[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by Mississippi Alabama Line

In this area, I think Pensacola may be your winner. Fairhope will be snobby. Maybe Foley, AL?

Coastal will give you a more laid back feel, but the cities have things going on.

Definitely not Pensacola. OP said no to roving bands of homeless people, which Pensacola is full of. I've never experienced Fairhope to be snobby.

Foley is not what the OP is looking for. Its downtown is tiny, and there's nothing remotely upscale until you start getting into Gulf Shores.

[Aquatique]

We'll definitely check out Fairhope. But I'm anticipating we won't be able to afford a home near downtown.

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by Aquatique

We'll definitely check out Fairhope. But I'm anticipating we won't be able to afford a home near downtown.

If Fairhope is too expensive, you might look a little north into Daphne. It does have a little downtown area "Olde Towne Daphne" and may be a good compromise.

[Aquatique]

Originally Posted by EscAlaMike

If Fairhope is too expensive, you might look a little north into Daphne. It does have a little downtown area "Olde Towne Daphne" and may be a good compromise.

Took a quick look at the homes for sale in Daphne and found several I like (at least the exteriors) at prices I like. Could be a good location, between Fairhope and Mobile which were both recommended.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Aquatique

Does not have to be coastal. Several of the FL areas we're interested in are far inland like Winter Park, Tallahassee, and a planned community in SW Gainesville called Haile Plantation. (I do realize there are colleges in those cities but we'll try to target parts of town where college kids don't really live and hang out.)

Husband is the main breadwinner and has worked from home / remote for many years.

Here is a more specific / detailed list of what we're looking for:

- Want a neighborhood that feels established, peaceful, and classy but not snobby.

- Near a downtown area but not one dominated by 20somethings. Want a downtown that is bigger than just a block or two.

- Would love to live in a neighborhood that feels a little hidden away / under the radar.

- Want our home to be within 3 miles of a good grocery store like Publix, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's. Would also love to have a seafood market somewhat nearby.

- Good restaurants with a variety of different cuisines.

- We'd really like to find a decent value when we buy a home. Open to single family or attached units like a townhome but prefer not a multi floor condo complex. Max budget for purchase would be $600,000 but would really be a lot happier to stay under $500,000. I am picky about architecture / home style but I won't go into detail on that.

- If it's too big-city with traffic noise and crime stories on the news every day I'll feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. If it's too small town I'll feel claustrophobic and unsatisfied.

Well, that narrows it down considerably. There are only two places in Alabama that have Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, those being Huntsville and Birmingham (area). Publix stores are ubiquitous, and if you're in a decent sized city you'll likely be within 3 miles of one (There's one 1.5 miles north of me, and another 1.5 miles south of me). I don't know about fish markets, but I would assume the closer to the coast you are, the better you are in that regard.

$500K will get you a pretty decent house pretty much anywhere in Alabama, as long as you stay away from very exclusive neighborhoods.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Well, that narrows it down considerably. There are only two places in Alabama that have Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, those being Huntsville and Birmingham (area). Publix stores are ubiquitous, and if you're in a decent sized city you'll likely be within 3 miles of one (There's one 1.5 miles north of me, and another 1.5 miles south of me). I don't know about fish markets, but I would assume the closer to the coast you are, the better you are in that regard.

$500K will get you a pretty decent house pretty much anywhere in Alabama, as long as you stay away from very exclusive neighborhoods.

There is a Trader Joe’s in Pensacola.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by Mississippi Alabama Line

There is a Trader Joe’s in Pensacola.

I wish but it's not it would be closer.

[PortCity]

I think Daphne would be your best bet as far as proximity . You have options within 45 minutes such as Pensacola,Fairhope, Mobile,and Ocean Springs. They all have that old world character and historic fabric.Fairhope's downtown has the least historic feel to it shockingly,but it s a younger city than the other ones mentioend. Downtown Ocean Springs felt like a mini downtown Mobile

Downtown Mobile has a far larger foot print than the others with a decent skyline for it's metro size. There are some really beautiful charming neighborhoods within walking distance. Such as DeTonti (Mobile's oldest surviving neighborhood) Church Street East, Oakliegh Historic districts, and Fort Conde Village

So for proximity to visit other downtowns I would say Daphne but Mobile has the most historic housing stock and neighborhoods with Pensacola being a close second. The difference is that Pensacola's historic neighborhoods don't run into it's downtown the way Mobile does.

Another thing I noticed, Ibelieve Mobile may have the most squares within walking distance.They all have post card ready sceneries. Mardi Gras Park Sqaure, British Park Square, Bienville Square, Cathedral Square,Washington Square, and another one I can't think of.

[PortCity]

As far as Huntsville they have a nice downtown and it has bits of historic charm but not similar to the Gulf Coast.I wouldn't rule it out because it maybe what you are looking for. I don't remember it's historic neighborhoods running into it's downtown the way Mobile or some what the way Pensacola does.My favorite part of Huntsville was Twickenham I use to ride through thst neighborhood when I was home sick living in Huntsville. I don't think you could walk from it and be directly into their downtown foot print. I could be wrong it's been years since I lived there though.

[JoeJunior]

Sounds as if you'd like to live in Franklin, Tennessee--where so many music stars and movie stars walk the streets. Justin Timberlake, Kathy Lee Crosby, Nicolle Kidman liked it so well they moved there.