Inthehoodcover by Inweekly

aka Cordova Park

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aka Cordova Park

Guide to Pensacola's Most Popular and Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods Editorial by SKM & Design by JLP After a long week at work, what 30-something, young professional doesn’t want to wake up on a Saturday morning, walk out their front door in East Hill, and take a leisurely bike ride to yard sale after yard sale, then follow it up with a trip down to Bayview with their dog in tow? And what married with children super-duo doesn’t want to be basking in the sunshine of their fenced-in backyard in Cordova Park while watching their kids do cannon balls off the diving board and into the pool? When it comes to the ’hood you choose to call home, let’s face it—it’s all about perception. And while your ’hood may not define you, it certainly defines your experience living within whatever city you choose to inhabit, whether you are passing through for a brief chapter, or settling down for the long haul.

September 26, 2013

Despite paling in comparison to the number of ’hoods represented in urban super-cities like New York City, the reality is, Pensacola is home to a collection of bustling boroughs—each boasting their own unique selling points and defining charm. And so, after careful deliberation, we present to you what we have handpicked as the cream of the crop when it comes to our local ’hoods—at least the ones in safe biking proximity to and from downtown. Of course each ’hood boasts its more obvious appeals, what we deem “signs of life”—notable retail shops, restaurants, etc. But it doesn’t stop there. While we will leave you to your own interrogative devices when it comes to crime stats, we have included some more quantitative data, such as what public school your hypothetical child would most likely be attending, or private school options if you so choose. And thanks to help from local realtor Preston Murphy,

we’ve presented some ballpark figures of just how many buckaroos each hood might demand of you depending on whether you are looking to rent or own. Last, but certainly not least, since you shouldn’t just take our word for it—although the majority of our staff lives in one of the ’hoods represented—we even gave longtime residents a chance to sound off on why they love calling their ’hood home. Ultimately, we hope that for current residents, our ’hood guide will not only make you smile from ear to ear, it will make you even more proud of your hood than you already were. For those itching to relocate, may this offer you some helpful or at least entertaining insight. {Please note: We realize this isn’t an exhaustive list of neighborhoods in our area and we took it upon ourselves to loosely define our own borders. And so, while we encourage you to take it seriously, we also suggest you take this lightly and don’t sweat the small stuff.} 9

A Hideaway In Suburbia

Situated just to the East of Bayou Texar is the well-known and well-established Cordova Park, where for nearly every house—there is a swimming pool. If you don’t believe us, just go ahead and Google image search “Cordova Park” and note the first image that pops up. This can also be confirmed when taking off from or landing at the Pensacola International Airport situated practically next door. On the off chance you don’t end up with your own swimming pool, Roger Scott Athletic Complex is just down the way. Coined by the IN as Mid-City, Cordova Park is merely a short drive from the center of restaurant and shopping madness, yet far enough removed so that you don’t have to smell exhaust fumes, or hear the car horns blaring—the best of both worlds.

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aka Cordova Park Average Price of Single Family Home Sold in last 2 years*: $210,726 Average Monthly Rent in last 2 years*: $1,221 (Although good luck finding one, because last time we checked, there weren’t any!) Primary Public Schools: Elementary: Cordova Park, Suter; Middle: Workman; High: Washington Standout Park/Center: Roger Scott Athletic Complex—Home to community center, ball fields, pools, a dog park, and the recent addition of the LEAP trail. IN’s Opinion—Why Move Here: It’s family-friendly, has one of the best ranked public elementary schools in town and is a retiree’s laid back dreamboat.

REPRESENT YOUR 'HOOD:

“Cordova Park Elementary is a big draw for the area. And the park on McClellan/Connell/Baisden, with basketball hoops, a soccer field, and playground is great for children. The neighborhood is very family friendly.” —Polly Beard, resident for 29 years

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Urban Chic At Its Finest

Bordering Cordova Park is East Pensacola Heights, where you can chow down on just about any ethnicity of food you can dream up. While what some like to refer to as EPH, is in many ways up-andcoming, it is in actuality, far from being a new kid on the block. In fact, many residents have been calling this quaint and quiet area home for years. Since a large percentage of this hood is a mix of waterfront and water view properties facing the bay or bayou, home prices within EPH vary distinctly based on size and location. Thanks to the amount of multi-unit condos and apartments in the area, it’s becoming more accessible for a younger demographic to move in and take advantage of the ’hood’s laid back atmosphere, yet prime, centralized location— just across the Bayou from the outskirts of East Hill. In addition to supporting longstanding establishments like Sir Richards, Jerry’s Drive In, and New Yorker Deli, and family operations such as Apple Market and Running Wild, this hood has opened its arms to welcome in newer additions that already feel like they’ve been there forever—including The Magnolia, Hopjacks Filling Station and My Favorite Things.

September 26, 2013

aka EPH Average Price of Single Family Homes for Sale as of Sept. 2013*: $192,740 Average Monthly Rent*: Residential-Attached: mid $700s; Single Family: $850 Public Schools: Elementary: Suter; Middle: Workman; High: Pensacola/Washington Standout Private Schools: Elementary/Middle (pre-kindergarten – 8th grade): St. Paul Catholic, Creative Learning Center Standout Parks/Centers: Exchange Park IN’s Opinion—Why Move Here: It’s a three way tie between EPH’s proximity to East Hill and downtown, the water views, and getting to walk home from Sir Richards Karaoke in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Plus, there’s Nob Hill. Nothing says fun quite like walking or driving up to a window to purchase a dusty bottle of liquor.

REPRESENT YOUR 'HOOD:

“We were initially drawn to the Heights by the beautiful Bayou Texar and the moss covered trees. It doesn't hurt that it is centrally located. EPH is close enough for my husband Ross to ride his bike downtown to work. It has been a great place to live and we have enjoyed our neighborhood restaurants. Of course, you have to include Apple Market. That is where you see your neighbors! There is even a neighborhood billboard outside.” —Leigh Mitchell, resident for 26 years 11

Where The Green Grass Grows

“I live in East Hill.” Depending on who you are talking to, this statement could mean a lot of things, and cover a number of different precise locations. As it goes with most things in life, the more people who flock to something, the more everyone wants to be a part of it, even the Mayor. But can you blame them? Not only is East Hill home to the premier dog park in town, its primarily grid-like structure is lined with block after block of colorful, quaint houses of all shapes and sizes. These blocks are sprinkled with parks and yard sales, followed by more parks and more yard sales. Did we say parks and yard sales? Plus, where else can you eat tamales and pizza and get a facial all in one historic hospital building? Yes, Old Sacred Heart Hospital Building it is. And where else can you wash down a smoked BBQ sandwich with some cookies that your grandmother would be jealous of? Yes, we are talking City Grocery and J’s Pastry Shop. East Hill truly is a humble hood as those who have called it their home for years upon years don’t necessarily see what all the fuss is about—they just know they don’t ever want to leave.

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Average Price of Single Family Homes for Sale as of Sept. 2013*: $300,608 Estimated Monthly Rent*: Single Family (without updates): $850; (with updates): $1000-$1300 Primary Public Schools: Elementary: Suter, OJ Semmes; Middle: Workman; High: Pensacola/Washington Standout Magnet School: N.B. Cook Elementary School of the Arts Private Schools: East Hill Christian (pre-kindergarten through 12th), Sacred Heart Cathedral School (Elementary), Pensacola Private School of Liberal Arts (7th through 12th), The Montessori School of Pensacola (pre-kindergarten through middle) Standout Parks/Centers: Bayview Park and Community Center IN’s Opinion—Why Move Here: Some of us remember when The Yard was Madison’s. And at least one of us even remembers when Madison’s was Strega Nona’s. Others are simply suckers for dogs, parks, yard sales and the neighborhood grub. We can all agree, it is pretty much the land of (non-dairy) milk and honey.

REPRESENT YOUR 'HOOD:

“We knew we would live in East Hill someday! It's the trees, the parks and that all the houses are different—not cookie cutter. Porches should be the focal point of the house, not a big garage, in our humble opinion. Plus, once you live in a house with real hardwood floors and 12 foot ceilings, it's hard to go back to 8 feet." —Rachel and Doug Mahone, residents for 25 years

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Where All The Lights Are Bright Ah, Downtown Pensacola. What once was very ghostlike and forsaken is now the heart of the action with music venues, bars, coffee, food and independent retailers galore. And there’s more and more springing up every time you turn around. There are art shows, baseball games, outdoor dining options, and even pedicabs and segways so you can take a load off, if your legs get tired from walking about. When it comes to living in downtown, it’s a much less diverse story. While some who carry the larger wallets might be able to afford to live loft-style, or near the bay in newer areas such as Aragon Court, others who prefer a more removed experience may shift their sights to Old East Hill. Situated just to the Northeast of downtown, this area offers the close proximity to downtown while incorporating characteristics of both East Hill and North Hill, including several brick streets remaining exposed.

September 26, 2013

REPRESENT YOUR 'HOOD: Average Price of Single Family Homes for Sale as of Sept. 2013*: $551,333 (Aragon Court), $270,320 (Old East Hill) Estimated Monthly Rent*: $1500 a month can land you a loft on Bayfront with a waterview, $1595 a condo on Tarragona. Primary Public Schools: Elementary: Global Learning Academy, Suter; Middle: Workman/Woodham/Warrington; High: Washington Standout Parks: Veteran’s Memorial, Seville Square, Plaza Ferdinand VII IN’s Opinion—Why Move Here: Eh, don’t. Just kidding! We support your decision to relocate to Old East Hill. But seriously, you should probably only move downtown if you've got a good real estate lead because housing is limited. And don't even get us started on "affordable" housing options…

“I moved into one of my downtown apartments when my daughter Devan was 11 years old. On parade days, our balcony overlooking Palafox was a favorite of her Episcopal Day School classmates. Devan was able to walk to school and both of us enjoyed living amidst 450 years of history. There is never a lack of something to do downtown, from riding our bikes along Bayfront Parkway, to walking to events and festivals, and of course, we never have to walk too far to get a great meal.” —Deborah Dunlap, resident for 9 years 13

Living On The Edges

Let’s be real. Downtown-ish, or Downtown Adjacent, as we also like to call it in conversation, is where the majority of us really live if we say we live downtown. The beauty of Downtown-ish is that it offers a truly livable, breathable downtown experience that keeps you in close proximity to every bar, restaurant and baseball game that you ever imagine frequenting. Close enough that in some cases, like Belmont-DeVilliers you are in walking distance, and others, like North Hill, you can simply coast down the hill by bike and end up at your destination in a matter of minutes. Whether you are seeking to invest in a historic mansion, or are hoping to land a deal on a shotgun rental in the West Side Garden District, the beauty of the Downtown-ish area is that no block looks the same as the next—for better or worse. And while it may take a bit of effort to find the right block for you, there is undoubtedly a block with your name on it. Trust us. We found ours.

Average Price of Single Family Homes for Sale as of Sept. 2013*: $314,832 (North Hill), $64,933 (Belmont-Devilliers), $46,654 (West Side Garden District) Estimated Monthly Rent*: $650 (3 bed, 1 bath in West Side Garden District), $750 (1950s rancher), $2000 - $4000 (Historic North Hill charmer) Primary Public Schools: Elementary: Global Learning Academy, Suter; Middle: Workman; High: Pensacola Standout Private School: Episcopal Day School (infant - 8th) Standout Parks/Centers: Pensacola Public Library (BelmontDeVilliers), First City Arts Center (Long Hollow), Maritime Park (Waterfront), Long Hollow Park (Long Hollow) IN’s Opinion—Why Move Here: Because it’s the best of all worlds combined and suitable whether you are a generation-y’er struggling to make ends meets, or a baby boomer seeking to retire in a historic mansion.

REPRESENT YOUR 'HOOD:

“What other neighborhood offers such an easy walk to the Main Library, Ever'man's, the Community Maritime Park, Gallery Night and to the parades? Friendly dog walkers, runners, bicyclists and moms with toddlers populate our streets and sidewalks. I will tell you a secret: All the best reasons for living in Pensacola are right here!” —Ann Hill, Belmont-Devilliers resident for 22 years

*Prepared by Realtor Preston Murphy of The Harmon Murphy Group, Keller Williams Realty Gulf Coast. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Listing price and/or final sales price for a particular home in any specific area could be dramatically different from the averages, based on the respective property’s cosmetic and aesthetic appeal, amount of upgrades, location, landscaping, waterfront/water view, whether or not the home is distressed (i.e. short-sale or foreclosure.). 414 1

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