SoWal and 30A

Please note: these pages of living30a will always be under construction.

The Beaches of South Walton County are in a word, special. A collection of 16 unique beach neighborhoods, characterized by sugar-white sands, sea oats and beach dunes bordered to the south by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it doesn’t take long to see why South Walton County is so popular. It is also one of the fastest-growing areas in Florida. In 2000 the population of Walton County residents was 40,607, by 2010 it grew to 55,043 and in 2020 that number is closer to 72,000.

Our economy is largely based on hospitality. During the summer months, we draw over 2 million tourists. Southerners from Alabama and Georgia have been building family traditions and vacation memories here for many years. And they largely kept the 26 miles of pristine beaches of this northwest Florida paradise a secret. But the secret got out in the ‘80s after Robert and Daryl Davis started building their Seaside, FL. Another tipping point occurred when, because of its idyllic setting, in 1998 Scott Rudin Productions shot The Truman Show there starring John Carrey. If you are interested in Urban Planning, you will know that Seaside, FL plays a very important role in the New Urbanism story.

From Miramar Beach to Inlet Beach the water along the beaches of South Walton and the sparkling white sand is what will draw you and the unique architecture, great shopping, colorful galleries, culinary adventures, and world-class entertainment will bring you back or convince you to stay. Studies show 94% of people who come here plan to return.

Two things about our county help to keep it beautiful: Our parks and forests. About 40% of our land is preserved for nature. The building height restriction is limited to 50 feet (more or less...some folks seem to fudge a little with the rules lately). At the western access of Scenic Highway 30A you will find Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. We also enjoy Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park and Point Washington State Forest. Our parks and beaches put the scenic in our scenic corridor rating.

Following the success of Seaside, master-planned communities like WaterColor, Alys Beach, WaterSound, and Rosemary Beach staked their claim. Those communities enjoy architecture and world-class amenities that will please the most discriminating tastes. The equally wonderful “unplanned communities” like Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove, and Seacrest are much more eclectic with distinct personalities of their own. In any case, there is room for almost any budget in terms of real estate prices.

The TDC map shows the corridor and describes the towns in marketing speak. It doesn’t take long to appreciate the personalities and to start identifying with your favorite.

An excellent place to live and work, South Walton County is also a great place to retire or own a second home. There is plenty to do to occupy leisure time. The Cultural Arts Alliance always has a number of fun ways to volunteer in the community. Churches and charitable organizations are active and plentiful.

My pictorial tour of what we recommend in no special order.