What Should I Know About the University of West Florida if I'm Moving to Pensacola?

The University of West Florida is a public university whose main campus sits on about 1,600 acres of hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River, roughly 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola in the Ferry Pass area. Beyond classes, it gives the community nature trails on campus and, through the UWF Historic Trust, historic sites downtown and in Milton.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre.

• Main campus. 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola.
• Downtown Pensacola. UWF also has a downtown location.
• UWF Emerald Coast. A location in Fort Walton Beach.

My page on Pensacola covers the city and its neighborhoods.

Yes. The Edward Ball Nature Trail is a half-mile boardwalk over Thompson's Bayou, a hardwood swamp, reached from behind Building 10. It connects to the West Campus trails, and the campus has more than 20 miles of trails in all.

• Access is free, with generally no permit needed.
• The university says its nature trails aren't currently considered accessible by ADA standards.
• You may see turtles, birds and the occasional alligator. Don't feed the wildlife.

The UWF Historic Trust is a direct support organization of the university. It runs Historic Pensacola downtown, with 28 properties, and the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Milton.

• One Historic Pensacola ticket is good for a week, and guided house tours are included.
• Hours and which museums are open change with the season and events, so check before you go.
• Some Trust events, like its annual open house, are free and open to the public.

My page on Milton covers the area around Arcadia Mill.

1. Test the drive. Try your daily routes at the times you'd actually travel.
2. Compare more than one area. Homes near campus, in Pace and in Milton can be a short drive apart and very different in price and style.
3. Confirm the schools for the address. Check the assigned schools with the school district before relying on a listing.
4. Look at the home itself. Roof, insurance and the flood zone matter here like anywhere in the area.

My post on choosing between Pace, Milton and Cantonment covers the towns nearby.

• Assuming everything UWF runs is on the main campus. The Historic Trust sites are downtown and in Milton.
• Skipping the hours check. Historic sites close for some events and holidays.
• Expecting paved, accessible paths on every trail. The nature trails aren't rated ADA accessible.
• Judging a neighborhood from a map. Drive it first.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• Your routine. Where you'll drive every day, and what you want nearby.
• The short list. Areas that fit, including Pace and Milton.
• Each serious home. The drive tested, the schools confirmed, the home checked closely.

See how I help people relocating to the Pensacola area.

Where is the University of West Florida?

The main campus is at 11000 University Parkway in Pensacola, about 10 miles north of downtown in the Ferry Pass area.

Can the public walk the UWF nature trail?

Yes. The Edward Ball Nature Trail is free to access, with generally no permit needed.

What does the UWF Historic Trust run?

Historic Pensacola downtown, with 28 properties, and the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Milton.

How long is a Historic Pensacola ticket good for?

One week, and guided house tours are included.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline. I'll walk you through it before you decide anything.

Schedule a time to talk with Vivian.