Gulf Breeze, Florida

Gulf Breeze in the early 50’s, was still a fanciful name for an area with more wildlife than people. Since it’s incorporation in 1961, residents of Gulf Breeze have worked to create a unique place of charm and beauty.

Located between the city of Pensacola to the North and Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island, Gulf Breeze enjoys economic input from visitors heading both directions. From its inception, Gulf Breeze determined to be more than just a pit stop for beach traffic. While many businesses cater to tourists, the year round population enjoys all the services needed to maintain a quality lifestyle.

The economic level of the residents is among the highest in Florida. One-of-a-kind homes and endless private boat docks line the shoreline whose winding irregularities create more waterfront property per acre than the most ingenious developer could design. This abundance of waterfront property makes Gulf Breeze surprisingly affordable compared to waterfront prices elsewhere in the country.

Education is one of the top priorities in Gulf Breeze. Students enjoy some of the best curricula, teachers, and athletic programs in the state. An active PTA and booster club enhances the work of school officials to help Gulf Breeze students reach their full potential. They repeatedly excel in state academic and athletic competitions.

Practically surrounded by Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay, and Santa Rosa Sound, Gulf Breeze is a mecca for water sports. Every garage has surfboards, skis, diving gear, or fishing equipment, and maybe some of everything as testimony to the family’s prevailing interest. Many residents own boats which can be kept in any one of several marinas or a home boat dock.

Water sports are by no means the beginning and end to recreation in Gulf Breeze. Almost half of the land within the city limits is set aside for playgrounds and parks. Seven baseball and softball fields, four lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, and a soccer/football stadium are lively with action during the appropriate seasons. The Gulf Breeze Sports Association promotes a variety of team sports including a cheerleading program that has won national titles.

A commitment to volunteerism among its residents makes government efficient and cost effective in Gulf Breeze. The elected mayor and five-member city council benefit from the support of dedicated citizen’s groups who help with everything from beautification to fire fighting. In fact, the Gulf Breeze Volunteer Fire Department has such an outstanding record that the residents enjoy some of the lowest fire insurance ratings in the area.

Gulf Breeze also has a low crime rate, which relates to the pride residents have for the community. It also has one of the most progressive police departments for a city its size in the state of Florida. The force is housed in a modern station built in 1985 on Fairpoint Drive. An active traffic safety program and aggressive drug enforcement make Gulf Breeze an especially safe place to live.

The abundance and quality of health care in a town the size of Gulf Breeze is a surprise to newcomers. A sophisticated hospital combined with a public health facility and an emergency-care clinic offer 24-hour service. Each year several new private medical offices open in Gulf Breeze.

A quiet suburban community that combines the spirit of hometown life in middle America with Gulf Coast beauty and charm – that’s Gulf Breeze, truly a place apart.