How is Navarre Beach? Need to rent a house next summer.

I always liked Navarre as an alternative to Destin but I probably haven't been there in 10 years

We go to Navarre every year for Thanksgiving. I like it during that time as it's not as crowded and the weather is still nice enough (warm) to get in the water.
I've never been during summer but I've heard horror stories of sitting in traffic for an hour or more to cross the bridge. There are no grocery stores on the beach side of the bay, only a small Tom Thumb.

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Navarre was a hidden gem for years. Not anymore.

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When was this? It’s pretty much what it’s been since about the 1970s.

Kind of isolated, nothing really on the island (at least in that area) as far as amenities, and limited lodging options.

They built like 2-3 high rise condo buildings about 25 years ago, but that really hasn’t done much to change the feel of the place outside of maybe the immediate vicinity of those.

Went to Navarre in 2021 and me and the wife loved it. Shorter drive, much cheaper and way less crowded. Sat next to the same elderly couple on the beach 3 days in a row. We could look both directions down the beach and count all the people we saw on our hands. Rode down to the pier daily to see Sea Turtles and Dolphins and see if anyone was catching anything. The kids like Sandestin and 30A because they like the crowds and can meet other young people. That's not going to happen in Navarre unless you set up right alongside the pier.

Just got back from a few days there. We brought food and cooked in the rental condo. If we'd wanted to leave the island Sunday from 3pm to 10pm, it would have taken 20 min to get to the bridge. Monday and Tuesday were fine though. Beautiful beach and light crowds for a Memorial Day.

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We go to Navarre every year for Thanksgiving.

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My family has been going to Navarre for the week of Thanksgiving since before I was born in 1990. Its really a great week to go as costs are way down, there is barely anyone there, and unless you are unlucky, its in the 70's during the day and sometimes even the 80's. Navarre looks pretty similar to what it did many years ago especially when you compare it to how built up places like gulf shores and destin have gotten. If you want a bunch of things to do/places to eat then I would go elsewhere but if you want quiet and good beaches at a good cost then Navarre is awesome for that.

Went to the cape about 7 or 8 years ago and man has that place gotten expensive and not necessarily crowded but completely booked up.