I grew up in Pensacola and moved away about 4 years ago to Baltimore for a job promotion . For work , I visit NYC a couple times a month and travel to quite a bit elsewhere throughout the year San Fran , Detroit , London , Brazil , Mexico City , etc . I also visit home Pensacola once or twice a year . My wife and I she also grew up there are moving back to Pace next month . Moving away and experiencing all of this was an awesome time of growth for us , and no doubt that what you ' re saying is true there is a literal world of culture and experience that can ' t be found in the Pensacola area . It gives an appreciation for a much more complete world view that you ' d otherwise be ignorant to and once you remove yourself from that , you ' re much more aware of it being missing . That said , you come to equally appreciate how easy and enjoyable life in the Pensacola area can be , especially the beach . Especially as you come into a settle down phase my wife and I are older 20 s , getting ready to start our family , a simpler life with great friends and family nearby becomes very desirable . There wasn ' t a time we visited where we said So glad we ' re not back here . It ' s a simpler and be default , less exciting life , but that becomes appreciated in its own way . TLDR The world is awesome and something everyone should take time to experience , but the Pensacola area is way under appreciated by those who can ' t get past small southern town cynicism .