City of Pensacola Florida

PENSACOLA IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN PLACES TO LIVE

10 LOW-COST LOCALES WHERE JOBS ARE PLENTIFUL

7. Pensacola, Ferry Pass and Brent, Fla.

Residents here say there's one overwhelming reason to move here: the beach. With 52 miles of white sand and clear emerald water, Pensacola's beaches could stand in for some Caribbean locales, says James Vines, a local relocation specialist with Brownsville Self Storage. "We get eight months of summer" to enjoy it, he says.

Pensacola has a rich history, having changed hands among nations 13 times. There's a lively bar scene, but not a huge helping of arts and entertainment, Sperling says. And there is a distinct hurricane risk associated with living in the area. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and 2005's Hurricane Dennis took their toll on some of the area's houses, bridges and highways. Still, Vines says the area is rebuilding and in the last year, he's "seen an explosion in Escambia County."

Historically, much of the economy was centered on the military, including the Pensacola Naval Air Station. But the economy is now diversifying to include health care and technology businesses. It's also home to the 9,000-student University of West Florida.

Pensacola, Ferry Pass and Brent, Fla.		U.S. avg.
Area population	438,226	647,500
Median home price	$223,900	$235,000
Cost-of-living index	99.5	100.0
Unemployment rate	3.4%	4.6%
Job growth -- 5 years	10.61%	4.90%
Job growth -- 1 year	3.86%	1.66%
Median household income	$43,566	$46,326

http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=3863709&GT1=10341

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