The Small Town at Eglin's Front Door
Living in Shalimar, Florida
Shalimar is a tiny, tight-knit town on the water between Fort Walton Beach and Eglin Air Force Base. You cross a bridge to get here, you can be at the base gate in minutes, and the Gulf beaches are a short drive away. Here's what it's really like to live here.
The Short Answer
Is Shalimar a Good Place to Live?
For many people, yes. Especially if you work at Eglin, love the water, or want a quiet, established neighborhood that's still close to everything.
Shalimar is small on purpose. The town itself is less than half a square mile, wrapped by Choctawhatchee Bay, Garnier's Bayou and Eglin's land. That keeps it quiet. Most of what people call "Shalimar" also includes the neighborhoods around it with a Shalimar address, like Shalimar Pointe, Lake Lorraine and Poquito Bayou.
Its own town, its own policeShalimar was incorporated in 1947 and has its own small police department. Visit the Town of Shalimar website. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is based here too.
Built for officers in 1943The town began as a planned community of 160 homes for military officers near Eglin Field. Shalimar's military roots run deep.
Water on almost every sideBay, bayous and boat ramps make a boating lifestyle easy, and there are waterfront homes for people who want a dock.
Get Your Bearings
Right Between Fort Walton Beach & Niceville
Shalimar sits just over the bridge from Fort Walton Beach, at the edge of Eglin Air Force Base, with Niceville a short drive east.
Map drawn to scale using real locations; coastlines are simplified. Mileage is approximate driving distance.
Shalimar by the Numbers
"Shalimar" means two things here: the tiny town itself, and the bigger 32579 ZIP code around it. Switch between them to see who lives here.
The 32579 ZIP code covers the town plus Shalimar Pointe, Lake Lorraine, Poquito Bayou, Longwood and the neighborhoods along the bay.
The incorporated Town of Shalimar is only about 0.3 square miles: a handful of streets, the original officer homes, and its own town hall and police.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census and American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024), via Census Reporter, Data USA and Point2. Figures are estimates.
Is Shalimar a Fit for You?
Tap the things that matter most in your move. You'll see how Shalimar stacks up, honestly.
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Everyday Distances
How Far Is Everything?
Typical drive times from the middle of Shalimar. Shalimar itself almost never has traffic. Only summer and spring break crowds near the beach in Fort Walton Beach can add a few minutes.
Drive times are approximate and will vary with traffic and exact location.
Where Exactly Is Shalimar?
We're in the Florida Panhandle, closer to Alabama than to Orlando. Tap a city to see how far it is by car.
Tap a city to see the route.
Map is a simplified illustration. Drive times are approximate.
Moving From Out of State?
North Florida Is Not South Florida
If you're picturing palm-lined highways and Miami heat, Northwest Florida will surprise you.
PCSing to Eglin?
A Military Family's Shalimar Checklist
The things military families ask me most before they move to Shalimar.
Minutes to the Gate
Eglin's main gate is about 5 minutes away with almost no traffic. Hurlburt Field is about 20 minutes west.
Check Your BAH
Look up your rate with the official DoD BAH calculator (Eglin uses ZIP code 32542), and I'll help you match it to the right home.
Buying With a VA Loan
VA loans are very common in this military community. See how I help VA and military buyers.
Thinking Ahead to Renting
Many families keep their Shalimar home as a rental when they PCS out. Being this close to Eglin keeps it attractive to the next military family.
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs June through November. Check a home's flood zone on the FEMA flood map and get insurance quotes early.
Know Your Zone
Confirm which schools serve an address on the Okaloosa County school zoning page before you write an offer.
Popular Shalimar Neighborhoods
These are the areas where I see the most buying and selling. Tap any card for who it fits and what to know.
Neighborhood medians are recent sale-price snapshots (Redfin and local MLS data, Aug–Oct 2026) and can swing a lot on small numbers of sales.
Established vs. New
Shalimar is almost entirely established neighborhoods. About half of the homes in town were built in the 1990s, and fewer than 7% were built after 2000. With the bay on one side and Eglin's land on the other, there's very little room left to build. If brand-new construction is a must, I'll also show you Crestview or Navarre.
Share of homes in the Town of Shalimar by decade built. Source: ACS 5-year estimates via Point2.
Shalimar Homes for Sale
Every single-family home for sale in Shalimar, Shalimar Pointe, Lake Lorraine and Poquito Bayou, at every price point. Updated automatically.
Parks, Golf & the Water
What People Love Doing Here
Shalimar is small, but there's a lot packed into it, and most of it involves the water.
Shalimar Pointe Golf Club
An 18-hole, par-72 course on Choctawhatchee Bay, designed by Finger-Dye. It reopened in 2023 after a $1.7 million renovation with new greens, bunkers and carts.
The public is welcome, and memberships are offered with no initiation fee.
Golf · Driving Range · Bar & GrilleMeigs Park
A small bayside park with a boat ramp to Choctawhatchee Bay, a sandy beach for swimming and fishing, and covered picnic tables.
Boat Ramp · Swimming · PicnicsLongwood/Poquito Bayou Park
Pavilions with picnic tables and grills, a boat ramp onto the bayou, and a spot to swim. A favorite for family cookouts.
Boat Ramp · Pavilions · GrillsCombs Park & Town Life
Combs Park got a new playground with a climbing wall, four slides and four swings. Nearby is the volunteer-run Shalimar Library, a true small-town touch.
Playground · Library · Community EventsNew Park at the Shalimar Bridge
Okaloosa County is working on a waterfront park at the foot of the Shalimar Bridge, with plans for a fishing pier, an observation platform, temporary boat slips and picnic pavilions.
In the WorksAir Force Armament Museum
Free to visit and open to everyone, just up Eglin Parkway. Kids love the outdoor airpark, which is open sunup to sundown.
Across the bridge, Garnier's Beach Park in Fort Walton Beach adds a bayfront beach, playground and boat ramp.
Free · Family FavoriteDay-to-Day Life
Groceries, Doctors & Everyday Errands
The town itself is mostly homes. Shopping and services line Eglin Parkway, just over the bridge.
Groceries & Big Stores
- Publix with pharmacy on Eglin Parkway, about 6 minutes
- Walmart Supercenter on Beal Parkway, about 12 minutes
- Target in Mary Esther, about 20 minutes
Health Care
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, about 10 minutes
- Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, about 18 minutes
- Eglin's 96th Medical Group for military families
Places to Eat
- Pepper's Mexican Grill & Cantina on Eglin Parkway in Shalimar
- Aegean Restaurant for Greek favorites, also in Shalimar
- Plus the bar and grille at Shalimar Pointe, and downtown Fort Walton Beach minutes away
Services
- Mechanics, tire shops and auto parts along Eglin Parkway
- Clothing and shoes in Fort Walton Beach, plus Santa Rosa Mall in Mary Esther
- Destin Commons and the Silver Sands outlets in Miramar Beach for bigger shopping days
For Families
Schools Near Shalimar
Shalimar is part of the Okaloosa County School District, which earned an "A" district grade from the Florida Department of Education for 2026.
Meigs Middle School
- Clifford Meigs Middle School is right in Shalimar, named for the developer who founded the town.
Choctawhatchee High School
- The closest high school to Shalimar, just over the bridge in Fort Walton Beach.
Private School Option
- Cinco Christian School, a ministry of Cinco Baptist Church, serves infants through 5th grade, including preschool and VPK.
- Just across the bridge on Yacht Club Drive in Fort Walton Beach.
Check the Official Info
- Florida DOE school grades for every school
- Okaloosa County school zoning to see which schools serve an address
School assignments depend on the exact address and can change. Please verify school ratings and zoning directly with the Florida Department of Education and the Okaloosa County School District, and contact private schools directly about enrollment.
Budget Check
Cost of Living in Shalimar
Shalimar sits right in the middle for our area: more than Crestview, less than Niceville or Destin.
A general guide to housing costs across our area, not an exact ranking.
Market Snapshot · October 2026
The Shalimar Housing Market
A quick look at the 32579 ZIP code, which includes townhomes, older homes and golf-course homes.
Sources: local MLS data via Momentum (32579, as of Oct. 11, 2026) and Redfin (Shalimar Pointe, three months ending Aug. 2026). Numbers change monthly. Ask me for today's numbers on any street.
The Honest Version
Pros & Things to Consider
- One of the shortest commutes to Eglin in the whole area
- Quiet, established streets with a real small-town, community feel
- Golf, tennis and boat ramps right in town
- Almost no traffic in Shalimar, and an easy, traffic-free drive to the airport
- About 10 minutes to the airport and 15 to the beach
- Meigs Middle School right in town, with Choctawhatchee High close by
- Very little new construction, since there's almost no land left to build on
- Few big stores inside town limits; most errands are just over the bridge
- Beach traffic picks up in spring and summer on Hwy 98 and Eglin Parkway near downtown Fort Walton Beach
- Being next to an active Air Force base means you'll hear jets
- Waterfront homes need careful flood and insurance homework
Own a Home in Shalimar?
What Is Your Shalimar Home Worth?
Golf course, bayou or original town, every Shalimar street sells a little differently. Enter your address and I'll personally review your home and send you a custom value.
Good Questions
Living in Shalimar FAQ
Is Shalimar, FL a good place to live?
Yes, especially for Eglin families, boaters, golfers and anyone who wants a quiet, established neighborhood close to everything.
It's small and mostly residential, so you'll cross the bridge for most shopping. In exchange, you get short commutes, water access and a real small-town feel.
How close is Shalimar to Eglin Air Force Base?
Very close. Eglin's main gate is on Eglin Parkway right at Shalimar, about 5 minutes from most homes.
Hurlburt Field is about 20 minutes away, and the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is about 10 minutes, with practically no traffic on the way.
How far is Shalimar from the beach?
About 15 minutes to the Gulf beaches on Okaloosa Island, and about 30 minutes to Destin.
Closer to home, Meigs Park and Longwood/Poquito Bayou Park have small sandy spots on the bay and bayou for swimming and launching a boat.
Is Shalimar its own town?
Yes. The Town of Shalimar was incorporated in 1947 and has its own town government and small police department.
The town itself is only about 0.3 square miles. Nearby neighborhoods like Shalimar Pointe, Lake Lorraine and Poquito Bayou share the Shalimar 32579 address but sit outside the town limits.
What is the cost of living in Shalimar, Florida?
Moderate for our area: higher than Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, and lower than Niceville or Destin.
Recent sales across the 32579 ZIP code had a median around $325,000, with golf-course and waterfront homes much higher. Florida has no state income tax, but insurance costs vary, so get quotes early.
Does Shalimar, FL have a golf course?
Yes. Shalimar Pointe Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course on Choctawhatchee Bay that's open to the public.
It reopened in 2023 after a $1.7 million renovation, and the Shalimar Pointe neighborhood surrounds the course.
Are there waterfront homes in Shalimar?
Yes. There are homes on Choctawhatchee Bay, Garnier's Bayou and Poquito Bayou, many with docks for a boating lifestyle.
Before you buy, check the flood zone, seawall and dock condition, and water depth for your boat.
What schools serve Shalimar, Florida?
Shalimar is in the Okaloosa County School District. Meigs Middle School is right in Shalimar, and Choctawhatchee High School is the closest high school.
Zoning depends on the exact address, so check the Okaloosa County school zoning page, and see official ratings on the Florida Department of Education school grades page.
How far is Shalimar from Atlanta and other cities?
About 5 hours to Atlanta, 2 hours to Mobile, 3 hours to Montgomery and 2.5 to 3 hours to Tallahassee.
Orlando is about 6 hours and Tampa about 6.5 to 7 hours, so we're much closer to Alabama and Georgia than to South Florida.
Do Your Own Homework
Sources & Helpful Links
The official websites and data sources behind this guide, all in one place.
Thinking About Shalimar?
Let's Find Your Street
Whether you're PCSing to Eglin, moving from out of state or selling a home in Shalimar, I'll help you figure out which part of town fits. No pressure.
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Keep exploring: VA & Military Buyers · Living in Navarre · How I Sell Homes · What's My Home Worth?
Nicole McGowan, REALTOR®, MRP, SRS · CENTURY 21 Wimco Realty, Inc. · Equal Housing Opportunity. Community information comes from public sources believed reliable but not guaranteed; please verify school zoning, flood zones and HOA details for any specific home.
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