6 Reasons to Relocate to Santa Rosa Beach on Florida’s Emerald Coast

Nestled in the northwest corner of Florida, Santa Rosa Beach sits on a 26-mile (41 km) stretch of coastline that boasts crystal-clear water the color of sparkling gems—hence its moniker, the Emerald Coast. Santa Rosa Beach is one of 16 coastal neighborhoods in South Walton County, and offers some of the best fine dining, sports, and property in the area.

“In Santa Rosa Beach, even fine dining has a casual feel,” says Emily Velazquez, an architect who recently joined Archiscapes, a residential and commercial architecture firm in Santa Rosa Beach. “Families flock here for sun and fun, outdoor pursuits both on and off the water, and stunning waterfront homes with Gulf of Mexico views.”

1. Beautiful Beaches and Lakes  

Fine quartz crystals that have washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over thousands of years make the beaches here sparkling white, with a silky soft sand that is unique to the coastline and barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico. Abundant walking and biking trails coupled with plenty of sunshine make it easy to explore and get to know your neighbors.

Locals also love paddleboarding on one of the county’s 15 calm coastal dune lakes—one of only a handful of places around the world where the natural phenomena occur (New Zealand, Australia, and Madagascar are also on the list), and there’s a high chance you will spot a turtle or two. Many homeowners join the WaterSound Beach Club for weekend escapes in a private cabana.

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2. Protected Natural Surroundings 

Not surprisingly, many people start out vacationing here and decide to buy. Beyond the Caribbean-like water, every beach community is committed to preserving a significant amount of land. Hence there is an abundance of biking and walking trails that encourages residents to go outside for some vitamin D. In lieu of neon signs and high-rises there are noise ordinances and building height restrictions—no structure can be taller than 50 feet (15 m). “It keeps things on a smaller scale,” says Velazquez, who has lived in the area for 10 years. “Plus it’s part of the charm.”

Despite its rapid growth in the past decade—what was once a seasonal destination that peaked in the summer now enjoys a steady footfall year-round—Santa Rosa Beach maintains a reverence for its natural resources. Five state parks are within driving (or cycling) distance of each other and comprise thousands of acres of natural beauty.

Whether you’re fishing, walking, or cruising through them on two wheels, you’re likely to encounter everything from ancient oak trees dripping with Spanish moss to towering pines and even rolling sand dunes standing guard along breathtaking beaches—it’s all part of the Santa Rosa Beach experience.

3. A Haven for Boat Owners 

“Our skyline won’t ever have high-rises like nearby Destin or Panama City Beach,” says Adam Miller, broker associate at Go To The Beach Real Estate, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Santa Rosa Beach. “But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to grow north toward Choctawhatchee Bay,” he says. “The bayside is beautiful and there’s a big boating culture there, which makes living in Santa Rosa Beach the best of two worlds. You’ve got the Gulf of Mexico, which is pristine with its sandbars and tidepools, then you go to the bayside and you have docks and boats.” Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll see dolphins, as sightings are common throughout the area.

4. Pioneering Town Planning 

Santa Rosa Beach has many high-spec beach homes, many of them built in the past two decades. In particular, the area is known for communities designed in the New Urbanist style, which features a main square that serves as the hub for dining, shopping, and community events, flanked by lanes lined with homes with wide front porches.

The first and most well known community, Seaside, was the backdrop for the 1998 movie The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey, which shone an international spotlight on Santa Rosa Beach. Founded by celebrated developer Robert Davis, it is the first New Urban community built from the ground up.

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Regarded as a pristine example of the movement—which celebrates walkable communities with dining, shopping, entertainment, and parks—it welcomes architecture and design enthusiasts to its Seaside Institute, which hosts talks by famous designers and other special events. “This area is like a living museum for an architecture or design enthusiast,” says Miller.

5. Architectural Freedom 

In addition to Seaside’s coastal cottage vibe, there are more than a dozen other “perfect little beach towns” in Santa Rosa Beach, according to Miller. Alys Beach is inspired by the brilliant-white homes in Bermuda. Next door is Rosemary Beach, where houses are built in the Dutch West Indies style of architecture, in sea colors found in nature: plenty of blues and greens, plus rust and tan.

Nearby WaterColor has more of a Florida architectural vernacular in cool, coastal pastels. But beyond the uniqueness of each community’s design, they all have one thing in common: a lively town center with ice-cream parlors, wine bars, restaurants, and shops.

Gulf-front single-family homes are priced at about $5.6 million for an average of 3,676 square feet (341 sq m). Gulf-front condos with a little over 2,000 square feet (185 sq m) are $1.4 million. If you don’t mind a very short walk to the beach, single home prices drop by nearly two thirds of those on the water, to $1.9 million for 3,000 square feet (278 sq m) of living space.

With a community so focused on the impact design can have on daily life, custom homes are also extremely popular. “You can express yourself uniquely through architecture here,” Velazquez says. “People take pride in choosing a home that stands out and feels personal. It’s not cookie cutter. They’re looking for something that fits their personality, that shows it off.”

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6. Community Spirit 

There is a bevy of events and festivals you’d never expect to find in this corner of Florida. From the annual Digital Graffiti Festival at Alys Beach in May, to the 30A Songwriters Festival, to numerous food and wine events and art gallery walks, locals are always coming together. Cheer the ringing of the sunset bell at Bud & Alley’s in Seaside any night of the week, or snuggle up for date night on the rooftop bar of The Pearl in Rosemary Beach.

Most restaurants feature menus offering the day’s fresh catch, but you can find all types of cuisine in Santa Rosa Beach. Sample the famous Bloody Mary oysters on the shaded patio at the Surfing Deer near Seaside, or grab a table at provenance-focused Edward’s in Rosemary Beach. “It has a casual elegance to it that I love,” Velazquez says.

On the Market

Five-Bedroom New Build Canalside Property with a Pool, near Seaside, Walton County, Florida

Located on the canal in Seaside, this five-bedroom, five-bath new build home has a heated pool, and balconies at the front and back of the property. On the market with Go To The Beach Real Estate, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Five-Bedroom Property with Spectacular Gulf Views, Seagrove Beach, Walton County, Florida

On the market with Go To The Beach Real Estate, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, this five-bedroom, four-bath home is located in Seagrove Beach, within walking distance of over 35 miles (56km) of bike trails and a short distance from Seaside.