Rosemary Beach versus Seagrove Beach

**melbrams** · 02-07-2012, 09:18 AM

Hello! I'm going to be in the area first part of June with my 4 year olf twins & 6 year old. We stayed in seaside two years ago & loved it but want something a bit different this time & maybe a bit less expensive. I have found houses (prefer private house rentals) in Rosemary Beach & then Seagrove but would love some advice on which area to go for. Also-0if you recommend Seagrove over RM, then there are a lot of areas I'm considering & would love advice on which ones you would focus on: example: Old Seagrove; Grove by the Seal Sea Beach Best & Gulf Mist; Summer's Edge & Eastern Lake; or Dunes Estate which is seagrove Beach East. Would love to have a pool that's close by & a beach that's easy for little ones to walk to. We don't mind getting in a car once in a while. Thanks for any incoming advice!

**beasmiester** · 02-07-2012, 03:02 PM

You might want to consider Seacrest Beach which is just west of Rosemary Beach and a little more affordable. With two young children, you can't beat Seacrest Beaches pool and trams running from your front door across 30A to the beach. You'll find that the traffic at the west end is considerably less than what you'd see in Seagrove or Seaside. I think that for a more family friendly area, you just can't beat Seacrest Beach.

PC · 02-07-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by beasmiester

You might want to consider Seacrest Beach which is just west of Rosemary Beach and a little more affordable. With two young children, you can't beat Seacrest Beaches pool and trams running from your front door across 30A to the beach. You'll find that the traffic at the west end is considerably less than what you'd see in Seagrove or Seaside. I think that for a more family friendly area, you just can't beat Seacrest Beach.

This is what we are doing this yr due to "overcrowding" in the areas of WaterC and seaside. Those places are just out of control with tourists and with no space to do anything. Seacrest and RMB remain somewhat quiet compared to those places.

**BeachbumAggie** · 02-08-2012, 08:23 AM

We really like Seagrove Beach and have stayed both beachside and across the street from the beach and even across and a block back with no problems. We liked Grand Isle condo which are over some shops and right across the street from the beach and the 3/2 would work well for ya'll. We liked the little villas of Bella Bungalows-kid friendly pool and block and a half walk to beach, Cassine townhouses are 2/2 and could work for ya'll or the houses in the Cassine Villages are cute, too. Summer's Edge has a neighborhood pool and I think is all beachside of the highway. Seagrove is affordable and an easy walk or bike ride to Seaside so you don't have to battle parking. It's a little far to bike to Rosemary from Seagrove unless your little ones have high endurance! The beaches aren't crowded and the neighborhoods with houses do not feel like you're on top of each other.

Seacrest neighborhood is a little close together and a lot of houses are in there so we decided against it. We had friends that stayed in the Magnolia Cottages that were a little close but the pool wasn't crowded and the walk to the beach was an easy straight shot and very affordable but nice and new.

**Andy A** · 02-08-2012, 08:55 AM

I think you are missing a great area. Blue Mountain Beach has two really top notch restaurants, a health food store, bicycle rentals and is much, much quiter than any of the others. Bella Vita, Sea Bluff and Adagio all have rentals, I believe, and all have pools and really close access to the beach. Sea Bluff is the least expensive and has a really nice pool. You might want to consider somewhere less touristy than the ones where you have previously stayed. If so, Blue Mountain Beach should be considered.

**BeachbumAggie** · 02-08-2012, 04:13 PM

I'm thinking of staying a week in Blue Mountain this summer myself, I love Stinky's Fish Camp!

**melbrams** · 02-08-2012, 06:53 PM

Hi Beachbumaggie! Question-have you heard anything about the Grove by the Sea community?

**Abby Prentiss** · 02-08-2012, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by melbrams

Hello! I'm going to be in the area first part of June with my 4 year olf twins & 6 year old. We stayed in seaside two years ago & loved it but want something a bit different this time & maybe a bit less expensive. I have found houses (prefer private house rentals) in Rosemary Beach & then Seagrove but would love some advice on which area to go for. Also-0if you recommend Seagrove over RM, then there are a lot of areas I'm considering & would love advice on which ones you would focus on: example: Old Seagrove; Grove by the Seal Sea Beach Best & Gulf Mist; Summer's Edge & Eastern Lake; or Dunes Estate which is seagrove Beach East. Would love to have a pool that's close by & a beach that's easy for little ones to walk to. We don't mind getting in a car once in a while. Thanks for any incoming advice!

Summer's Edge is great for families. Try for the south side of Eastern Lake Road which is by the pool and close to gulf.

Rosemary Beach is not less expensive than Seaside but you should strongly consider it. Much different flavor than Seaside but also first class with amazing restaurants. If too pricey you can stay right next door at Water's Edge or Seacrest Beach. http://www.beachdreamsproperties.com/caribbeandream/

**Beach Runner** · 02-08-2012, 08:18 PM

I like the Eastern Lake Road area for little ones. It's all south of 30A. My home is there, but it's really too big for 2 adults and 3 small children. One of my sister's homes is in Summer's Edge that would work for you.It was built when my nephews were under 10. Great memories. It's not a rental property, but with your small family, she'd consider renting it to you. I will PM you with her phone number.

**kupcakes** · 02-08-2012, 08:33 PM

We did Seacrest last year w our 3 year old and loved it. Could not keep him out of the pool. You also get to enjoy Rosemary which is walking distance. You will not be disappointed. The tram service is also a blessing to haul the kids and beach gear.

**BeachbumAggie** · 02-08-2012, 09:33 PM

We've not stayed in Grove by the Sea but we drove thru the neighborhood and it's very pretty, a bit of a hike to the beach but you can drive over to the beach park where they have the lifeguards, plenty of parking, bathrooms, shower, etc...Grove by the Sea has neighborhood pool as well as some homes with private pools.

Seagrove is very affordable and the rentals are really nice for the price. We stayed in a house in the neighborhood behind Angelina's pizza, just 2 streets of houses several with private pools and there's a neighborhood pool but you have to cross hwy.

Majestic Beach is in Seagrove and they look like houses but are condos and they are on the sand or the 2nd house from the sand-very handy for small kiddos

**RiverOtter** · 02-09-2012, 07:36 AM

This is why so many folks stay at High Pointe Resort. We have 660' of beach. I'm amazed at the 2 + rows of umbrellas nearly touching each other at RB. That's gotta be awkward.

**deborsk** · 02-12-2012, 08:18 PM

TheGrove by the Sea is a wonderful conmmunity...check out Muriel's Grove VRBO #10007--it's a great house.
I am a bit prejudiced, because we own it. But we are also permanent residents of the Grove--one of, if not THE best communities along 30A.

**Allifunn** · 02-19-2012, 08:01 AM

Seacrest does have the best pool!! It is near some wonderful dining (Georges, Caliza, Edwards, La Cocina (great Mexican and fun atmosphere), and there is always Shades and Spicy Noodle close by that are kid friendly. Pier Park is just 20 min. east...fun place for a day trip with the kids.

**tistheseason** · 03-08-2012, 07:04 AM

Seacrest really is a great area for kids! The pool, the tram, Charlie's donuts trucks, alys' grass mountain and playground, the green spaces in rosemary where kids gather in the evenings for pickup soccer games!

**James Bentwood** · 03-08-2012, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by tistheseason

Seacrest really is a great area for kids! The pool, the tram, Charlie's donuts trucks, alys' grass mountain and playground, the green spaces in rosemary where kids gather in the evenings for pickup soccer games!

Agree! Is the fountain running?

**iheart30a** · 03-31-2012, 06:59 PM

Fountain is not running in Seacrest ... And the grass around it is all dead and brown... It appears they are looking for someone to take on the financial responsibility of that and have that area listed for lease or sale... Very disappointing. I feel badly for the businesses around it.

**tistheseason** · 03-31-2012, 07:52 PM

That is disappointing to hear!

**Beach Runner** · 05-09-2012, 07:32 AM

I was clearing out some photos and happened to find these photos. Rosemary in the summer, Seagrove in the summer.

**Just_In_Thyme** · 05-09-2012, 02:57 PM

The beaches in Seagrove are much quieter it seems. We like to sit on our beach and walk over to Seaside when we want some "action"

**James Bentwood** · 05-11-2012, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

I was clearing out some photos and happened to find these photos. Rosemary in the summer, Seagrove in the summer.

Great pics!

**groveral** · 05-11-2012, 10:39 AM

have a house there. we consider it a great area. an easy 5 miute walk to the beach, 10 minute bike to seaside and less hectic than most other areas. a nice mix of full time owners and some rentals. a nice, quiet neighborhood with 2 pools.

**beasmiester** · 05-11-2012, 01:58 PM

Things have improved around the fountains and the lawn is being taken care of regularly by the owner. We miss having the fountains in full working order but the green space is looking good. On "Cinco Di Mayo", La Cocina sponsered a party with music and activities and everyone had a blast. Rumor has it that the folks in "The Villages" are trying to work with the owners of the fountains to get them running again but we'll have to wait and see.

**Beach Runner** · 06-15-2012, 09:30 PM

Bump.

**Annie66** · 06-16-2012, 06:27 AM

We found Seagrove Beach by accident more than 20 years ago. We owned condos in Destin for several years and after selling our Destin place more than 20 years ago we were looking for a less congested place and it brought us to Seagrove. On our first visit we knew we wanted a place of our own and we still have it. Seagrove doesn't have the flash of nearby Seaside and Rosemary but it's becoming more and more crowded but you're likely to find a rental here.