Dothan or Mobile area? (Fairhope, Jackson: home, work, universities)

[TootsieWootsie]

Am a very active 60ish gal, single and looking, who is seeking a great place to live. I have been doing homework on Mobile and now Dothan--two very good retirement type places.
In Mobile you have Baldwin County, which is loaded with geezers and lots to do. Midtown sounds fun, also. Mobile is close to Biloxi, New Orleans (a fav), and Florida cities and beaches.
In Dothan, you have less crime and closer to Tallahassee and it's university. Also, Dothan seems to be hurricane free, which is a big plus.
Any suggestions as to which city would be more appropriate for a very active older single lady?

[downtowndoll]

I would pick the Eastern Shore(Fairhope, specifically) or Midtown Mobile.

Dothan would not be hurricane-free exactly, because usually the tornados hit those places. That's the worst of it, except for possible storm surge which is only if it occurs at high tide and then along the coast.
I would much rather be in Mobile than in the path of a hurricane further north, unless it was a CAT 4 or CAT 5. Remember too it's winds up to the speed they talk about. That doesn't mean it's continual wind of 75 miles per hour, just some intermittent gusts.
Case in point: my sister-in-law (about 30 min. south of Jackson,MS) was without power for 3 weeks after Katrina. I live in Midtown Mobile- ours was about a week. It's not that bad; actually kinda fun because we all have time to hang out as neighbors for a few days. Mobile is on the bay but we are actually about 30 miles up from the typical landfall areas,unless it actually hits through the Bay.

My mom retired here to Fairhope, and she loves it. She's single and about 64.
She immediately became involved in all kinds of things volunteer wise. She's cute(but not one of those thin types by any means) but even had several guys fighting over her! And she was the one who got rid of the ones she didn't want! Not trying to get your hopes up, but that's her experience.

I think most people would probably prefer living over there than in Midtown, although there are plenty of active seniors here. Some of whom lived over there for a while and then moved back.

The reason people prefer the Eastern Shore is that a lot of people, all ages, just aren't comfortable with living in an urban environment.

Most people, like my mom, want to keep their door unlocked, etc. and not have to worry at all.

I know Dothan is lovely,but I just don't see how it could compare with a vibrant city/area like the Mobile Bay area. There are many opportunities for volunteering here and getting involved. There are big art communities in both Mobile and Fairhope. Good luck and let us know what you decided.

[downtowndoll]

Mobile has several universities and colleges: Spring Hill College, University of South Alabama, University of Mobile, and Faulkner State.

[Keeper]

I have to go with Fairhope too. I love it there. I would have moved there if my daughter hadn't moved to N. AL