Panama City Beach, FL has been named as "the #1 place to own a summer home," according to an article on AOL's Money and Finance page called TOP FIVE PLACES TO OWN A SUMMER HOME.  Kelli B. Grant, a reporter for SmartMoney.com, named the "Top 5" with an explanation for each choice.

The TOP 5 spots for buying summer homes for vacation properties and future retirement homes includes:

1. PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL

2. POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA

3. THE CRYSTAL COAST, NC

4. LAKE TAHOE, CA

5. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TN

Grant says Panama City Beach, Florida has "something for everyone" including award winning restaurants, great places to enjoy music, dancing, and night-time entertainment, plenty of shopping and sight-seeing venues, as well as championship golf courses and the sugar "white" sands on the Gulf of Mexico. 

The relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport offers the best reason to invest in the Northwest Florida area.  With the completion of the new airport ... and construction is said to be ahead of schedule ... airlines will be able to offer non-stop flights to Panama City Beach from all over the country.  The infrastructure of new roadways is already in place to make easy access in and out of Panama City Beach.

If you have not visited "the world's most beautiful beaches" lately, you will be amazed at the new shopping, dining, and residential growth.  Pier Park is a multi-million dollar attraction that is now open for business with fun and exciting places to eat and shop.  And it is located directly between "Front Beach Road" and US Hwy 98 (aka: Panama City Parkway) making it easy to walk to the beach and convenient with quick access for local shopping. Click this MAP of PANAMA CITY BEACH pin-pointing Pier Park.

Pier Park includes Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Panera Bread, Reggae J’s Island Grill, Old Navy, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Target, The Grand 16 Movie Theatre, Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys Famous Hamburgers and Fries, Guglielmo’s Italian Grill, Guy Harvey’s Grill, Hofbrau Beer Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Marble Slab Creamery, Panera Bread, Quizno’s Subs, Red Brick Pizza, Reggae J’s Island Grill, and Tootsies Orchid Lounge (of Nashville fame), Solace Salon and Day Spa (Aveda), and Victoria’s Secret.

Pricing adjustments are already in place bringing the cost of owning a condo or house on the beach back to the more reasonable prices of a few years ago before the "bubble" or "boom" market.  It is now possible to buy a gulf front condo beginning around $100,000.  Of course you can go for some luxurious amenities from $1 to $4 million, if you prefer the finer things in life.

Panama City Beach also has beautiful bay front homes away from the gulf beaches for those who prefer a spectacular view without the crowds.  There are a number of gated waterfront communities and high-rise condos on the bay, lakes, and lagoons with gorgeous new homes recently completed and custom homes currently under construction. 

Katie Patronis and Melissa Ryan, a mother-daughter team, are the broker/owners of Century 21 Ryan Realy.  Join them and our fine team of real estate professionals to find your "place in the sun" on Panama City Beach.

Century 21 Ryan Realty is located at 8212 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida