Named for an influential businessman who contributed much to the development of neighboring Pensacola, Brent has seen a significant portion of the Florida panhandle’s history.
That history is evident in the town’s name, which over the decades has continuously changed from Bownsville-Brent-Goulding to West Pensacola
Named for an influential businessman who contributed much to the development of neighboring Pensacola, Brent has seen a significant portion of the Florida panhandle’s history.
That history is evident in the town’s name, which over the decades has continuously changed from Bownsville-Brent-Goulding to West Pensacola. Regardless, Brent is a part of the Pensacola community separated by census designations alone, so if you live here, you’re part of one of the oldest European settlements in the present day United States. And those historic ties mean a lot to the proud residents in Brent and Pensacola. So much so, that in 2009 the city hosted a year long 450th birthday celebration to alert tourists and publicity to this almost forgotten chapter in their past.
It’s tempting to find a home in Florida, whether you plan to live there year round or establish a pleasantly warm retreat while your northern neighbors are shoveling December snow. But as anyone looking for Florida properties can tell you, that semi-tropical atmosphere can come at a steep price. This is especially true the further south your quest for a beachside retreat takes you. Luckily, those who are looking for a house in Brent will have an easier time than in towns further south. Firmly set in the Florida panhandle and just a short distance from the Alabama state line, this area sees a bit more of a change in seasons than most Floridian communities. But at the average cost of $113,871 for a property in Brent (city-data.com,) it is literally a small price to pay for a Florida address.
Those looking to stay year round could also look into apartments for rent. With the average gross rent at $779 in 2011, it’s also dramatically less expensive than living in Brent’s southern neighbors, but you may want to start your search early. Only 34 percent of properties are renter-occupied, meaning those looking to rent an apartment of their own will have slimmer pickings. Starting your search early, as well as using the services of an online apartments locator, will make your mission to find an apartment run much more smoothly.
With 10 percent of the properties in the Brent area being vacant, those looking to own have their work cut out for them as well. Fight the urge to pack up immediately and run to your future Floridian paradise before you have a home in sight.
Head down to Brent and you’ll find that the town’s extensive history shows. Historic districts show styles reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter, and Pensacola’s University of West Florida often hosts dig sites throughout the city. Excavations, also run by the Florida Public Archaeology Network, are always aided by volunteers. You don’t have to live in the city to be a volunteer at one of these dig sites, and you don’t have to devote a week to it. Tourists often come to lend their skills and be trained by experts for only a few hours at a time. Volunteer work involves caring for artifacts dating as far back as 1559, when the land was settled by the Spanish, and even further back to Native American settlements. You’re sure to find something interesting about the state’s earliest history.
Brent is its own neighborhood, taking up the western portion of Pensacola. Residents here can enjoy the benefits of living in a historical town at a more affordable rate than typical of the inner city. Living in Brent gives you access to everything in Escambia County, including the public school and transportation enjoyed by residents in Pensacola proper. Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) provides extensive coverage of the Brent area and easy access to Pensacola and the rest of the county. It is an ideal choice for commuters who choose not to use a car to go to and from work. And in the warmer months, you can take your family to the beach on nearby Santa Rosa Island for free with a special seasonal trolley. Isn’t the beach one of the reasons you wanted to live in Florida in the first place?
