Located on the Florida panhandle along the stunning Emerald Coast, Destin gives residents and visitors easy access to the spring break capital of Panama City Beach and the historic Pensacola streets.
The Emerald Coast offers some of the most scenic coastlines in the United States, which is why this has become such a hotspot for tourists.
The city was founded in the 1850s as a fishing town, which remained its focus until the 1980s when tourism took up shop.
Today, the city is a thriving resort town with millions visiting each year.
If you’re considering moving to Destin, Florida, it is critical to understand the pros and cons.
Keep reading to learn more!
Contents
Pros of Living in Destin, FL
1. Diverse Economy
Most beach towns are heavily only dependent on tourism, so when hardships arise, natural disasters hit, or the country goes through a pandemic, they suffer.
However, Destin has a diversified economy due to the proximity to the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
This location trains some of the best Naval pilots in the military and the Blue Angels call this station home.
The only retailer in the top 10 employers in Destin is Publix grocery store.
The others include the Federal government, local government, education, and medicine.
2. Emerald Coast Beaches
Nicknamed for the 100 miles of shoreline situated on the Florida panhandle, Emerald Coast beaches boast beautiful emerald, green waters from the Gulf of Mexico and white pristine beaches.
This area of the state receives around 4.5 million tourists annually and ironically, Destin receives 80% of those tourists, despite Panama City and Pensacola being the most well-recognized local names.
Many tourists become permanent residents because they seek 365-day access to the ocean and beautiful beaches.
3. Endless Fishing Opportunities
Since Destin was founded as a fishing town, it has been engrained in history.
Although tourism is the highest grossing industry in the area, the Gulf of Mexico offers excellent sport fishing since deep waters are only 25 miles off the coast.
Approximately 150 charter boats are available in the city, and you can fish from the bridges, piers, and shoreline surf.
In total, approximately two dozen fish species are caught from the waters and shores of Destin.
4. Excellent Schools
While the public schools in Florida are not the greatest, Destin is the exception.
The Middle and Elementary Schools boast high rankings due to excellent test scores that are above average.
The Design Public School system ranks in the top 85% of all U.S. schools.
Additionally, in 2021, Destin opened a new high school that will likely follow suit with excellent rankings.
5. Fantastic Nightlife
At night, visitors and residents are never bored because there are countless adult and family-friendly activities.
Countless watering holes dot Destin ranging from nightclubs and lounges to dive and beach bars.
Family-friendly nighttime events are also scattered throughout the town during the high travel season.
6. Great Winter Weather
Destin is lucky enough to experience 226 days of sunshine per year, but also receives 66 inches of rain, which is twice the U.S. average.
That means it is the ideal mix of rain and sun to ensure the flowers are blooming and the vegetation is lush.
In the winter, the weather is incredibly comfortable and milder than in other places in the state, like South Florida.
7. High Median Household Income
Since Destin boasts a diversified economy, the city experiences a higher-than-average income level.
The median household income is $71,000 compared to a $57,000 average annual U.S. salary.
Individual residents average an income of $40,000 per year versus $31,000 as the U.S. average.
8. Variety of Restaurant Options
Since Destin is such a heavily visited area, it must have excellent food to keep visitors returning.
The city limits hold over 275 locally-owned and national restaurant chains, which means there is an option for all budgets and cravings.
Since fishing is still a large industry in the area, plenty of fresh seafood restaurants exist in town.
Additionally, Destin’s location on the Gulf Coast means some Cajun influence will go into the cuisines.
Cons of Living in Destin, FL
1. Bad Traffic
With the large influx of tourists, crowds must move around the area via car.
Unfortunately, Destin only has Route 98, a single road that cuts through the town.
Since Destin is located on a barrier island, only two primary bridges exist that lead to the mainland.
With the population ballooning during the summer adding approximately three million visitors, that is a lot of extra people on the bridges and roads.
That means the traffic is bad during the summer months.
This is important to consider when you’re sitting on a beach and need to bring your kid to baseball practice.
2. Brutal Summer Weather
The summer months have incredibly high temperatures and humidity, especially without that cool and refreshing breeze coming off the water.
June, July, and August are the worst weather months, with temperatures regularly reaching the upper 80s and low 90s, then add in the high humidity, which can make those temperatures feel like 100.
If you want to go for a walk or even step outside, the humidity will make you feel sticky, wet, and unbearable, if you’re not used to it.
This humidity causes frequent summer rains, which can delay outdoor plans.
3. Crowded
In addition to the bad traffic that comes with adding three million visitors during the summer, every destination, including restaurants, beaches, shops, sidewalks, etc., are packed with people.
The full-time population is only 14,000 residents and since Destin is only eight square miles, adding tourists makes the town feel cramped and congested.
This is a lot of extra people on a small sliver of land, so the biggest complaint among residents is overcrowding.
4. Hight Cost of Living
Living in a beach resort town often comes with a high cost of living and Destin is no exception.
The town is 18% higher than the national average, mostly driven by high housing costs, which are 62% higher.
Income levels are 25% higher in Destin compared to the U.S. average, which helps offset the cost of goods slightly.
Nevertheless, expensive housing is a difficult pill to swallow for most residents or those looking to move from more affordable areas.
5. Hurricane Threats
No comprehensive conversation about Florida is complete without discussing hurricane risks.
Due to the warmer waters, the Gulf Coast is at higher risk for hurricanes than the east coast of Florida.
Destin is ranked 10th in the country for the highest risk of hurricanes, which is the highest in the state.
Also, flood maps predict major sections of Destin could be covered in water if a major hurricane made a direct landing.
6. Lack of Diversity
Due to the small number of permanent residents, there are not many big city amenities or population diversity.
Other than the hospitality industry, few luxury shopping outlets, cultural options, and diverse food locations exist, like what you find in other large Florida cities.
Also, depending on your political affiliation, the area is religiously centered and politically conservative, like other areas of the south.
7. Lacks Top-Ranked Hospitals
The entire Florida panhandle, including Destin, lacks top-ranked hospitals.
Ascension and Baptist, two local hospitals, are adequate for basic medical needs but to reach a nationally raked Florida hospital, you must drive three hours to Tallahassee, five hours to Jacksonville, or six hours to Orlando.
That means specialty procedures and other medical conditions may be difficult to treat in the area.
8. Limited Higher Education Opportunities
Destin only has a single community college, which is Northwest Florida State College, and it ranks below average nationally.
Since it is a community college, only two-year associate degrees and certificates are offered.
If you want to get a bachelor’s degree, you need to go to Pensacola and attend the University of West Florida, which has average rankings.
Therefore, if you plan to move to Destin and have or want children, the lack of advanced education opportunities is an important factor.
Pros and Cons of Living in Destin, FL – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Destin, FL | Cons of Living in Destin, FL |
|---|---|
| 1. Diverse Economy | 1. Bad Traffic |
| 2. Emerald Coast Beaches | 2. Brutal Summer Weather |
| 3. Endless Fishing Opportunities | 3. Crowded |
| 4. Excellent Schools | 4. Hight Cost of Living |
| 5. Fantastic Nightlife | 5. Hurricane Threats |
| 6. Great Winter Weather | 6. Lack of Diversity |
| 7. High Median Household Income | 7. Lacks Top-Ranked Hospitals |
| 8. Variety of Restaurant Options | 8. Limited Higher Education Opportunities |
Destin Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Destin Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Destin a nice place to live?
Located in Okaloosa County, Destin is considered one of the top places to live in the state.
The city gives residents an urban feel, without living in a major city, and most residents are homeowners.
The public schools are highly rated, and many young professionals have relocated to the area, so innovation and fresh ideas are constantly brewing.
Is Destin a safe place to live?
Residents are not overly concerned about the crime in the Destin area as property and violent crime rates are at the national average.
During the high tourist season, crime rates increase because of the number of visitors, which skews the average for the year but not at an alarming rate.
Is Destin a nice place to retire?
Destin ranks in the top 2% of best places in the U.S. to retire.
Within the town limits, sit over two dozen retirement communities.
Those who can afford retirement housing get the natural amenities of great weather and world-class beaches.
If you fall in this category, it is important to be prepared for large crowds during the high tourism months.
Is Destin as humid as other parts of Florida?
In the summer the humidity in Destin can be unbearable.
Walking outside to your car could instantly make your shirt stick.
However, in the winter when the temperatures begin to drop, the humidity in the air dissipates and is replaced by a dryer and cooler area, making for a much more comfortable outdoor experience.
Summer is considered the most humid time of the year while the end of winter is the leads humid.
Does Destin get cold in the winter?
Since it is on the panhandle in northern Florida, the temperature usually drops at night to lows of around 46F in the winter, but the days experience plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures.
Also, the temperature rarely dips below 32F, and snow is virtually unheard of.
The Cons list contains “too religious and conservative “ LOL. that’ll keep the liberals away.
Great article
Politically conservative is not a con when visiting or living somewhere lol! What that means is the people in destins actually have morals and standards it’s a wonderful place! God bless America!