PROS and CONS of Living in Shalimar Florida

You're considering moving to the Fort Walton Beach area and you're curious what this little small town called Shalimar is all about. Well, I have personally reached out to a handful of people that actually live in Shalimar Florida. So, I was able to get their take on the PROS and CONS of living in Shalimar.

Alright! So, let me kick it off with the PROS

1. Some of the Neighborhood are being Upgraded

That some of the neighborhoods are being upgraded. That some of the locals did say how they like to drive and see how there are some newer homes being built. Now, even some of the homes that are older, there are a lot of homes being completely remodeled. So, it's kind of like even though they have been in the area, some of the locals in an area for a very long time. You like to see that some of the areas are getting their own little makeover, a little upgrade to the small town of Shalimar. So, you still have your option to buy an older home that has been remodeled or you have your opportunity to buy a newer home as well as some new constructions built in certain areas and Shalimar. So, if you would like some information on that, please feel free to reach out to me and I'll have that information for you.

2. Shalimar is Located Just Minutes Away From EGLIN AIR FORCE Base 

So, as you may know, Fort Walton Beach is a military town, because we were located right in between Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. But for those military families that are stationed on Eglin, it's just a very short commute. But even if you are stationed in Hurlburt Field, it's still a close drive, maybe about 20 minutes. But it just really depends on where you're located and what time of the day that you're actually driving because there is obviously rush hour and most cities. So, either way, Shalimar is located in between both bases, but it is located just minutes away from Eglin Air Force Base. So, it's really a short drive to and from work.

3. There Are Many Restaurants To Choose From

Now, Shalimar isn't a big town. So, it's not like you have a whole strip of dozens and dozens of restaurants to choose from. But if you're hungry and you just want a quick bite to eat, you do have a short commute to a few restaurants to choose from whatever your taste buds are calling for. There's a Mexican restaurant in Shalimar. There's Greek restaurant at the Smoothie joint. There's also a couple of burger places if you need that burger fix and there's also a Sonics and I mean who doesn't love a good ice cream or a Sonic Blast from Sonic. So, there's a quick drive me to get you a quick sweet treat. But again, like I said, there's a few to choose from. You don't have to drive very far. Just like I said, Shalimar is small but you still have your options to satisfy your taste buds need.

4. Shalimar Is Surrounded By Water

So, whether you're on the bayside or on the bayou side, you have your opportunity to buy a waterfront home. Whether you need your private dock or you need access to a boat launch, they have that available in Shalimar. Or if you'd like to go fishing, pretty much has it all for the, you know, small little location if you want to. Again, take your kids out fishing or just go put your butt out in the water without having to drive a long distance. Shalimar has it right there. Like I said, it's pretty much surrounded by water. So, you have to check that patchy bay. And there's also the upside on the bayou. So either way, you'll be able to access the water pretty quickly.

5. Shalimar Is Just A Quick Drive To The Beach

You're looking at maybe 10 to 15 minutes, maybe a little bit more just depending on the day or the time of day that you're trying to get to the beach, especially the time of year. That would make a difference, too. But it really is a pretty quick shot to Okaloosa Island or a little bit further if you want to go to Destin. You're looking at maybe 25, 30 minutes tops just depending again on the traffic and the time of day. But again, Shalimar even though you have your options as I mentioned earlier to, you know, be on the bay or the bayou. You just want to sit out on the beautiful whitesands. You're just minutes away from the beautiful beaches.

Alright! So, now let's talk about the CONS and what our local Shalimar residents don't really like about Shalimar.

1. Lack Of Shopping Options

Again, as I mentioned earlier, Shalimar isn't that big of a town. So, you do have limited options. I mean, there's like a furniture store and a little quick trips like that Dollar Tree, things like that. But if you like to go shopping some retail therapy as you will, you'd have to drive into Fort Walton or Destin. Not too far of a drive, but still you're not just across the street from your own home. So, it's not as bad, but again, this is coming from the locals. If they want to go shopping, they do have to kind of step outside of Shalimar and find what it is that they're looking for.

2. Some Of The Houses Are A Little Close Together

So, some of our local residents did say they don't like how close the neighbors are. They don't necessarily like the idea of being able to reach out the window and maybe shake your neighbor's hand. Not that you should during this time of 2020. But, they don't like how they don't have, you know, that space, their own feel of their own property being separated from the neighbors. Kind of tight-spaced in some of the areas in Shalimar, but if that doesn't bother you being, you know, close and friendly with your neighbors, then it probably won't be a con for you.

3. Lack Of Entertainment

So, there's not really much going on as far as nightlife in Shalimar, Florida. So, if you are one that likes to go out at night, maybe go bar hopping or go to clubs, you won't find that in Shalimar Florida. But, you can have the option to drive to downtown Fort Walton Beach or Destin, Miramar. If you want to drive even further, you can check out Pensacola maybe about an hour or so away depending on what route you take. But just know that there is a lack of entertainment in Shalimar, Florida.

4. Shalimar Is A Very Small Town

Now, the population in 2018 was only 824 but, you know, that's only a con for those of you that are used to living in big larger neighborhoods or larger areas where lots of movement going on. So, you know, Shalimar is a very small town where a lot of people mainly just drive through. If you don't actually live there. But if that's okay with you, then maybe the small place of Shalimar is the right spot for you.

5. The Traffic Can Be Pretty Bad During Peak Hours

The traffic can get pretty bad during traffic hours obviously. But, what town doesn't have a better rush hour, right? So, again as I mentioned earlier, Shalimar is located just a few minutes away from Eglin Air Force Base. So, with the military base being right there, a lot of people are getting off at the same time. We're going to work at the same time. So, the lanes in Shalimar can be a little bumper to bumper at certain times. It's not too bad. just make sure you just use caution once you jump out into that traffic because Shalimar is pretty much a through town. So, it's like one way in one way out. So there's not really any other ways to avoid that traffic. So, just be patient.

Alright! Well, I hope those PROS and CONS of living in Shalimar give you a better idea if it might be the place for you. Again, that information was coming from a residence that actually lives in Shalimar, Florida. And, they did give their honest opinion because I have my own thoughts on what I figured it might be like living in Shalimar. But I don't actually live there and never have. So, I thought would be great for me to get the insights of people that actually live there to give you the information that you're looking for. If you have any questions about anything that we had mentioned, please feel free to call/text us at 850.320.7757 or email us at Admin@WhittemoreGroupRE.com