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Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 REGIONAL GUIDE FOR PANAMA CITY BEACH (Note that the in this template headings are guidelines only and you can put in as much information as you can. Italics [not including the disclaimer] provide information on what information can be included. Where possible include websites to information, and if editing a current guide check the websites to make sure they still exist. If you have any tips for members and their families on anything which might useful include them where appropriate.) MAP OF AREA
ADS(W) Note: The information in the guide is strictly local and is intended to be a guide only. It represents the experiences of those previously posted to the area, not official policy, and is by no means authoritative. Members are advised to verify the information in this package with the appropriate sources prior to acting. Any N. American general information is in the G’Day guides for the benefit of people across N. America. None of the information in this regional guide is endorsed by ADS(W). Location and Population www.pcbeach.org
www.panamacity.org
Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Climate Very sunny year round, with a very short and mild Winter Season. Temperatures average 80s to 90s. The coldest is an average of 44F in January and August averages highs of 88F. Where to stay on arrival (Settling‐In) Harbour Green Apartments Ph: (850) 236 9599 – 7120 Patronis Drive, PCB. Looking for a House Consult the current officer regarding availability, rental ceilings and local area info etc. Realtors used by members and who provided good service are: • • Good websites to check out current rental properties are: • • The main communities to live in are: • Treasure Palms – a good community 5 minutes from the base. • Bay Point – a gated community nearby. Tip: Taking over your predecessor’s property is an easy option, if it is available and suits Getting Set up Phone • Local : AT&T – 1‐888‐757‐6500 or att.com Comcast – (850) 769‐0392 Knology – (850) 215‐6100 or knology.com • Long Distance: Same as above, please note that with Knology or Comcast you can bundle your phone, internet and cable together. • Personal Mobile: Contact Veronica Choo at ADS(W) to ask about pre‐arranged plans with AT&T and T‐Mobile (202‐797‐3092). You can look up the current promotions in the Finance section of the ADS(W) website but you must get a letter from Veronica to sign up for a plan. • Phone Cards: Look for phone cards at 7‐11s, pharmacies and convenience stores. Some offer rates as low as 2 cents a minute to Australia and can be topped up with a credit card. Be sure to read the fine print for hidden fees. 2 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 •
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Pre‐paid phones: Another option is to purchase a mobile (‘cell’) phone and airtime as you need it. This is an easy and inexpensive option, if not using the service heavily. An advantage is that you do not need a credit card to purchase, as you do not sign any contracts (unlike the main mobile phone companies – Nextel, Cingular etc). One option is Tracfone – www.tracfone.com. You can buy a phone and airtime cards in many shops (e.g. Wal Mart, supermarkets etc) or online and top up as you need to. Local information: tracfone does not work very well in our area, the only real pre‐
paid options for sim cards are AT&T or T‐Mobile, sim cards have come down in price recently (from $80 down to $10). If you want an unlocked Nokia phone your best bet is the internet (amazon.com or overstock.com) as Motorola is the main brand sold in stores. AT&T does have better reception coverage than T‐Mobile. If you get a sim card locally it comes with a local number and costs are minimum when phoning home from away. Gas – The only gas you need to worry about here is the bottled variety for the BBQ, known as Propane! However, if you do need gas connected Teco/Peoples Gas (877) 832‐6747. Electricity Gulf Power Company ph: 1‐800‐225‐5797 to connect or 1‐800‐487‐6937 for problems. 1230 E 15th Street, Panama City. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Ph: (850) 265‐3631 www.gcec.com Water, Sewer and Garbage ‐ Water & Sewer: City of Panama City Beach Ph: (850) 233‐5100. ‐ Garbage: Emerald Waste Services Ph: (850) 236‐1440 www.emeraldwaste.com Waste Management Ph: (888) 964‐9705 www.wm.com Cable TV Direct TV – www.directv.com new customers 1‐800 280‐4388 Comcast – (850) 769‐0392 Knology – (850) 215‐6100 or knology.com Internet AT&T – 1‐888‐757‐6500 or att.com Comcast – (850) 769‐0392 Knology – (850) 215‐6100 or knology.com Furniture Rental You should be able to fully furnish your home within the rental ceiling – especially as it is a long term rental with potential follow on business. Contacts details for companies operation in this area are: 3 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 •
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Executive Furniture Rental ph: 1‐800 955‐5309. Lois lives locally and will personally visit with a laptop to help you make your selection. She has her own taste, keep looking for what you want and don’t let her talk you into too many lamps! Cort Furniture 1‐888 908‐2678 are the only other furniture rental company available for our area. Public Transport Bus Bay Town Trolley Ph: (850) 769 0557 www.tripsmarter.com/panamacity/info/info7.htm) The Bay Town Trolley was initially used by tourists and didn’t offer great service. Now they have expanded their service year round and on weekends. It still doesn’t go everywhere, and most of the stops are waiting in the blazing sun. Train N/A Metro N/A Taxi Gulf Beach Taxi – 9850 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach Ph: (850) 866 2020 Yellow Cab Co – 703 W 13th St, Panama City Ph: (850) 763 4691 Please note that local cabs charge a set fee and do not use a meter, it can be quite expensive (e.g. $25 one way from Beach to Airport, a 10 minute trip, not including tip). Airports Panama City‐Bay County International Airport – 3173 Airport Road, Panama City 32405 Ph: (850) 763 6751 Private Transport Buying KellyBlueBook: You can check new car prices and used car values on the Kelly Blue Book website. www.kbb.com/
Some car dealerships in the area that have provided a good deal and back up service are: • • Registration Proof of insurance and the Florida driver’s license number of the registered owner is required. 4 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 You must also complete a State Form 82042 (vehicle identification number & odometer reading). www.hsmv.state.fl.us
Bay County Tax Collector’s Main Office – 648 Mulberry Ave, Panama City Ph: (850) 784‐
4090 or 17109 Panama City Parkway, Panama City Beach Ph: (850) 233 5035 Car Insurance See the G’Day USA Guide for a list of auto insurance agents that accept your Australian driving history. In this area contacts that you might find useful are: • USAA – 1‐800‐292‐8973 • Amica – 1‐800‐66‐AMICA The above aren’t local offices, but do insure Australian Driver’s licences. Driver’s License The following link provides information on the requirements for this states driving license www.hsmv.state.fl.us
Tip: You will need to sit a driver’s license test and will need to undertake a practical exam ($10 fee). Your first license fee is $20.00 and you need to take your passport and any documentation (Social Security Card) supporting your US residency (letter of posting etc). In Florida they only issue the license for the term of your posting. You need to provide the car for the test, and provide proof of registration and insurance. Obtain a driver’s handbook before booking a test. Local DMV: The local DMV Offices are located at: • 237 West 15th Street, Panama City Ph: (850) 747 5752 • 17109 Panama City Parkway, Panama City Beach Ph: (850) 233 5035 Social Security (SS) Card All members should apply for a SSN ASAP on arrival in the area (make this one of your first tasks – the sooner you get your SSN the better). Partners and children must obtain their employment authorization document before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN). Those wishing to work must have both an SSN and Work Authorisation. Local SSA Office Check the website www.ssa.gov: The nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) Office is located at: • 97 West Oak Ave, Panama City – Ph: (850) 872 9360 Tips: Make sure you know what documentation to bring and get there early as it gets busy and is a small office. Expect it to take 2‐4 weeks for your application to be 5 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 processed and your SS card issued. However, you should be able to call the SSA to obtain your SSN over the phone within a week. The card will be mailed to you. Do not lose it, as your identity can be ‘stolen’. Local employment websites • Workforce Center –625 Highway 231 Panama City Fl Ph: (850) 872‐4340 www.workforcecenter.org • Health Your Healthcare is administered by Cigna. You can look up information on Cigna doctors and specialists in your area on the Cigna website at www.cigna.com/healthcare. (Note here any entitlement to use the military medical system and what is required). Recommended Doctors (Include here names, addresses, phone numbers and websites if available) GPs (called Internists in North America) • Dr Myra Reed Ph: (850) 249‐5000 1815 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach (Dr Reed is in the Cigna network). • Pediatricians • Baldwin Pediatrix – Dr Rubina Azam ph: (850) 522 1522 625 W. Baldwin Road, Suite D, Panama City. (Dr Azam is in the Cigna network). • Dentists • Gulf Dental Center – Dr Tamam Elzawahry ph: (850) 522‐8822 1560 Jenks Ave, Panama City. • Optometrist • Dr Ferguson‐ Eyemasters Ph: (850)769‐4040 Panama City Mall • Wink Optical Boutique – take script to them glasses Ph: (850) 522‐7351 ‐ 2613 W 23rd Street, Panama City Other Specialists • Dr Mark D. White – Beach Chiropractic Clinic Ph: (850) 234‐2387 2427 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach. In the Publix shopping centre 6 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 • HealthSouth – Emerald Coast Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center Ph: (850) 784‐4878 1710 Lisenby Ave, Panama City. (In the Cigna network and you can see the physio on the base for treatment after assessment). Hospitals (Include here names, addresses, phone numbers and websites if available) The nearest hospitals are: • Gulf Coast Medical Center Ph: (850) 769‐8341 www.gcmc‐pc.com 449 W 23rd Street, Panama City. • Bay Medical Center Ph: (850) 769‐1511 www.baymedical.org 615 N Bonita Avenue, Panama City. Clinics(Include here names, addresses, phone numbers and websites if available) The nearest clinics and other medical facilities are located at: • Bay Walk‐in Clinic Ph: (850) 234‐8511 – 23rd St & Hwy 77 www.baywalkin.com • Seawind Medical Clinic Ph: (850) 249‐1000 – 16181 Panama City Beach Parkway. Pharmacies (Include here names, addresses, phone numbers and websites if available) • • 7 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Education Visit the following websites to see how schools in the area rate............. • • Pre‐Schools ‘Pre‐K’ Schools to consider for Pre‐K are (include addresses and contact details if known): • • Elementary Schools (Age 6 and up – Kindergarten to Grade X) Schools to consider are (include addresses and contact details if known): • • Middle Schools (Grade X to X) Schools to consider are (include addresses and contact details if known): • • Adult Education (Include any available information on local colleges and adult education) Gulf Coast Community College – 5230 W Highway 98 Ph: (850) 769‐1551 They will also supervise exams from overseas Universities for a small fee. Library Panama City Beach Library Ph: (850) 233‐5055 The website for Local Libraries and their hours is …………………….. Vets Use these contact details to find a local, Government approved, Vet and Testing labs for pre‐departure immunizations and testing as required under the AQIS guidelines. These guidelines can be found under the AQIS website and should be followed completely. Florida – Gainesville 7022 NW 10th Place Gainesvile, FL 32605‐3147 Ph: 352 333 3120 Florida Miami 8 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Dr Richard Cambre Dr Percell Taylor USDA, APHIS, VS PO Box 660657 Miami Springs FL 33266 Ph: 305 526 2926 Fax: 305 526 2929 Dining/Night Life (Include any recommendations and tips). Cafes • • Restaurants • • Kid‐friendly restaurants • • 9 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Bars/Clubs • • Shopping Groceries (Include advice on where to buy Aussie food items or local substitutes) Food • • Alcohol • • Specialty Stores • Tupperware – Barbara Southerland Ph: (850) 252 0807, she has a kiosk at the Tyndal Airforce Base and is very friendly. • Clothing • Ross – 23rd Street, Panama City • T J Maxx 0 23rd Street, Panama City • Appliances/Electronics • • Miscellaneous Hairdressers • Solace Day Spa & Salon – 101 Bluefish Dr, Panama City Beach Ph: (850) 234 6144 in the Pier Park shops. • Housecleaners • • Auto Repair • The auto shop on the base are good for oil changes and airconditioning regassing. 10 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 •
11 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Banking and Credit Unions • Innovations Federal Credit Union, just across the road from the Navy Base on Thomas Drive. They have a drive thru ATM and even going into the bank you get very quick and friendly service. • Things To Do (year‐round or seasonal) Day‐trips • • Weekend Trips • • Festivals • • Zoos and Aquariums • • Art Galleries and Museums • • Sport and Air Shows • • Concerts, Music, Ballet • • Other • • Outdoor Activities (Include any information on location, costs, club membership, booking etc) 12 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 Beaches • • Snow Fields • • Parks • • Public swimming pools • • Golf • • Tennis • • Other Sports • • Useful Local Websites Websites for the local area are: • • Local Newspapers (List local newspapers and how to get subscriptions): • • Extreme Weather 13 Panama City Beach Regional Guide updated as at Jul 08 (Information on what if any extreme weather conditions might occur in the area. Include where possible information on the warning system and related websites) 14