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Destin
Known for it's motto "the world's luckiest fishing village," Destin has a bit of everything, including one of Florida's largest deep sea sport fishing fleets. More populous and without many of the real estate zoning restrictions of its Emerald Coast neighbors to the east, it boasts an active harbor, numerous restaurants and nightspots of all types, high-rise condominium complexes from $400,000 to over $2 million, and luxurious gulf-front residences that start around a cool $3 million. There's an abundance of waterfronts to choose from including gulf, harbor, bay, canal, and inland waterways. For further information, go to http://www.destin-ation.com/destin.htm which is also the Destin-ation.com Destin Guide.

 
Sandestin
This 2400-acre resort and residential complex has 72 holes of golf, an extensive marina, and 7.5 miles of beach and bay frontage. Many sub-communities are contained within Sandestin. Homes range from $500,000 - $2,500,000. High and low-rise condos, town homes, and villas are also available from the $300's up. This is a large resort community with over 1,000 accommodations and lots of corporate outings and vacationers present. Rentals can be good investments.

Baytowne Wharf
A part of Sandestin just recently opened, this upscale development is on the Choctawhatchee Bay and features a marina, shops, restaurants and hotel facilities. Condominiums, town homes and single family residences are planned to accommodate up to 400 families. Bayetown Wharf also has a village square area where lots of concerts, arts & crafts shows and benefit fundraisers are held. 

Cypress Dunes
A planned community started in 2004 on the western end of Route 30-A, overlooking the Topsail Hill State Preserve and the Gulf of Mexico, yet close to Sandestin and the burgeoning route 98 corridor. This 200-home, 2-phase development is rapidly taking form. The gated community features an ultra-luxury community center and pool overlooking the gulf. Homes have tight architectural controls and are all constructed by John Willis Homes of Florida and Atlanta. Home prices start in the $700's and range to over $2.5 million.

Dune Allen
Dune Allen is the first beach town on 30-A as we travel east. It is also the site of Butler Elementary School and 30-A's only resident veterinary hospital. Most of Dune Allen is residential and low-density, with beachfront and vacation homes in the dunes lining both sides of the road as well as Oyster Lake, which was once filled with oysters in the mid- 1900's, as its name implies. Home prices range from $400,000 to upwards of $1 million. 

Gulf Place
A planned development right in the heart of South Santa Rosa Beach, Gulf Place includes gated, private access single-family residences, town homes, a 4-story gulf-view condominium complex, combination business-residence homes, and a variety of retail and small commercial establishments, including a modest artists' colony. Several restaurants are within easy walking distance. The community amphitheater complex hosts concerts, shows and other family-oriented events. Beach access is excellent, and there are 3 beautiful pools, walking trails, croquet and tennis courts. The real estate values here are some of the best in the area. Ambience is laid-back casual with a touch of trendy. The semi-private Santa Rosa Beach and Golf Club is also within walking distance. 

Blue Mountain
One of the original "old beach" communities which, in recent years, has been discovered for its very high (for the Gulf Coast, at least) gulf bluffs. This area boasts the highest elevation on the Gulf rim from Key West to Mexico. Blue Mountain's low development density is a plus, and lots for sale on its coastal dune lakes offer great investment/vacation home opportunities for those willing to hold onto their property for awhile. Some moderately priced homes are still around, but to locate in places like the Retreat (very secluded) and Bella Vita (very Mediterranean) will cost you $1,000,000 and up, up, up! 

Grayton Beach
Very laid-back, "old beach" atmosphere dating back to the turn of the 20th century and still home to some dedicated "original" locals and retirees, Grayton Beach is rapidly becoming trendy with the addition of new shops, eateries, art galleries, and small commercial establishments. Grayton Beach was named "best beach in the world" several years ago, and it's done the best of all 30-A beaches to retain its rustic, "old beach" feel. This is still a bastion of small-scale real estate development. There are no significant condominium options in Grayton Beach, but it is still possible to buy a home, if you're prepared to pay the price! 

Water•Color
This planned community of 500 acres just east of Grayton Beach and immediately west of Seaside is being developed by St. Joe Corporation, NW Florida's major private landowner. 260 acres are reserved for public areas, and the rest is divided into elegant single-family homes and multi-family condo-complexes, all governed by an architectural master plan. There are 3 phases, with phase 1 & 2 completed and just sold out. The complex is open to the public, and will eventually include 60,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. A 60-room inn with a top-drawer restaurant round out the amenities. Very organized; very high-quality; very expensive (condos from $900,000 with residences to well over $2 million). 

Seaside
This is the one that started all the development frenzy back in the mid-80's. Winner of multiple community planning and architectural awards, Seaside actually began on just 80 acres of land, which was determined to be the ideal size for a coastal village. Today it's the epitome of quaint, with lots of artsy goings on, festivals, shows, restaurants and, of course, that incomparable beach all within easy walking distance. The tightly controlled architectural standards (think wood, white & pastel colors, and tin roofs) and high density have not prevented real estate prices from reaching stratospheric levels (single-family residences routinely are listed for over$1 million+ even without a gulf view), but the rental business is also very brisk. 

Water•Sound
Another St. Joe development 6 miles east of its sister property Water•Color. Water•Sound totals 256 acres and is conceived as a private, gated community with 500 total units planned. A golf course at neighboring Camp Creek has 18 holes open and another 18 planned. A beach club and retail facilities are also in the offing. The look is reminiscent of New England towns such as Nantucket. Homesites range from $800,000 to over $2,000,000. Condo residences start at over $1 million. 

Seacrest
Located just west of Rosemary Beach, this development on the north side of 30-A features the largest, lagoon-style swimming pool in the area. The pool is surrounded by attractive, well-built homes ranging from the low $600's to over $1,500,000. Some lots are also available. This development is pool-centered rather than beach-centered. 

Inlet Beach
If you like the "old Florida" feel with no commercial trappings, this is the place for you. It's at the east end of route 30-A just as it intersects with Hwy 98. Homes here range from cinder block hand-me-downs that have been around since the 1950's to gulf front mansions. No covenants and restrictions or Homeowner Association assessments. You can buy a "teardown" - when one becomes available - for what passes for a reasonable sum down here. More modern structures with gulf views are priced accordingly. Many gulf front homes were particularly hard hit by the 2004-2005 hurricanes here. One or two actually collapsed!