Homes all around Lower Grand Lagoon share a common denominator, one that’s a constant pull to the area. “I like it because you can walk to the beach,” says Marc Miller, a local realtor with RE/MAX By the Sea. “Pretty much anywhere in that Lower Grand Lagoon area, I’d say, you can walk to the beach pretty easily. Might be like an eight-minute walk, 10-minute walk, but not bad.” Combine that with less tourism hubbub than the heart of Panama City Beach to the west, and this community is one that’s attractive to locals, seasonal residents and short-term rental clients alike.
Outdoor fun by water or by land, from St. Andrews to the Gulf
Lower Grand Lagoon is like a peninsula, jetting out into the area waters. So not only are houses here just minutes from the beach on foot, but there are several public beach access points to choose from, facing the Gulf of Mexico on the neighborhood’s south side. So residents can step from their front doors and onto the region’s signature, sugary soft sand with relative ease. “I feel like nowhere else do you get that white sand, sugary sand. Like, you walk on it, it squeaks,” says Miller, who has been a realtor for over three years after working at Panama City’s Naval Surface Warfare Center. The sand provides a front-row seat to the Gulf’s emerald-green water. The neighborhood's north end is lined with myriad waterfront homes, along a sliver of the Grand Lagoon — many of them complete with docks out back. This side of Lower Grand Lagoon is also the home base to multiple fishing charter services and water tour boats that can take people out to see the sector’s immense bottlenose dolphin population.
The end of Lower Grand Lagoon is home to one of Florida’s most-visited state parks: St. Andrews State Park. This 1,200-acre expanse is popular for camping, and has a couple of half-mile hiking trails that double as spots for bird watching. St. Andrews is well-liked for snorkeling and surfing as well.
A medley of homes with a variety of uses
This area is mostly comprised of condos and traditional single-family houses, dotting a grid network of residential streets. There are a good bit of full-time residents here, but this neighborhood also provides a calmer alternative for visitors and part-time residents compared to the tourist hotspot of Panama City Beach proper. Panama City Beach attracts some 4.5 million visitors annually, including a surge in the summer months. “It’s about traffic. If you’re trying to avoid seasonal traffic, that’s the place to be,” says Sean Casilli, co-founder of The Real Experts Group at Coldwell Banker Realty and a realtor in the region for several years. There’s a fit for seemingly every preference in this area, too, from one-bedroom units in high-rise condo buildings facing the beach to towering detached homes with six or seven bedrooms. Also, the waterfront properties with docks offer boaters quicker access to the Gulf than a lot of other neighborhoods in this area, through the St. Andrews Pass. “That’s probably your closest option,” Casilli says.
Condo prices in Lower Grand Lagoon start around $200,000 for under 700 square feet, with one bedroom, and can reach roughly $2 million for a 3,000-square-foot unit on the beach. Traditional single-family homes here range from the mid-$300,000s for an option that may need some work to about $3 million for one of the residences with six to seven bedrooms.
Enjoy the local scene, with a seafood flair
One of the neighborhood’s signature events takes place each October at popular seafood restaurant Schooners: the Lobster Festival. Held over four days, the Lobster Festival includes everything from live music to lobster-themed food specials. “That seems to be something people get excited about when it comes around,” Casilli says. Locals can follow up the Lobster Festival with the Annual Grand Lagoon Bloody Mary & Music Festival in November at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort in the neighboring Upper Grand Lagoon neighborhood. In this event, bars and restaurants from around the area battle for recognition of Best Bloody Mary in the Grand Lagoon.
Local haunts are right at home
Lower Grand Lagoon is predominantly residential, but this neighborhood — along with Upper Grand Lagoon — carries the most dense collection of locally owned bars and restaurants in the area. Schooners, home of the Lobster Festival, is one of the stalwarts of Lower Grand Lagoon, nicknamed the “Last Local Beach Club” here. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, Schooners is popular for its grouper and has regular live music performances, too. Patches Pub down the road is known for its Reuben sandwiches and is one of Miller’s favorites. “It’s always packed in there,” Miller says. “They’ve got live music in there and cheap food — good food, though.” Those eyeing a homecooked meal can stop by nearby spots like Treasure Island Seafood Market for fresh ingredients. There’s a Publix across Grand Lagoon Bridge in Upper Grand Lagoon, too.
Bay District schools boast a good reputation
The Bay District school system serves kids in Lower Grand Lagoon, a system with a B-plus overall grade on Niche. Students here start at the A-minus-rated Patronis Elementary, which benefits from an active PTO, one seen as the “heartbeat” of campus. B-rated Surfside Middle offers athletic programs with options ranging from a championship girls volleyball team to a football team. The area’s B-plus-rated J.R. Arnold High supports dedicated programs in topics like sports and entertainment marketing and culinary arts.
Traffic is easier to navigate
One of the benefits of Lower Grand Lagoon for locals is that there are essentially only two main lanes of traffic in and out, on Thomas Drive. Lower Grand Lagoon, in turn, features more of a secluded feel than the center of Panama City Beach, which has busier stretches like Panama City Beach Parkway coursing through it. Thomas Drive comes complete with multiple stops in the region’s Bayway bus system, too.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brittany Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Regency Towers Dog Run
St Andrews State Park
Rick Seltzer Park
Transit
Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International
38 min drive
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Quarts St.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & The Curve
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Dolphin Dr.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Ocean St.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Biltmore Dr.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Flint Ave.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Irwin St.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lower Grand Lagoon
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lower Grand Lagoon, Panama City Beach sell after 107 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Lower Grand Lagoon, Panama City Beach over the last 12 months is $579,352, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
ALERT!!! MASTER ON THE GULF WITH WINDOW THAT OPENS TO HEAR THE GULF BREEZE. YOU ALSO HAVE A PRIVATE DOOR FROM THE MASTER THAT GOES TO THE PATIO. This fully furnished, and stunning 2 bed 2 bath condo is located on the popular East End of PCB Beach! REGENCY TOWERS HAS IT ALL! TWO LARGE POOLS AND SUPER COOL TIKI BAR AND EATERY ONSITE/POOLSIDE. The other amenities at Regency Towers are second to
Rental projections up to $28K! Your turn-key coastal lifestyle awaits at 1307A in St. Thomas Square. This well-appointed residence, nestled behind private gates and perfectly perched above the vibrant local retail/restaurant spaces of the Plaza, offers over 620 sq ft of meticulously designed living space. Revel in the sophistication of ideal interior upgrades and unwind on your private balcony
Welcome to 3600 Thomas Dr D302, a stunning waterfront condo that offers the perfect blend of relaxation, investment potential, and unbeatable views. Whether you're looking for a turnkey vacation rental or your own coastal retreat, this property is ready to impress.Step inside to find an open and airy floor plan with soaring ceilings and a spacious loft that comfortably fits two queen beds,
''INVESTMENT PROPERTY'' This beautiful Private Beach home is a money maker! It has produced over $400k in rentals a year over the last four years. It is already booked at 70% for 2025! The location is great in the heart of all the attractions in Panama City Beach! The home has a 14x24 heated pool, hot tub , and over 2000sq ft of back deck to enjoy. You can walk off the back deck right into the
Beautiful lagoon views, Villa 504 offers an exceptional blend of coastal and comfort within the prestigious Villas at St. Thomas. This charming ground-level residence provides effortless living with convenient accessibility making it a rare and highly desirable opportunity. Step inside to discover a spacious one-bedroom retreat, thoughtfully designed with an additional cozy bunk space, - the
Compelling new construction opportunity in the brand new Gulf front community of Hadley's Beach. Emerging from the sugar white sands and idyllic turquoise hued waters of Panama City Beach resides the exclusive newly released Gulf front community of Hadley's Beach. Reigning on over four acres, the low density community encompasses a total of sixteen Gulf front homesites and ten first tier
Welcome to your cozy coastal retreat at the Plazas of St. Thomas! This fully furnished studio unit offers everything you need for comfortable beachside living. Inside, you'll find an updated kitchenette complete with a sink, microwave, and medium-sized refrigerator, queen-sized bed, dresser, and a spacious closet. The full bathroom features a modern vanity and a linen closet for extra storage.The
Affordable Beach Living - South of Thomas Drive!!!One bedroom/one bath available for $1250/month. Text message for more information 8.5.0. 9.5.5. 4.5.5.2.Only steps to the beach, this completely remodeled apartment complex is the perfect place for affordable beach living! This single story complex has the best amenity of all - the beach -only a 45 second walk away from your front
Welcome to your dream beach retreat! This brand new, fully furnished 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom rental spans three spacious stories, offering the perfect blend of modern comfort and coastal charm. Located just moments from the sparkling shores of Panama City Beach, this home is an easy move-in with everything you need already in place.Inside, you'll find high-end upgrades throughout - from sleek,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brittany Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
8,580
Median Age
52
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$68,722
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$89,050
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
31.3%
Advanced Degrees
12%
% Population in Labor Force
60.4%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
45°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
48/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
