hot spot for scuba diving.

Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier — At 1,471 feet, it is the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pensacola Real Estate & Homes - Pensacola Real Estate Homes

MoneySmart

Top 5 places to retire

Our exclusive list examines small cities that offer big value.

By Reyhaneh Fathieh

With 401(k)s taking a hit, Americans are in no rush to retire now. But that doesn't mean they're not planning for their golden years. A recent survey of real estate agents, by Coldwell Banker, finds that many 50-somethings are buying their retirement homes now, well before they retire.

Driving trend: plummeting home prices and low interest rates. "The areas hardest hit by the recession can be prime spots for second-home seekers," says Jim Gillespie, Coldwell Banker CEO. Among them: Cape Coral-Fort Myers in Florida, where prices have dropped 59.1% in the last year; California's San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos area, down 29.6%; and Las Vegas-Paradise in Nevada, down 37.3%.

Below is our surprising list of the top five cities for young retirees (55 to 59), compiled exclusively for USA WEEKEND by Coldwell Banker and data experts Onboard Informatics. Rankings are weighted, in order, based on recreation, weather, health resources, crime and cost of living (in all five towns, it's below the national average).

Buy now, retire later in these hot markets

1. Helena, Mont. (pop. 28,726): This town has a local symphony and fine-art galleries. Nature lovers can trek 1,000-plus miles of mountain and forest trails. Median home price: $191,500.

2. Pensacola, Fla. (pop. 54,283): The sun always shines on its white beaches, it's super-safe (the crime rate is well below the national average), and the American Association baseball team boosts hometown spirit. Median home price: $137,200.

3. Creve Coeur, Mo. (pop. 16,933): Its 320-acre lake is a boating haven surrounded by picnic sites and an archery range. And St. Louis is a half-hour drive away. Median home price: $355,000.

4. Traverse City, Mich. (pop. 14,339): The "cherry capital" is famous for its vineyards. Plus, its health services are top-notch; the Munson Medical Center is consistently named one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation. Median home price: $129,500.

5. Butte-Silver Bow, Mont. (pop. 31,967): This area's 29 recreational facilities (golf courses, parks, pools) keep residents active. And Butte will host the National Folk Festival again next summer. Median home price: $108,500.

Oh, so close!

These cities almost made the cut, rounding out our "Top 20 Cities to Retire"

6. Scott Township, Pennsylvania
7. Carnot-Moon, Pennsylvania
8. Doctor Phillips, Florida
9. Municipality of Monroeville, Pennsylvania
10. Boardman, Ohio
11. Huron, South Dakota
12. Live Oak, California
13. Williston, North Dakota
14. St. Augustine, Florida
15. Middleburg Heights, Ohio
16. Birmingham, Michigan
17. Bellevue, Washington
18. Santa Fe, New Mexico
19. King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
20. Aventura, Florida