The Emerald Coast is a great place to be assigned if you are in the military. Known for its sunshine, crystal clear emerald waters and sugary sand beaches, Northwest Florida boasts an impressive military presence between Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB,Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field and Duke Field.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Top Neighborhoods To Live In When You Pcs To Hurlburt Field
• Bah Rates For Hurlburt Field
• How Buying A Home In Northwest Florida Is A Great Investment For Military Members

Where To Live While Stationed At Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field is nestled between Destin and Pensacola in the Northwest Florida panhandle and has the fourth largest military population worldwide with over 9,000 active duty military members.  Add to those numbers 10,000 family members, 3,000 civilian employees and 40,000 retirees and you’ve got quite a military community. 

So, where do all of these families live?

Some of the best neighborhoods for military members and military families stationed at Hurlburt Field include Navarre, Milton, Gulf Breeze and Pace, all located in Santa Rosa County. These neighborhoods are often the best option because they balance commute with family-friendly living. They also average anywhere from 10 minutes to under an hour commute for the military member.

Santa Rosa County Schools are highly rated and the cost of living is lower than average. There’s lots to do on the water whether it’s the beaches, the rivers or the bay but residents also enjoy the zoo, outdoor parks, theaters, shops, restaurants, breweries, golf courses and historic sites. 

BAH Rates for Hurlburt Field

Fortunately, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rate has steadily increased over the years as the base, mission and surrounding areas have grown. In fact, the 2023 BAH Rate for Hurlburt Field increased 25.1% from 2022, making it the 17th highest out of all bases.

(Scroll down to see Hurlburt Field BAH rates.)

Thanks to the mild climate and beautiful beaches, many families return to Hurlburt for multiple assignments or for retirement. That means buying a home in Northwest Florida is an attractive option. Knowing that the real estate market in Northwest Florida is relatively steady thanks to its great location and steady military population, many families choose to buy a home in Northwest Florida. 

Henry Company Homes has been serving military families for 38 years. We pride ourselves in offering affordable, quality homes to families looking for an easy buying process and who desire a move-in ready home. 

Buying a new construction home from Henry Company Homes is a great option for families stationed at Hurlburt Field for many reasons including:

• Affordability
• Easy buying process
• Move-in ready
• Family friendly

Making Affordable Homes for Military Homebuyers

Henry Company Homes keeps home prices affordable by reducing the frills that aren’t important to you (but add up in cost) while still providing the luxuries you desire like granite countertops, tile showers and luxury vinyl flooring.

Henry Company Homes uses the same grade of materials you’ll find in high-end, million dollar homes such as the same drywall, granite and luxury vinyl plank along with SPF studs. 

After 38 years, the family-owned business has figured out ways to keep costs down for first time home buyers. They are passionate about helping families get started with home ownership and you can see it in everything from the large kitchen areas to the detailed homeowners manual that guides buyers on everything from appliance maintenance to lawn care.

Easy Buying Process

Buying an existing home can be complicated. There can be limited inventory, lots of competitions and competing offers. Then you’ve got real estate agents, home inspectors, wind mitigation inspections, contingencies and other obstacles to work through when buying an existing home, all of which can be even more complicated when you’re out of state.

After a busy Permanent Change of Station (PCS), the last thing a family wants is a complicated home buying experience. At Henry Company Homes, all you have to do is sign a contract, pay $500 and they take care of everything else including all inspections, permits, and more. Some customers have even said it was easier than buying a car.

Move-in ready homes in Navarre, Pace, Milton and Gulf Breeze

Perhaps the biggest plus of buying a Henry Company Home as a military member is that they are move-in ready. That means you don’t have to worry about making any repairs or doing any maintenance before you move in. It also means that you won’t have any surprises lurking or waiting for you once you move in since your home is covered for one year by warranty.

Another complication that can make a home less-than move-in ready in Florida, in particular, are the requirements from insurance companies concerning windows, doors, roofs and garage doors. With a new home from Henry Company Homes, you’ll have brand new, state of the art, hurricane-ready windows, doors, roofs and garage doors that will meet insurance requirements without any delay. This is particularly important as insurance companies in Florida have become more and more strict since Hurricanes Michael and Sally.

Buying a New Construction Home That Is Family-friendly

Perhaps one of the most charming reasons a Henry Company Home is perfect for a military member is because they were designed with families in mind. Large kitchens and open floor plans are standard in a Henry Company Home. 

The kitchen is the center of the home. That’s why our homes have an island and a bar so that while mom or dad cooks, they can be with the kids as they talk about their day at school and finish their homework.

The big master suite and master bath are a welcome retreat for mom and dad. 

Over the years, Henry Company Homes has also been proud to be able to support the military in a number ways including sponsoring golf tournaments, taking military members on quail hunts and through events like Christmas in July. We’ve been around helping families just like you with high-quality, affordable, new construction homes. Call us today to see how we can work together.

2023 Hurlburt Field BAH Rate: