Pensacola is known for its laid-back, coastal way-of-life, its long history and diverse culture. You’ll find all that and a few surprises in the heart of the city’s downtown.

Founded by Spanish sailor Don Tristan de Luna in 1559, the Pensacola Bay Area was the first European settlement in the New World. Over the centuries, the flags of Spain, Britain, France, the Confederacy and the United States have flown over the “City of Five Flags.”

Downtown Pensacola is home to the historical district, filled with 500 years of great facts, as well as one of the American Planning Association's “top 10 Great Streets in America”: Palafox Street. Palafox Street is a great place to discover all types of remarkable local businesses in Pensacola. It’s an incredible and vibrant place to live!

Downtown Pensacola

Downtown Pensacola is one of the neighborhoods that has one of the most extensive history in Florida. Located in South Pensacola, this neighborhood has several gorgeous homes that were built in the 1800s, along with commercial buildings. The historic portion of the district is defined by 29 buildings and museums, but the homes in the area are just as historic. Many people who love historic homes consider moving to the area since there is an abundance of them. In this blog post, we'll cover some of the reasons people choose this neighborhood and if you should move here.

Most people in Downtown choose the neighborhood because they love history. But, it's important to note the homes in the Seville Historic District are not considered historical buildings. Although they were built in the 1800s, many have not been identified as historical buildings by the state. However, if you would like to learn the history of your home, you can visit the West Florida Public Library to research it. Other than the charming historical feel of the neighborhood, below are some of the reasons people choose the Seville District.

Location

The location of a neighborhood is very important, no matter if it's a historical district or not. Where a neighborhood is changes many factors about how you live and your lifestyle. For example, if the neighborhood is very far away from quality job opportunities, you will have to commute for a longer amount of time. This can decrease the amount of time you spend at home with your family. On the other hand, if your home is in a rural area with nothing around it, you will have a long drive to necessities such as grocery stores or pharmacies.

Thankfully, the Seville Historical District has a great location. It is very close to anything you may need whether it be job opportunities, grocery stores or entertainment. Located just one block east of Palafox Street, this district is very close to downtown Pensacola. In fact, it's a three minute drive or a 20-minute walk from this district. This is where many Pensacolians find themselves commuting each morning. And, since the Seville Historic District is so close to downtown Pensacola, there are many nearby attractions to enjoy.

Nearby Attractions

One of the top reasons people choose to live in Downtown is because of the local attractions. There are several nearby attractions that both residents from the surrounding areas and tourists visit. The truth is, living in the Seville Historic District means you will always be entertained whenever you have free time. Below are just a few examples of these attractions.

Seville Square

The Seville Square is an attraction where many people find themselves enjoying a morning cup of coffee or a walk with their spouse and dog. Shaded entirely by old, large oak trees, the park is the perfect place to walk in the mornings before it gets too hot outside. The Seville Square is home to numerous weddings and festivals each year. These festivals include the Great Gulf Arts Festival, JazzFest, the Pensacola Seafood Festival and more. So, when you live in this district, you have a very short walk to these fun events.

T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum

The Seville Historical District includes the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum, which was built in 1907. This meusem covers the history of Pensacola, and Florida itself. Being rich in history because of its access to the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Ocean, many groups of people found and fought over Florida. The T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum covers the most impactful stories of Pensacola, and it's a must-see. From the Seville District homes, this museum is about a 15 minute walk, making it easily accessible.

Pensacola Museum of Art

If you and your family love the arts, you will likely find yourself frequenting the Pensacola Musuem of Art. This museum also has quite the history itself. This building was a jail from 1908 to 1940 that could hold up to 20 prisoners. But, when it was outgrown as Pensacola got larger, they had to move the jail. Later in 1988, the Pensacola Art Association purchased the building.

Today, the museum is owned by the University of West Florida. They offer a handful exhibits at a time, but they change every few months. With that being said, you can visit this museum every few weeks and have a whole new experience.

Pensacola Children's Museum

Another museum nearby is the Pensacola Children's Museum. If you have children, this museum is an excellent one to visit. Unfortunately, this museum is currently closed due to COVID, but it will hopefully open back up soon. If you move to the neighborhood, you will likely see this museum open back up in the future. This museum normally has fun activities for children like hands-on learning, dress-up clothes, a trainset and a reading area. The museum is the perfect spot to learn about the history of Pensacola, multicultural history, military history and more.

Plaza Ferdinand VII

Just outside the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Museum is the Plaza Ferdinand VII. This plaza was donated to the City of Pensacola by Don Manuel Gonzalez, who received the land from the Spanish throne, according to the Visit Pensacola website. After this, Andrew Jackson was sworn in as the territorial governor in the plaza in 1821.

In addition to the history that took place on the plaza, there are also very many monuments you can see. From cannons to fountains to monuments, there are so many interesting things to look at. It's safe to say this plaza helps encourage the historical feel of the district.

Palafox Street

As mentioned above, the Seville Historic District is just a block east of Palafox Street. This street is in the heart of downtown Pensacola and is home to many local businesses. People often spend an entire afternoon enjoying these local businesses and walking around the historical buildings. This street has many great restaurants, stores, art exhibits and more.

Palafox Street has a rich history as well, which is often why so many people visit it. The street was first paved in 1892 for streetcars, which is perhaps why the street held many businesses such as a theatre and hotel. For each business or restaurant you visit, their employees or owners can likely explain the history of their business specifically. If you move to the Seville Historic District because you love historical architecture or feeling like you are being taken back in time, you will adore Palafox Street.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Downtown Pensacola  is more expensive than surrounding areas of Pensacola. This is because of the high demand of living in the beautiful historical homes. Also, the very close proximity to downtown Pensacola increases the cost, as most people prefer a shorter commute. So, if you would like to live in this district, be prepared to invest a bit more in your home.

Single-family homes in the area are often above $750,000. But, do keep in mind, most of these homes were built in the 1800s and each have a unique story. However, you don't have to pay this much to live in the Seville District. A way to save on living in this area is to purchase a vacant lot, and then building a new home on it. While this does remove the historical aspect of the home, it will save you a considerable amount of money.

Who Enjoys the Seville Historic District?

Now that you know the feeling of Downtown Pensacola and the local attractions, you may be wondering if you will truly enjoy the area. The truth is, the people who tend to move to this neighborhood are those who love history. If you move to this neighborhood, you will likely live and spend most of your time in buildings that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most residents in the area have a deep appreciation for this style of architecture and the history that comes with it. So, if you are in the same boat, you will likely enjoy this area greatly.

On the other hand, if you aren't a big fan of historical homes and buildings, the Seville Historic District may not be the right location for you. People who live in this neighborhood are willing to spend extra on a historical home, and it can feel like a waste if you aren't interested in the home's history. In this case, it would be best to consider a neighborhood such as Scenic Hills or University Oaks.