When people consider moving to the Emerald Coast, two questions come up often: where will I go for medical care, and what education options are nearby? The region has grown quickly, and so have its healthcare and education resources.
Hospitals and healthcare
- Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast — Miramar Beach
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital — Fort Walton Beach
- HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital — Niceville
Additional hospitals serve Crestview, Panama City, and the Pensacola area, and urgent care clinics and specialty practices are spread throughout the coast.
Colleges and universities
- Northwest Florida State College — main campus in Niceville, with other locations in the region
- University of West Florida — main campus in Pensacola, with a location in Fort Walton Beach
- Florida State University Panama City
- Gulf Coast State College — Panama City
K-12 schools
Public schools are run by county school districts — Walton, Okaloosa, Bay, and Santa Rosa. School assignments depend on the exact address, so always check with the district before you buy. Links are in our Helpful Links.
Choosing where to live
If being close to a particular hospital or campus matters to you, tell us early and we will focus your search on communities that fit. See our Local Area Guide for more.
Have questions about living on the Emerald Coast? Call Dockside Realty at 850.225.9785 or email christine@docksiderealtyinc.com.