Deer Ridge Crossing

Located on the gulf, the Northwest Florida region offers natural beauty and relaxing energy throughout the city of Pensacola and its suburbs. Locals enjoy the proximity to beaches, state parks, and other outdoor adventures while having convenient access to shopping and dining. There is more to enjoy in the area than just its scenery. Pensacola is known for its historical districts and its preserved architecture. Each district has plenty of interesting buildings around town, each having its own personal history and character.

The Northwest Florida region makes relaxing and unwinding easy, while keeping you entertained with festivals and historic architecture. Whether you are looking for a place to retire, grow your career, or start a family, D.R. Horton’s new construction homes in Northwest Florida are great options for homebuyers at any stage of life. Each of our communities has unique features with a variety of spacious floorplans and modern designs, so you can be sure to find a home and environment that is right for you.

Get to know Northwest Florida

Northwest Florida, also known as the Florida panhandle, is recognized for its warm weather, Southern charm, and military heritage and presence. Northwest Florida has something for everyone to enjoy, whether you are cheering at a baseball game, swimming in the crystal clear waters, or attending a festival. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are widely supported throughout the area, being the prominent minor league baseball team in the Northwest Florida region. The team connects the communities and creates a strong sense of pride among residents, bringing together sports fans and enthusiastic locals alike.

With the furthest city in the region being just over one hour away, Pensacola Beach, characterized by crystal clear waters and white sand beaches, provides easy access to water activities for everyone. Among the many publicly owned areas of the beach, Pensacola Beach is home to the longest stretch of federally protected seashore in the United States. This allows you to relax and enjoy the unobstructed views during your time at the ocean. If you are looking for some more adventure, just off the Pensacola Beach is Big Lagoon State Park, where you can enjoy the wildlife while swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.

For more outdoor activities, Blackwater Heritage State Trail, located in the historic town of Milton, is a great place to experience nature while hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The 8.1-mile multi-use paved trail joins the U.S. Navy’s 1.5-mile Military Heritage Trail, allowing visitors to enjoy the countryside. To make this a group activity, walk or run with friends or family along the old rail lines that run through the city of Milton out into nature. There is an unpaved equestrian trail that other visitors can use at their own discretion, along with experiences such as birding, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Accommodating for everyone, service animals and mobility devices are also welcome on the trial.

If you are looking for a piece of history, military forts, including Fort Pickens, Fort McRee, and Fort Barrancas, were built in Pensacola in the 1800s. Still standing and open to the public, these forts add to the historical aspect of the area. Fort Pickens, just off Pensacola on the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is the largest of the forts and open to visitors through walking tours and exhibits while providing beautiful views of the Gulf. Fort McRee, originally constructed to protect the entrance of Pensacola Bay, suffered extensive storm erosion over the years. Although it is mostly ruins now, it is accessible by boat, and visitors can explore the general site. Fort Barrancas, located in the Naval Air Station Pensacola, was built on a bluff looking out to Pensacola Bay. After being restored, it is now open to the public as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The Northwest Florida region holds popular festivals such as the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, the Crawfish Festival, and the Seafood Festival. The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival is among the most well-known art shows in the United States, showcasing some of the most popular artists across different media. This festival allows you to connect with fellow art enthusiasts and explore unique pieces of work. The Crawfish festival, held in the heart of Pensacola, features fresh Louisiana crawfish, with many local vendors, live music, and activities for kids. The festival's proximity to other areas in the region makes it easy for everyone to join in and experience the local spirit. In the heart of downtown Pensacola, the Seafood Festival is a well-known arts and crafts festival that all ages can enjoy. This festival features live music, seafood-related events, and arts and crafts exhibits showing off homemade items.

If you are looking for a family-friendly celebration on the Gulf Coast, Pensacola Mardi Gras takes place in the streets of downtown Pensacola, starting on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. This multi-week celebration brings people together across the region to honor multiple cultures. With over 100,000 people attending, Pensacola takes pride in being a celebration for all ages, setting this Mardi Gras event apart from others on the Gulf Coast. There is something for everyone within the celebration of culture, music, food, and art, so that the whole family can develop meaningful memories during their time at the celebration.

Businesses and economics in Northwest Florida

Northwest Florida hosts various industries such as military defense, healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. The primary employers within the Pensacola area include Navy Federal Credit Union, Baptist Health Care, Sacred Heart Health Systems, and the University of West Florida. Given that the area has such a strong military presence, a large military employer in the region is Naval Air Station Pensacola. Many of the smaller towns in the region, such as Milton, Pace, Jay, and Cantonment, can all commute into the city of Pensacola to pursue a career.

Within the smaller towns, there are plenty of other career opportunities, including professional healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing opportunities. Milton and Pace, both having the Naval Air Station Whiting Field as a popular employer, make up a significant number of military employers in the region. High on the state’s economic sector, this is known as the most efficient naval air complex. Along with the Naval Station, Pace and Milton residents also share careers at Santa Rosa Medical Center, Santa Rosa County School District, and community retail chains. There are multiple manufacturing businesses in the town of Cantonment, including Cerex Advanced Fabrics Inc. and Velocity Restorations LLC. Being a smaller town with most residents commuting for work, Jay, Florida’s major industries include service jobs in hospitality, along with different areas of construction work.

If you are looking to travel for work or leisure, Pensacola Regional Airport, located in the city, is just about an hour south of the town of Jay, making it easier to travel further than just the nearby towns for work or leisure.

Education in Northwest Florida

The Northwest Florida region offers great education opportunities, both through its local school systems and colleges in the area. University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, and Pensacola Christian College all offer excellent programs ranging from business to healthcare. These colleges are spread throughout the city and towns in the region, making them easy for anyone living there to commute. Also known for its military presence, many bases are in the greater Pensacola area. Sometimes referred to as the “Cradle of Aviation,” Pensacola is a hub for naval aviation training. As one of the largest programs within the Navy, over 50,000 students graduate from the program each year.

The Northwest Florida area offers private and public schools for younger students and is served by public school districts including the Santa Rosa County and Beulah school systems. Santa Rosa County District Schools are known to have excellent resources for military families moving into the area and transitioning to a new school. The school systems in Northwest Florida offer a variety of extracurricular activities. School spirit is big in most of the towns around Pensacola. Friday night high school football games bring the community together, and student athletes are supported all over the region.

New construction homes in Northwest Florida

Whether you are looking for coastal living or some land in the country, D.R. Horton's new home construction in Northwest Florida has something for everyone. Families enjoy the schools and entertainment, while professionals value the growing opportunities. Appreciative of the warm climate, beaches, and historical attractions, retirees thrive in the Florida panhandle. D.R. Horton’s new homes in Northwest Florida provide quality living for those in all stages of life. Browse our Northwest Florida new build home listings, or visit one of our model homes today.