[kgeiser]

I know there are a million threads for this area, but I didn't feel they answered my question. It's offical as of 8 a.m. My hubby just accepted a job offer for a company Hq out of Mobile. He will not need to go into the office often, mostly out in the field on certain projects. We are a one income family with a newborn. Spanish Fort is very comparable to Southlake here in Texas, but not sure we will be able to afford a home there (another research project). What's a good area that's not too rual (don't want to drive an hour to the store). But not too suburbia (where you are on top of your neighbors and all their crap) to live comfortably and raise a family. Until next summer he will unfortunatlly be driving to Selma a lot and after that project, it will be Orange Beach for over a year. Your input will be greatly appreciated for a Midwesterner and her family in Texas over 30 years moving to Alabama. I've read A LOT of your posts and look forward to yall replying to my thread!

[southernnaturelover]

Maybe some of the newer subdivisions in Satsuma or Saraland, should be cheaper than Spanish Fort. You could also look in the Semmes area northwest of Mobile, there are also some newer communities there that are pretty good.

[Keeper]

Since your DH will be working in Orange Beach later, I wouldn't buy anything until he is working in that area.

If I were you I would rent first. I would check out Loxley. You will be near Hwy59 which goes directly to I65, although I believe Hwy 43 would be closer so Satsuma/Saraland would be the place to live if he goes that route..

[Okiefrombama]

Loxley sounds likes it would be the best place for your family. They recently built some new apartments farther out in Loxley and Robertsdale, and their rent is very reasonable.

My roommate back in college was from Flower Mound; and from what I've heard, you won't have a problem living on the Eastern Shore. I'm not a total expert on this, but you will probably not find the same size of house in the Mobile metro that you would in Southlake for the same price. Overall the biggest difference for me (after four years in Oklahoma) has been the gas prices. After living in the Midwest, things can feel a little more expensive in other parts of the country.

Daphne and Fairhope are booming right now, so groceries and the like won't be too far away. You might actually like to live in Daphne or Fairhope. Daphne's homes (sprawl-wise) aren't on top of each other as much as they are in the Dallas suburbs. It takes around 30 minutes to get to downtown Mobile from Daphne. (It takes about 20 minutes if you're closer to the interstate.)

Other than that, I welcome you to Alabama. It is a nice place to live, and I would highly recommend it to anyone from Dallas!