Niceville is perched between the Boggy and Rocky bayous, hugging the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. It’s near Florida’s Emerald Coast beaches, about 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Named by the postmaster’s daughter in 1910, Niceville lives up to its name by having frequent charity events and fundraisers. “It’s not only about the beach and the water,” says Debbie Lewis, a Realtor with ERA American Real Estate who’s lived and sold homes here for 30 years. “It’s phenomenal how our community supports its residents.” John Sims Parkway bisects Niceville’s suburban neighborhoods; the north side has the city’s schools, retail shopping and government offices, and the south is predominantly residential. “We’re a huge military area,” Lewis says. Eglin Air Force Base is 8 miles away, and Niceville’s population of 16,600 grows by one percent each year as many military families stay here after retirement. “For a lot of people, once they get to Niceville, that’s it,” Lewis says. “They’re here to stay.” The city and county’s workforce is mostly Military, but additional employers in Okaloosa County include the Okaloosa County School District and the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
Rocky Bayou Estates is a cozy neighborhood in the town of Niceville.
Eglin AFB is located minutes from Rocky Bayou Estates.
Rocky Bayou Estates lays just along the Choctawhatchee Bay great for boaters.
Okaloosa County Schools provide learning opportunities for students throughout Niceville.
HCA Twin Cities Hospital is the healthcare and emergency care provider for Niceville.
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Weekends at Crab Island
With the bayous, Bay and Gulf so close, it's no surprise that Niceville's residents love being on the water. The 20-acre Turkey Creek Nature Trail Park is popular for swimming, kayaking, and tubing; it also features a 1-mile raised boardwalk that winds through a floodplain forest. The city plans to build an aquatics center for competitive swimmers, and Destin and Okaloosa Island beaches are popular day trips.
Crab Island, a sandbar located in the harbor near Destin, is a local favorite. "You boat in and park in this gorgeous teal water that's only waist-deep," Lewis says. "There's a floating stage with live music and a restaurant where you can get a burger. It can be hard to navigate through the water because the boats are so thick." Everyone goes to Crab Island at the end of the week. "Everyone goes on a Saturday or Sunday to meet up with their friends or neighbors," says local Pat Williams, Realtor with ERA American Real Estate, who has sold homes across the region for 40 years. "It's the party place during the summer. Back in the day, you couldn't even get a boat in there if you wanted to."
Though operated by the base, Eglin Golf Course is open to the public. This Audubon Society golf course ranks as one of the military's best. The Rocky Bayou Country Club offers 18 holes on 115 acres, plus a restaurant for lunch.
Residents of Rocky Bayou Estates love a good game of golf.
Rocky Bayou Estates residents can visit Turkey Creek and trails for scenic adventures.
Rocky Bayou Estates residents can also bathe in the fresh waters of Turkey Creek.
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Boggy Bayou Fireworks Show and a developing downtown area
Niceville’s waterfront restaurants offer coastal favorites like fresh mahi and Gulf shrimp, plus staples like cheeseburgers and chicken wings. These restaurants are especially popular during the Boggy Bayou Fireworks Show, an annual Fourth of July celebration where the city launches fireworks from boats in the center of the bayou. Live performances are popular at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, home to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. While Niceville doesn’t have a central downtown, an area between John Sims Parkway and Bayshore Avenue is in its early stages of development and offers a walkable stretch of restaurants, shops and event space with water views. Big-box retailers like Walmart and Publix sit along John Sims Parkway.
The Mattie Kelly performing Arts Theater is a local favorite performance venue in Niceville.
The Mattie Kelly Arts Amphitheater hosts live performances in Niceville.
Publix is a local favorite for fresh produce and a large meat selection in Niceville.
Walmart is one of the many favorite shopping options in Niceville.
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Waterfront homes and 1980s bungalows
Most homes in Niceville are bungalows and ranch-style homes built after 1980. The median home price is $484,000, just above the national median. “We are pricey,” Lewis says. “It’s rare to find anything under $300,000.” Most of the city’s usable land is built up, so older homes are being demolished for new builds. Prices for a New Traditional home built in 2023 range from $383,000 for a three-bedroom to $1.4 million for a four-bedroom with private water access. Homes along the water are custom and sit on spacious lots full of towering pines and royal palms. Some midcentury homes are available just west of Cedar Avenue, and these range in price from $190,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow to $685,000 for a four-bedroom waterfront ranch-style home. Some condos are also available.
Custom homes on the water will sell quickly in Niceville.
Niceville has a variety of ranch style homes that are affordable and spacious.
Townhomes are plentiful and an affordable housing option in Niceville.
Many variations of Ranch style homes are found in Rocky Bayou Estates.
This Neoclassical style home sits on a spacious lot in Rocky Bayou Estates.
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Niceville High’s has robust music programs
The Okaloosa County School District scores an overall A-minus on Niche, which ranks it seventh best in Florida. Niceville High has a popular music program; the Eagle Pride Marching Band performed in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade at the Rose Bowl, and the concert and jazz bands consistently receive superior ratings at state-level performance assessments. Tenth through twelfth-grade students can attend the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College. In this public charter school, students can earn an associate degree in arts or sciences with their high school diploma. Northwest Florida State College enrolls over 8,000 students and offers degrees in fields like nursing and project management.
Northwest Florida State College provide excellent education and employment opportunities.
Collegiate High School is located on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.
Niceville High School has an A grade on Niche and supports grades 9-12.
The Okaloosa County School District Complex is located in Niceville.
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Crime rates are lower than national and state averages
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent crime rates in Niceville trend significantly lower than national and state rates. In October 2023, the violent crime rate for Niceville was zero. Property crime rates also trend much lower than Florida and United States averages.
Traffic on John Sims Parkway
Niceville is largely car-dependent, and the main road through the city is East John Sims Parkway. “Traffic can be bad,” Lewis says, “especially when the schools get out.” The Emerald Coast Rider bus makes a few stops in Niceville on its way to Fort Walton Beach, 13 miles away. Interstate 10 is 17 miles north, and Destin is a 17-mile trip south. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport has domestic commercial flights 5 miles away.
Flooding risks along Bayshore Drive
Niceville’s location near the Gulf Coast puts it at risk for hurricanes. Niceville is protected by the Choctawhatchee Bay, which puts some distance between it and the Gulf Coast beaches that endure the worst hurricane damage. The last time a hurricane caused significant damage in Niceville was in 2020 when Hurricane Sally caused flooding and downed power lines. Homes near Bayshore Drive in the city’s south have the most flooding risk, and 27% of the homes here are in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Homeowners here must purchase flood insurance and receive special permits for new construction. Winters here are mild, and summers are hot, with temperatures typically falling between 70 and 92 degrees.
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