Back in the spring and early summer, when this blog just got started, articles by local Destin and other Emerald Coast publications were touting the fact that, despite the economy, the area was seeing more tourists. The result of attracting more outsiders to the Emerald Coast was seen as the result of two factors: less money to travel resulting in “stay-cations” and resorts and rental communities offering discounts for renting but also entertainment and dining options. A recent article published in Northwest Florida Daily News, however, states that the area saw a drop in revenue but increase in the amount of tourists in the area.

The drop isn’t a significant concern, however. In the long term, more at this economic point traveled to Destin than before as the result of modifying vacation destinations – Destin, Florida as opposed to the Riviera. Vacation time was modified, in addition, as various rental property associations saw more customers wanting to rent for shorter periods of time. Instead of one or two weeks, this meant that tourists were staying around just for a weekend. But, although rental visits increased steadily since January (and some had to expand their offerings to accommodate the demands), what about the entertainment options?

The entertainment and dining options ranging from restaurants and bars to concerts and golfing seemed to experience fewer visits, according to the article. Although various resorts and rental associations offered tourist packages that combined lower rental rates with passes to entertainment and dining locations, visiting entertainment destinations like amusement and water parks seemed to be down. Destin’s primary attraction is the white sands and turquoise-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and those coming to stay for a few days may only stay on the beach and explore other free options like hiking through the area or biking down 30A.

Miramar Beach is one of the over a dozen communities making up South Walton. As one of the beaches closer to Destin, Miramar, aside from being primarily an oceanfront community, is known for its shopping destination, the Silver Sands Outlet Mall, one of the high-end shopping options the Emerald Coast has to offer. The communities of South Walton are often considered a more laid-back alternative to the business of the city of Destin but, even so, many of these communities like Miramar Beach are still vacation destinations and are a short drive away from Destin on route 30A.

As a beach town, Miramar Beach has both extensive rental and property ownership options. For the former, Miramar beach has both rental houses and condos. Beach communities are considered a hot commodity along the Emerald Coast and, as Miramar sits right on the Gulf, most rental properties here are going to be right by the beach. In terms of price, this means that rentals will be higher in other communities but the beach itself is closer no matter where you decide to stay in Miramar. Miramar Beach rental properties are listed in the descriptions on Five Star Gulf Rentals, and this includes both large houses for ten people – or two to three vacationing families – and condos.

If staying in South Walton is more than just a vacation, owning a home by the beach may be the ideal location for you. The current economic climate and real estate downturn has resulted in more than average amounts of foreclosed and short sale properties. Although foreclosures and short sales are less than the original amount of the home, this doesn’t mean that the price will be cheap. For single homes and condos in Miramar, this means prices from $1.5 million and downward. Townhomes, however, offer a more affordable options, and, in the Miramar Beach property listings on JoshMcLeanHomes.com, this includes properties up to $600,000.