[Nlambert]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Look around the Summerdale-Robertsdale area (central Baldwin), those towns sort of run together along 59, right into Foley.

North Baldwin has cheaper real estate, but there's not much to do, Bay Minette is just your typical Southern small town, life revolves around WalMart.

On the plus side though.....


A quick drive to Mobile and to the beach. If you like casino's, it's only a hop, skip, and a jump from Windcreek also.




If I ever talk the wife into moving back to South Alabama (since we are huge beach people) we are going to either look at the Silver Hill area over from Robertsdale or possibly Summerdale.

[Saskia Calico]

Just keep in mind hurricane season. The Gulf Coast has been hit hard, a lot. (Of course you would get that in FL too ... )

I have visited Gulf Shores, but not Mobile; I lived in B'ham for several years and recently moved back to Atlanta. I want to retire to a place near the beach too but I am looking at the Georgia coast, ideally St Simon's. Very different from the AL Gulf Coast communities (not better, just different). My cousins retired to Panama City decades ago and apparently loved it.

I loved Gulf Shores when I vacationed there, it has been 30-odd years, but I thought it was a great place.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by Saskia Calico

Just keep in mind hurricane season. The Gulf Coast has been hit hard, a lot. (Of course you would get that in FL too ... )

I have visited Gulf Shores, but not Mobile; I lived in B'ham for several years and recently moved back to Atlanta. I want to retire to a place near the beach too but I am looking at the Georgia coast, ideally St Simon's. Very different from the AL Gulf Coast communities (not better, just different). My cousins retired to Panama City decades ago and apparently loved it.

I loved Gulf Shores when I vacationed there, it has been 30-odd years, but I thought it was a great place.

We really have been spared from hurricanes and have not really had a full blown impact since Katrina really ( knock on wood). The Atlantic Coast has experienced more hurrican drama than the Gulf Coast hasqithin the last 16 years.

[Nlambert]

I wouldn't let Hurricane season be a motivator to keep me from considering a move to Gulf Shores myself.....


Sure, there's always a possibility, but there are always weather conditions to contend with in just about any region of the US. The northeast has blizzards, west coast has earthquakes and drought, some parts of the midwest has drought, and the central plains see tornados. The east coast and gulf regions are more prone to seeing hurricanes than the other areas.


Just find somewhere you enjoy the most and know that there is always a possibility that at some point in the future, you may have to deal with a natural disaster (or maybe not) and be as prepared as you can be. Then enjoy it!

[Keeper]

Check out Fairhope too. Nice little town right on the bay. I love Summerdale and Silver Hill too. The only real down side IMO is during beach season there is a lot of traffic going and coming to the beach. Some of the best seafood anywhere is right there in LA (lower Alabama)

[censusdata]

I've vacationed several times in the Mobile / Gulf Shores area. Baldwin Co (east side of the bay) seems more touristy while Mobile Co seems more industrial. All of the towns already mentioned (Foley, Robertsdale, etc) seem like great places.

[OldDocKat]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Thank you! Y'all answered pretty quickly! I appreciate it, and I will be researching every suggestion.

Does anyone have any information about Dothan? I know it's a little further than my target distance, but it looks cute and so affordable!

Dothan has good services and plenty of restaurants. It is not much of a city for transplants, unless they are young families and will live here years. There are some nice neighborhoods, some fine homes are available for around 200K. If you are content to live without making many new friends, then Dothan would be fine for its services and easy living. Panama City is 80 miles away.

If you are looking for warm winters, then you are stuck with Florida, as the winters are much warmer from Tampa and south. Dothan does manage to avoid the effects of many freezing cold spells, which move east, and lose the chilling effect by the time they reach here.

Mobile is slightly more mild in winter, yet if you are looking for winter seasonal escape, south Florida is best.