Commuting

[CiaoBella]

Does anybody currently (or in the past) commute from So Wal to Defuniak or vice-versa? I have a friend who just got a job in So Wal and is considering living in Defuniak or Freeport due to high costs in So Wal? Any ideas or experiences :confused: ?

[Smiling JOe]

Does anybody currently (or in the past) commute from So Wal to Defuniak or vice-versa? I have a friend who just got a job in So Wal and is considering living in Defuniak or Freeport due to high costs in So Wal? Any ideas or experiences :confused: ?
I know plenty of construction workers who live in Mossy Head, located 10 miles west of Defuniak, and commute to So Wal. That equates to a 45 minute commute to Hwy 98, and usually an additional 10-15 minutes to their jobsite. There are a few new homes in South Walton which are cheaper than the entry level homes in Freeport. Rent is not much different between Freeport and So Wal. You may get lucky, but the best bet is to look in Defuniak Springs.

[CiaoBella]

Thanks for the info! Been years since we have been to Mossy Head. Its still not big enough for apartments is it? Defuniak seems like a nice "history packed" area, what apartments are there or are the rentals mainly homes etc? The only concern is the repetitive daily driving that takes a while but also, he is afraid he will be "out of the loop" living in outer areas.

[Cork On the Ocean]

Last year, I was living in Seacrest Beach and commuting to Ft Walton. Yuk. It was terrible and added 2 hours a day to my work schedule. Wouldn't want to do it again. Seems like north Santa Rosa Beach should have something reasonable. I don't do rentals but a friend who was paying 900/month on Brown st (30A) just got a cottage in NSanta Rosa Bch and she's paying about the same. Also, those little brick homes on 30A in Blue mountain were renting about 800/month and Heron's watch condos aren't too good for weekly rentals so might be a candidate. Just ran rentals in the MLS and came up with a house that doesn't look bad for $750/month.

http://ecarmls.com/EmeraldReports/listings.asp?ID=73335631

Good luck

[beachmouse]

I don't think Mossy Head has sewer yet, and you probably wouldn't see much apartment-wise there until that happens. But there have been ads for a bigger new development there with single family homes on 1/4 acre lots starting at $150K. (well they were advertising starting at $129K last month, but you know...) I think they're targeting young enlisted folks and midlevel service industry enployees who are getting priced out of Crestview.

If friend can swing the monthly payments, there are usually assorted first time moderate income homebuyer programs floating around out there where you don't need so much of a down payment.

[CiaoBella]

Thanks for all the info!! Surely he can find something that will fit his budget! After years of working in a huge city stuck in traffic, he is not crazy about a commute that adds hours on to the work day. Thanks again, as always...great info here!