Pensacola is stuck in a time warp or the powers that be want it to remain that way. It’s hard play getting officials to approve anything that may bring a major industry into the area. And, while Pensacola is not a very large city, it’s not the smallest in the State of Florida.
However, one of the reasons for the demise is the area has the highest rate of poverty. Not a day goes by that one does not drive by a panhandler at one of the major intersections. With the rate of poverty as high as it is, you would think there are no jobs available. But, there are. However, the average jobs available pay a mere $8 to $12 per hour.
Crimes occur regularly. Not a day goes by that our one major newspaper, the Pensacola News Journal, does not have reports of robberies, murders, killings or hit and runs. With the statistics as dismal as indicated, you would think most of us would be pulling up stakes and heading out. However, I think there is still hope for the area.
I and most of the people who have been lifelong residents stay because we love the area for one reason or another, we are stuck here for one reason or another, it’s home or there is no other place to go. I stay for a series of reasons. While the area is not dead yet, to some outside looking in, it appears to be a dead city. Young people have nothing much to keep them entertained. Big name entertainers bypass Pensacola and head to Mobile which is only about 45 minutes away. For those of us who stick around, here are some of the basic reasons why:
The Beaches
Pensacola Beach and Johnson Beach along with numerous other small beaches in the area have some of the worlds whitest sands. The granules gleam in the sunlight. The water of the gulf is a dazzling aqua blue that graduates to a deep dark blue the deeper the gulfs floor becomes. The beaches of this area are the one major draw and the one thing that many keep coming back to after moving away. Pensacolians who grew up in the area and moved away for one reason or another return regularly to visit the beach until retiring. Most then return home to live.
Economy
At present, the economy being the way it is, Pensacola still is by far less costly than most areas in the country. You can still purchase a home for far less than most places and when returning home from making your millions or a successful career, most find that their money doubles it’s purchasing power in Pensacola.
Family
I stay in Pensacola because this is where my family is permanently situated. When I was younger, I promised myself I never wanted to be any farther away than 30 minutes from my mother. I figured that was the amount of time I would allow myself to get to her in the event of an emergency. When my mother passed, prior to her leaving, it took me thirty minutes exactly to get to her, hold her hands, talk with her and tell her I love her before she passed on. Had I not been able to get to her before she passed, I don’t know if I would have been able to live with myself.
Children Call Pensacola Home for Now
Right now, my children are here and in college or grad school. While here, until they decide to relocate to another area, I’m here. If and when my sons ever decide to move away for any reason, I will then have somewhere to go. If they decide to stay in Pensacola, I will perhaps remain here the remainder of my life. However, until a decision is made one way or the other, I’ll remain here.
Beauty of the Area
Even though Pensacola doesn’t seem to have a whole lot to offer the young and even some of the old, the area is gorgeous. With hard work, you can make it here. With the cost of living not being as high as in most areas, even with the economy and rates continuously increasing, it’s still is a nice place to live. Until the city completely dies, which I doubt the elite will allow this to happen, I will stay. You can still walk in the subdivision without being attacked or ‘shot.’ There are still a lot of people who consider everyone their neighbor no matter what the race, creed or religion.
