If you've seen the fictional thriller, "County Road 14," you might be interested to know that it was based on real events and took place in the city of Perry, Florida.
Perry, Florida, is a small city located in Taylor County, right where the panhandle and the peninsula of Florida meet. With just over 7,000 residents, Perry offers a quiet community for those wishing to live on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico without having to worry about lots of traffic or tourism. With that said, some of the homes in Perry are used as vacation rentals, so the population may seem to grow during tourist season, which is typically from November until April in Florida.
Moving to Perry
If you aren't from Florida or other areas of the Deep South, then you need to prepare to sweat it out in the summer when you move to this coastal community! You will be treated to some lovely sea breezes off of the Gulf, but the truth is, many don't appreciate the Florida heat and humidity if they have grown up in more temperate climates. That said, the mild winters and beautiful falls and springs outweigh the heat and heaviness of summer, and don't forget, everything is air conditioned!
Perry offers lower-than-average rental prices, even by the water, which is great for renters looking for a bargain! Most of the property rentals that you'll find will be private homes in this area. If you need to find an apartment with special features, such as three-bedroom apartments that are pet-friendly or one-bedroom apartments in a certain area of town, you might want to contact a local apartment locator or real estate agent. If you are open to all possibilities, however, then contacting private owners may be the way to go.
Although rental prices tend to be on the low side, you're still going to need to show potential landlords that you have a job that will pay the bills. Printing up a credit report and getting a recommendation from your current landlord can also sweeten the deal and make it more likely for a homeowner to choose you to be his or her tenant.
Neighborhoods in Perry
There are four constituent neighborhoods in Perry, each offering a slightly different flavor to potential residents.
Steinhatchee: Steinhatchee is the largest neighborhood, and it encompasses the whole southern section of the city. Much of it is right on the Gulf of Mexico, and due to this, the rental prices tend to be higher than those in other areas of the city. The crime rate in this area is lower than that of the other sections of town.
Cabbage Grove: Cabbage Grove is located north of Steinhatchee, also on the Gulf. Prices here are a bit lower, so if you are hoping to live near the beach but don't want to pay top dollar, Cabbage Grove may be just the home for you!
Perry City Center: The City Center is actually located in the northeastern corner of the city, more inland than Cabbage Grove and Steinhatchee. Crime rates are on the low side, and this section of the city is a bit more walkable than some of the other areas.
Fenholloway: The very center of Perry is called Fenholloway. Here, you'll find the least expensive rental prices. You'll also find that it's the most walkable section of town, so you may be able to get by without a car, or, more likely, without a second car if there are two drivers in your household.
Living in Perry
Perry is considered to be a pretty rural area of Florida, and due to its location on the coast, you can take advantage of a lot of outdoor opportunities. Head over to Forest Capital Museum State Park and spend the day picnicking, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. You can also stop inside of the period museum and learn what life was like for Florida residents in a bygone era.
You won't be able to live in a coastal Florida city and not go to the beach! Slather on some sunscreen and get ready to build sand castles, lay in the sun and go for a swim at Keaton Beach, located right in town. If you have a boat, you can launch right from the marina and spend the day on the pristine ocean.
Do you like festivals? You're in luck: in Perry, you can take part in a Bluegrass Festival, the Southern Pines Blues and BBQ Festival and other annual music festivals. There are also crab festivals that take place on the water in Steinhatchee.