Moving to 30A: The Complete Relocation Guide (Schools, Internet, Utilities)
Everyone tells you about the sunsets, the sugar-white sand, and the turquoise water. But when you’re actually moving to South Walton’s 30A corridor, you need different answers: Which utility company do I call? Where are the fiber internet dead zones? How do I get my kids into a decent school without paying $20k+ in private tuition?
Moving to South Walton requires navigating a complex grid of utility providers, competitive school zones, and connectivity challenges that lifestyle blogs conveniently skip. This guide gives you the practical intel you need to actually live here, not just vacation.
Quick Reference: Who Handles Utilities in 30A?
| Category | Primary Provider(s) | Critical “Need-to-Know” |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | CHELCO | Basic rate ~$35/mo + usage. Rates hiked ~5.1% in late 2025. |
| Water & Sewer | Regional Utilities | Regional holds the franchise for South Walton. (Not “South Walton Utility Co”). |
| Gas | Okaloosa Gas | Saves ~46% vs. electric heating ($2.08 gas vs $3.82 electric equivalent). |
| Internet | LiveOak / Quantum / Mediacom | Fiber is patchy; verify address. Mediacom covers most areas but has slower uploads. |
| Trash | Waste Management | Schedules vary by address. “Bear-Proof” cans required for many rentals. |
| School Lottery | Seaside Neighborhood School | 2026 Deadline: Feb 13, 2026. Applications opened Jan 9. |
Save this list. You’ll need it the day you get keys.
Utilities: Costs, Deposits, and Maps
Electricity (CHELCO)
CHELCO is the electric cooperative serving 30A and most of Walton County. As of 2025-2026, expect approximately $35 as a basic monthly customer charge plus usage costs. The cooperative implemented a rate increase of roughly 5.1%, so budget accordingly. New residents typically need to provide a deposit or proof of good payment history from a previous utility provider.
Gas vs. Electric Heating (The Hidden Saver)
Here’s something most newcomers miss: many assume all-electric heating is standard in Florida beach homes. Wrong. If your property has natural gas access through Okaloosa Gas (check the yellow markers on the street or ask your realtor), you could save approximately 46% on heating costs compared to electric. The math: natural gas runs around $2.08 per therm equivalent, while electric heat costs approximately $3.82 for the same output. Over a winter season (yes, it does get cold here), that difference compounds. Before you move in, confirm whether your home has gas hookups and consider gas appliances for water heaters, dryers, and heating.
Water and Sewer
Regional Utilities operates under a franchise agreement to provide water and wastewater services to most residential areas in South Walton, including the 30A corridor. Many people search for “South Walton Utility Co.” and get confused—that’s not the right name. Go directly to Regional Utilities for service setup. Water bills typically run $40-80 monthly for average household usage, but expect higher costs if you’re maintaining landscaping in the summer heat.
Trash Pickup
Waste Management handles residential trash collection via contract with Walton County, but here’s the catch: pickup days vary by specific address, not by general area. You’ll need to verify your exact schedule when you move in. If you’re planning to rent your home as a short-term vacation rental, Walton County enforces strict “bear-proof” container regulations. Non-compliant cans result in fines, and bears absolutely do visit 30A neighborhoods, particularly near wooded areas.
Internet & Connectivity: Fiber vs. Cable
Let’s be blunt: 30A internet is notoriously unreliable, and if you’re a remote worker, this will be your biggest headache.
The Providers
Mediacom has the widest coverage footprint along 30A. It’s cable internet, which means you’ll likely have service available at your address. The problem? Locals routinely complain about upload speeds that choke during video calls and outages that seem to spike during peak vacation season when bandwidth demand surges. If Mediacom is your only option, plan for backup connectivity.
Fiber (The Gold Standard): LiveOak Fiber and Quantum Fiber represent the best-case scenario—gigabit speeds, symmetrical upload/download, and reliable service. Both providers are expanding aggressively in Walton County, but coverage remains patchy, especially in Santa Rosa Beach and some eastern 30A neighborhoods. Before you lease or buy, confirm fiber availability at your exact address. If fiber is available, get it. Non-negotiable for remote work.
Starlink: Elon Musk’s satellite internet has full coverage across the Florida Panhandle and delivers approximately 220 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload speeds. It’s not as fast as fiber, but it’s dramatically more reliable than Mediacom in areas without fiber access. Many remote workers along 30A use Starlink as either their primary connection or as backup during Mediacom outages. The upfront equipment cost runs around $500-600, with monthly service around $120.
The Bottom Line: If you work from home, verify your internet options before you sign a lease. Fiber first, Starlink second, Mediacom as a last resort.
Schools: Zones, Lotteries & Tuition
For families moving to 30A, school assignments can make or break your housing decision.
Public School Zones
The Walton County School District assigns students based on address. The two primary elementary schools serving 30A residential areas are Dune Lakes Elementary and Van R. Butler Elementary. Both are well-regarded, but specific neighborhoods feed into specific schools, so verify your zoning before you commit to a home. Middle and high school students typically attend Emerald Coast Middle School and South Walton High School, respectively.
The Charter School Lotteries (Crucial Dates)
Seaside Neighborhood School is the most sought-after charter option along 30A, offering a progressive, project-based curriculum in a walkable campus setting. Admission is by lottery only. The application window for the 2026-2027 school year opened on January 9, 2026, with a hard deadline of February 13, 2026. Miss that deadline, and your child goes on a waitlist that may never clear. If Seaside is part of your relocation plan, mark that February 13th date now and submit your application early in the window—spots are extremely competitive.
Other charter options in Walton County include Emerald Coast Classical School and Northwest Florida Ballet Academie, though neither has a physical campus on 30A proper.
Private School Options
Ohana Institute in Santa Rosa Beach offers a private, project-based learning environment for elementary and middle school students. Tuition for the 2026 school year is $21,500 annually. That number surprises many relocating families who assume Florida private schools cost less than northern counterparts. They don’t—at least not the quality options. Ohana emphasizes outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and small class sizes. If you’re considering private education, budget for tuition, plus additional costs for after-school care, uniforms, and activity fees.
Other Private Options: Some families opt for private schools in Destin or Niceville, but that adds 30-60 minutes of daily driving each way—a significant quality-of-life calculation when traffic is factored in.
Living in 30A Florida Pros and Cons
Let’s strip away the Instagram filter and talk honestly about living in 30A Florida pros and cons.
The Cons (The “Unmentioned Negatives”)
Highway 98 Traffic: During peak season (March through August), Highway 98 transforms into a parking lot. What should be a 10-minute drive to the grocery store becomes 40 minutes of stop-and-go frustration. Side roads like County Road 30A itself get equally clogged with golf carts, pedestrians, and tourists unfamiliar with the area. If you need to commute daily for work, understand that your drive time will triple in summer.
Healthcare Access: 30A has urgent care clinics and general practitioners, but access to specialists requires driving to Destin (30-40 minutes without traffic) or Panama City (60+ minutes). If you have chronic health conditions requiring regular specialist visits, factor in hours of windshield time. The nearest major hospital, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, is about 45 minutes away. Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach is closer but still requires planning.
Cost of Living: Housing costs along 30A run approximately 137% to 342% above the national average, depending on proximity to the beach. But housing is just the start. Homeowners insurance has skyrocketed post-Hurricane Michael, with annual premiums running $4,000-8,000+ for beach-proximate homes. HOA fees range from $100 per month in basic neighborhoods to over $1,000 monthly in amenity-rich communities with private beach access. Property taxes, while lower than some northern states, still run around 1% of assessed value in Walton County. Groceries cost more. Dining out costs more. Everything costs more, because you’re paying for the location.
Hurricane Risk: This is coastal Florida. Hurricane season runs June through November, with September being peak risk. Evacuation orders happen. Boarding up windows happens. Losing power for days happens. If you’ve never lived through a hurricane, understand it’s not just about the storm itself—it’s about the preparation stress, the potential property damage, and the reality that your homeowner’s insurance deductible might be 2-5% of your home’s value.
The Pros
Safety: Walton County maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The 30A corridor, being largely residential and tourist-focused, has a strong sheriff’s presence and generally feels safe for families.
Property Appreciation: Despite market fluctuations, 30A real estate has shown strong long-term appreciation. Coastal properties with limited supply and high demand tend to hold and grow value, assuming you can weather market cycles.
Lifestyle: Yes, this matters. The beaches are genuinely world-class. The community is active and outdoorsy. The food scene punches above its weight. You can paddleboard to breakfast, bike to dinner, and watch sea turtles nest on your evening walk. For families who value outdoor access and natural beauty, 30A delivers daily.
No State Income Tax: Florida charges no state income tax, which can represent significant savings for high earners relocating from states like California, New York, or New Jersey.
Final Checklist Before You Move
Before you load the moving truck, confirm:
- [ ] Fiber internet availability at your exact address
- [ ] School assignments or lottery application deadlines
- [ ] Utility deposits and setup appointments scheduled
- [ ] Homeowners insurance quote (get multiple—variance is huge)
- [ ] Hurricane preparedness plan and evacuation route
- [ ] Healthcare provider in network and proximity to specialists
Moving to 30A means embracing both the postcard beauty and the practical realities of coastal life in a seasonal tourism economy. Plan for the logistics now, and you’ll actually enjoy those sunsets everyone keeps talking about.
