1626 Fenwick Drive in Emerald Village: 3 Minutes to Hurlburt Field, Updated 4/2, and a Smart Buy Near the Bases

by Andrew Iremonger

If your main priority is being close to Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, the beaches, and the airport, but you don’t want to pay Destin prices, this is one you want to watch closely.

1626 Fenwick Drive is located in Emerald Village, a neighborhood that stays in demand because of one thing: location. From here, Hurlburt Field is roughly a 3 to 5 minute drive, Eglin is about 10 to 15 minutes, the nearest beach access on Okaloosa Island is around 10 minutes, Destin is roughly 15 to 20 minutes, and the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is also about 15 to 20 minutes away.

The home itself is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom property built in 2001 with just under 2,150 square feet, and it has the kind of upgrades that make it feel turnkey.

Where Emerald Village Is and Why Military Buyers Love It

Emerald Village sits right outside Hurlburt Field in a highly convenient part of the Fort Walton Beach area.

This location draws consistent demand because it supports real daily life:

short base commutes
quick access to shopping and essentials
simple routes toward Destin, Navarre, and the beaches
less seasonal volatility than the tourist-heavy pockets

If you’re PCS’ing and don’t want to gamble with commute times, this is one of those neighborhoods that tends to stay safe for resale and rental strategy.

First Impressions: Clean Updates, Popcorn Removed, and a Solid Layout

The entry starts with a long hallway leading to the main living space, with bedrooms split on both sides. One detail that matters for buyers: the popcorn ceilings were removed, and recessed lighting was added, which helps the home feel brighter even with standard ceiling height.

Flooring includes a wood-look material in the main areas and carpet in the bedrooms. Even if you’re usually anti-carpet, this one is worth noting because it was described as soft and comfortable, which is rare in many older homes.

Kitchen and Living: Big Windows, Gas Fireplace, and a Large Island

The living area has large windows for natural light and a gas fireplace.

The kitchen is a standout for the price point, especially because it features a large island and an open feel with architectural separation between spaces. This is the kind of setup that works well for entertaining, daily life, and long-term rental appeal.

There is also a dedicated pantry space and a laundry room with enough extra room that a buyer could potentially add a sink or additional utility setup if desired.

Garage and Utility Wins: Finished Look and Water Heater Outside

The two-car garage was finished to match the home’s upgraded feel, including lighting and clean paint work.

A practical detail mentioned in the tour: the water heater is outside. That matters because leaks become less catastrophic when they happen outside instead of inside the home.

Backyard and Storm Prep: Hurricane Shutters and Insurance Benefits

The backyard includes hurricane shutters that are easy to secure and provide wind mitigation advantages.

For buyers, this matters because a wind mitigation inspection and four-point inspection often help reduce insurance costs, especially when paired with solid update dates on major systems.

This home’s system updates are a big deal:

Roof: 2015
HVAC: 2025 (brand new)
Water heater: 2025 (brand new)

Those three items alone typically improve insurability and reduce the risk of “surprise” expenses right after closing.

Primary Suite: Updated Feel, Dual Vanities, Tub, and Separate Shower

The primary suite includes recessed lighting, dual vanities, a large soaking tub, a separate shower, and a walk-in closet.

It also includes a closed-off toilet room, which is one of those small quality-of-life features that people appreciate more once they have kids, guests, or just want a little peace and privacy.

Taxes, Homestead, and Why This Matters Long-Term

A key point brought up in the tour is homestead status.

In Florida, homesteading your primary residence can reduce property taxes and limit annual tax increases. Without homestead, taxes can increase faster over time.

This property was noted as not currently homesteaded, which helps explain why the taxes were higher than you might expect for the price point.

At the time of the tour, the annual property taxes were referenced around $4,589.

If you plan to use the home as a primary residence and qualify for homestead, that can improve your long-term ownership costs.

Location Breakdown: Base Access, Beaches, Destin, and the Airport

This is the kind of location that makes daily life easier.

Approximate drive times referenced in the tour:

Hurlburt Field: about 3 to 5 minutes
Eglin AFB: about 10 to 15 minutes
Okaloosa Island beach access: about 10 minutes
Destin: about 15 to 20 minutes
VPS Airport: about 15 to 20 minutes

The tour also highlighted how close the area is to daily essentials like gas, shopping, and nearby commercial hubs, all without feeling locked into tourist congestion.

Strong Resale and Rental Strategy (Especially for PCS Plans)

This neighborhood tends to hold demand because military orders create consistent movement and housing needs.

The tour referenced typical rental ranges in the area around:

$2,000 to $2,400 per month (market-dependent)

The key takeaway is that even if you only plan to stay a few years, this type of property often gives you multiple exit options:

sell into strong buyer demand
rent it out with steady military-driven tenancy

The home was referenced around a $449,000 price point in the tour. If you want current pricing and availability, we can pull it quickly.

Thinking About Living Near Hurlburt Field Without Paying Destin Prices?

If you want to be close to the bases, beaches, and the airport while still keeping ownership costs reasonable, Emerald Village is worth considering.

We can help you compare this property to similar options near Hurlburt Field and Eglin, run realistic monthly ownership numbers, and map out a resale or rental plan from day one.

Visit our Contact Us page to start a conversation.