In Upper Grand Lagoon, parking tells the story. Good luck finding a spot outside one of the restaurants on Thomas Drive during peak dining hours. This community lays claim to the largest collection of independently owned eateries in the wider Panama City Beach region. It’s a quality that adds flavor to a community with a more native feel than the nearby beach haven to the west. “More residential, more local,” says Quinn DiBacco, vice president and North Florida manager of DiBacco Importing & Distributing in the neighborhood. “A lot of local restaurants, good food. We do get tourists down on this end, because the Grand Lagoon’s right here. But this is generally where all the people who live here come.” Don’t get it twisted, though — there’s still plenty of outdoor fun to be had here, too.
Fresh seafood and more galore
In a community surrounded by water, seafood dominates. People here have their pick of fresh fish, shrimp, oysters and more. “I probably eat out personally three to four times a week. We always eat [in this area],” says Nicole Hulgan, owner of Pieces on the Beach, a coastal chic and antique market in Upper Grand Lagoon. “Even when I go to the west end of the beach, it’s just not the same. Here, we’ve got some great local restaurants.” One hotspot is Christo's Sports Bar & Grill, a local favorite connected to, of all things, a gas station. The eclectic dining spot features a wide menu and plenty of TVs, which come in handy during football season. Richard Anderson, a local Realtor with Premier Properties of Bay Co., says everything on the menu there is good, whether its shrimp just from the water or piping-hot Philly cheesesteaks. Other popular options include J. Michaels Restaurant, renowned for its oysters, or Dat Cajun Place Cafe where “The name speaks for itself,” says Anderson, a native of the region. Locals looking to celebrate often head over to North Lagoon Drive for Capt. Anderson's Restaurant & Waterfront Market and The Grand Marlin, two upscale dining options. And when people feel like mixing it up, there’s a Publix on Thomas Drive, convenient for grabbing groceries for a home-cooked meal.
Single-family homes are ubiquitous in Upper Grand Lagoon
Upper Grand Lagoon branches out into a labyrinth of residential corridors around Thomas Drive. Though close to the beach, it tends to be quieter and heavily residential. Single-family homes dominate the landscape, some dating back to the 1950s. Many have new traditional Craftsman and Mediterranean styling with spacious floor plans. Situated on a peninsula that juts into the Grand Lagoon and Saint Andrew Bay, this neighborhood offers plenty of waterfront homes. One of the most popular such locations is the gated community of Bay Point. “The good thing about this [neighborhood] is it’s not a cookie-cutter thing,” Anderson says. “These are all custom homes.” Though buyers can find homes in the $200,000s, most landlocked options will cost somewhere in the $400,000 to $600,000 range. Meanwhile, a home with a water view usually tops $1 million and can climb as high as $2 million. Townhomes in the area are less expensive but can climb into the $600,000 range, depending on location.
A battle for the best Bloody Mary
Who doesn’t love a little bit of competition? It’s fitting that this restaurant hub is home to the Annual Grand Lagoon Bloody Mary & Music Festival, held in November at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort. Local watering holes vie for recognition of the “Best Bloody Mary in the Grand Lagoon,” and the event includes live music, too. Locals looking for fresh produce frequent the Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers Market, held on weekends at Capt. Anderson's Restaurant.
St. Andrews is a boon
While world-class beaches are less than 10 miles away, locals are even closer to another natural gem: St. Andrews State Park. This 1,200-acre expanse is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in the state, attracting one million visitors each year. St. Andrews is an accommodating space as well, whether someone wants to fish or go bird watching. Marc Miller, a local realtor with RE/MAX By the Sea, likes the park for surfing. It has the best waves, he says. “Everybody goes there,” says Miller, who has been a realtor for over three years after previously working at Panama City’s Naval Surface Warfare Center. “They’ve got walking trails, you can camp, they’ve got a boat launch in there.”
Boaters can take advantage of this community’s location along the lagoon and the bay for leisurely voyages. Those without a boat, meanwhile, can explore using one of the myriad charters here — many of them are located by Capt. Anderson's Restaurant and the adjacent Capt. Anderson's Marina. “For a long time, every year, I would charter one of the boats over here and take a group of friends for an all-day fishing trip, and have a great time,” Anderson says.
Thomas and Lagoon make navigation simple
Thomas Drive and North Lagoon Drive are hubs of activity in Upper Grand Lagoon, but they’re also stretches that link locals to other parts of this region. North Lagoon Drive can take drivers up toward Front Beach Drive, the main waterside artery in neighboring Panama City Beach. Thomas Drive connects to U.S. Route 98 for commutes across the lagoon, toward Panama City. Locals can also access the Bayway bus service here, thanks to the multiple stops along Thomas Drive.
Bay District hits high marks
The wide-ranging Bay District Schools system covers students in Upper Grand Lagoon, a district with a B-plus overall grade on Niche. The area’s A-minus-rated Patronis Elementary has an active PTO, one described as the heartbeat of campus. At the B-plus-rated Surfside Middle, extracurricular activities include multiple sports teams, among them a championship-winning girls volleyball team. J.R. Arnold High also carries a B-plus grade, and students here can participate in career and technical education programs on topics ranging from construction technology to early childhood technology.
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
Eric Weisbrod,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Grand Lagoon Dog Run
Rotti's Woof Woof Dog Park
Transit
Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International
42 min drive
Bus
Front Beach Rd. & Hinson Ave.
Bus
Front Beach Rd. & Laurie Ave.
Bus
Thomas Dr. & Coastal Palms Blvd.
Bus
Front Beach Rd. & Wilkinson Ave.
Bus
Front Beach Rd. & Pcb Parkway Service Road
Bus
Thomas Dr. & N. Lagoon Dr.
Bus
Magnolia Beach Rd. & Va Clinic Parking Lot
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Upper Grand Lagoon
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Upper Grand Lagoon, Panama City Beach sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Upper Grand Lagoon, Panama City Beach over the last 12 months is $483,078, down 10% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Like its namesake ocean gem, Perla is a rare find for those seeking an active and refined lifestyle. Contemporary 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment residences blend sophisticated style and quiet comfort with the quintessential coastal allure of 30A and Panama City Beach. Days that sparkle with poolside fun and laughter blend into evenings that glow with golden hour sunsets reflected on the waters of
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Eric Weisbrod,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
14,406
Median Age
44
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,546
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$91,496
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37.2%
Advanced Degrees
11.1%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
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®
48/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 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.
