Chipley, FL

We moved to Chipley 35 years ago when there was only one traffic signal, one sit-down restaurant and only mom-pop stores downtown. Life here in 1979 was relaxed and peaceful but it was difficult to find necessities. Today, in 2009, Chipley has everything a person truly needs. I can easily walk to shopping, restaurants, bank, church, work and even the hospital and the funeral home! (And everyone waves "hello" even if they don't know you!) And with I-10 just outside the city limits, there's quick access to larger cities for more "stuff".

The people in Chipley are sweet, loving and considerate for the most part, though there is still some very "conservative" elements that find it hard to welcome newcomers. But those "conservatives" are quickly disappearing. Chipley is a racially diverse city. But it is still not as racially integrated as it could be, though it has made some good progress, and there are no overt racial confrontations on a community level. Religion plays a big part in Chipley social affairs, with numerous churches and Christian fellowships within a ten mile radius.

But Chipley also has a theater group, a historical society and other recreational outlets. Quite a number of the men (and women) are avid hunters and fishing is a way of life down here. But these are not all "hillbillies". There are quite a number of college educated people here who work for some prominent agencies located in and around Chipley. There are are several institutions of higher learning (Chipola, Troy State; FSU; FAMU; Gulf Coast College, Vo-Tech and other branches) that are within easy commuting distance for those who want to enhance their education.

On the downside, right now there's not a lot of "blue collar" work (construction) locally, though new housing starts in Chipley's influence area over the past several years has been better than many communities of its size. Farming used to be a big industry around Chipley, but the annual investment costs versus return, coupled with competition from mega-farms out west has almost ended that. There are many acres of nearby vacant land, owned by "gentleman farmers" who treat farming as a hobby and work other jobs for income.

There are usually openings for "corrections officers" simply because there are four State Prisons withing a 30 mile radius of Chipley. Those are decent salaried stable jobs. So the job situation is not as dire as other parts of the country are experiencing in these strained economic times. But employment in Chipley should improve even more as the rapidly growing cities of Panama City Beach, Florida and Dothan, Alabama expand their radius of influence. Chipley lies halfway between these two power houses, with a drive of about 45 minutes to either one. Two four-lane expressways are right now being built to improve that connection. And a major jet-capable airport is under construction just 30 miles south of Chipley.

Besides that, for those who like a good ball game or prefer to do high finance in person, it is only a five hour drive or less to the metropolis of your choice: Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Biloxi or New Orleans. So what does Chipley need? Simply someone with the vision to see its real human potential and its advantageous strategic location as kind of "hub" for the SE Alabama, North Fla region, to recognize its industrial potential for engineering, for "clean" manufacturing, for goods distribution, for family entertainment and for housing development. Is that you? P.S. I AM NOT affiliated in any way with Chipley Chamber of Commerce. I just like living here and want it to prosper.

We've lived here ten years and love it! It's small enough to not have to worry about traffic and crime, but it has all the neccessities within the county and with just a short drive north, south, east and west your in a much larger town with "all" shopping, arts, and entertainment. A 40 min drive and your in Panama City Beach, FL the world's whitest beaches! Go 80 miles east and you're in the capital of Florida....Tallahassee! I had always dreamed of a place I could take my kids and ride bikes or walk in a safe enviroment. Chipley has the most quaint historic neighborhoods and shops and we always walk the safe and beautiful areas, it's so theraputic for us who moved from Richmond, VA's hustle and bustle.