Moving from Minneapolis to Mobile, (Gadsden, Gulf Shores: homes, casinos, living in)

[msjess0125]

Awww come on u buncha sour*****s.

I agree with the poster who mentioned that any place is what you make it.

I guess I disagree with the negative comments because I moved here from Tampa which, to me, is the nastiest city in the southeast by far.

Poster, OBVIOUSLY, its all relative. Someone moving from say, Flint Michigan might think Mobile is Disneyworld. Someone moving from San Francisco might think Mobile is quaint, yet lacking in diversity.

Personally, I think parts of it are scary and gross and parts of it are gorgeous. Yes I said gorgeous. Architecturally and otherwise.
I think the people here are pretty ignorant and the school system is failing them. But honestly, every AMERICAN school system is failing them, we are generally lagging behind most other industrialized nations. Its up to us as PARENTS to supplement our childrens educations no matter where we choose to raise them. The job market is pretty lame if you want to do anything creative but if you are in Healthcare you can make some bank. Housing is cheap. There are many little festivals and such that people actually take advantage of, and anyone who doesnt is a fool. Mardi Gras, the international festival, the greek festival, the fairhope arts and crafts fair are all great. Mobile is a city that really gives a crap about its culture as a city.

I am a mom. I have three kids. I am in an interracial marriage. I am a restaurant developer. And I CHOSE Mobile.

You have your own reasons and priorities for living somewhere, dont let miserable people sway YOUR choices.

I wanted to move to Tampa because when I was there I was in South Tampa and it was a pretty day and i thought "wow what a lovely city"
I have traveled much and have not been to a nastier, seedier town. Garbage everywhere, potholes everywhere, stripclubs next to your local mcdonalds, child sex trafficking, two sex festivals (which is alright when u are single) a giant sprawl of a city, nothing but chain restaurants, no local color. The place was just NOT for me.

anywho, just another perspective. Every place is what u make of it.

[Keikis]

If you can handle a commute, look at the Eastern Shore which is (obviously) east across I-10 over the bride. Daphne and Fairhope are lovely and closer to the beaches of Gulf Shores and Pensacola, FL. Fairhope is a very nice little artists community with a lovely downtown area. Daphne is a little farther north. Both are safe areas with better schools than Mobile in general.

[bamaboomer]

Mobile is not for young singles. It is better for families who want to go to the same school and church forever. Mobile is not Fairhope. Fairhope is great for age 40 and up. It is the carmel of the south. But, it is the south.

[DreamWeavin]

funny that you agree with the poster who mentioned any place is what you make it; then you go on to trash Tampa.......hmmmmmmm....

Well I am a native Mobilian so I feel I have the right to diss the city if I want to and I want to. Mobile is dirty and crowded and tax payers $$$ are lining the pockets of fat politicians who don't give a damn about the state of the city. There IS a reason this city(let alone the entire state) ranks 50th in just about every conceivable poll ever made.
And in so far as Mardi Gras goes I think everyone involved in it should be ashamed of themselves for spending the millions they do while so many people are hungry and homeless. Just one year I would like for these crewes to donate the money instead of spending it on the liquor,floats,food, and all and see how many people actually benefit from it. And before you go and ask if I give to the needy-you betcha.
The power bills here are out of sight and the insurance rates and no one steps in to do a thing about it. Never mind that the state taxes are no doubt the highest in the nation. And yet this city has streets still not paved, the ones paved are falling apart. The most exciting thing to do is go to WalMart or Barnes and Nobles or the library. Unless one finds it exciting to check out the many various parts of the city that indeed have prostitutes standing around, or the bars downtown..........
And don't even get me started on the schools........
No worries though.......I am moving and will never ever come back.

Originally Posted by msjess0125

Awww come on u buncha sour*****s.

I agree with the poster who mentioned that any place is what you make it.

I guess I disagree with the negative comments because I moved here from Tampa which, to me, is the nastiest city in the southeast by far.

Poster, OBVIOUSLY, its all relative. Someone moving from say, Flint Michigan might think Mobile is Disneyworld. Someone moving from San Francisco might think Mobile is quaint, yet lacking in diversity.

Personally, I think parts of it are scary and gross and parts of it are gorgeous. Yes I said gorgeous. Architecturally and otherwise.
I think the people here are pretty ignorant and the school system is failing them. But honestly, every AMERICAN school system is failing them, we are generally lagging behind most other industrialized nations. Its up to us as PARENTS to supplement our childrens educations no matter where we choose to raise them. The job market is pretty lame if you want to do anything creative but if you are in Healthcare you can make some bank. Housing is cheap. There are many little festivals and such that people actually take advantage of, and anyone who doesnt is a fool. Mardi Gras, the international festival, the greek festival, the fairhope arts and crafts fair are all great. Mobile is a city that really gives a crap about its culture as a city.

I am a mom. I have three kids. I am in an interracial marriage. I am a restaurant developer. And I CHOSE Mobile.

You have your own reasons and priorities for living somewhere, dont let miserable people sway YOUR choices.

I wanted to move to Tampa because when I was there I was in South Tampa and it was a pretty day and i thought "wow what a lovely city"
I have traveled much and have not been to a nastier, seedier town. Garbage everywhere, potholes everywhere, stripclubs next to your local mcdonalds, child sex trafficking, two sex festivals (which is alright when u are single) a giant sprawl of a city, nothing but chain restaurants, no local color. The place was just NOT for me.

anywho, just another perspective. Every place is what u make of it.

[jetsjoe]

Northern Exposure-

I totally agree with your remark on Mari Gras. I never thought of it that way before. There are 37 million Americans who do not get enough to eat.

That is shameful!

[Twostep]

I grew up in a place with all four seasons - snow from October through May. After years all over The South I still do not have an issue with heat or humidity. My husband grew up here and he suffers as soon as the temperature reaches my comfort level.

The way some of you talk about Mobile and Baldwin County - the highways are open. You can leave. Make room for those who enjoy it here.

[jetsjoe]

Oh believe me, I spend as little time in Baldwin Redneck Co as possible. The only reason I would go there is my father in law has a second home on the beach. It makes me ill everytime I have to drive though places like Silverhill, Robertsdale, Summerdale, Loxley. These poverty stricken rural redneck towns are awful.

I'm just not into that rural middle of nowhere, trailor homes, restaurants that look no cleanier then a public restroom and pickup trucks that fill the roads from pre 1975. There is a Dollar General every mile on Hwy. 59 But I guess being in those poor town it's not like there are professionals bringing in six figures. Ever see the classifieds? It is pathetic.

[Ankhharu]

Growing up 20 minutes from Mobile, I made my first trip back there last year since high school. I was warned that it had gotten bad, but seeing so many rough places in my travels, I just laughed...until I arrived. I hate to say it but Mobile has gone down the toilet. Crime is rampant and should be nowhere as bad as it is right now. I really have no words to describe some of the areas that I drove through, other than disappointment.

[Utopian]

Perhaps you've already moved. Hope by now that you've checked out Fairhope and the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County.

No snow, beautiful greenery year-round, many opportunities to really get involved in the arts/politics/whatever or simply enjoy doing your own thing. An individualist's utopia.

I don't get to Mobile as often as I should but enjoy it when I do go there. As with anyplace in the U.S., you do need to be aware of your surroundings. But that's coming from a former Chicagoan!

Hope you're having a great life, wherever you decided to go.

All the best. Hope you find your personal utopia, like we did.

[motherdestiny]

I lived in Mobile for 23 years before I moved to California. Sure it's hot, but the humidity is great for your complexion. Honestly most people these days have air conditioning in their cars, homes and even their workplaces. It's not that big of a deal. I would absolutely recommend West Mobile, namely Semmes or Wilmer. It's a little farther away from the downtown area but alot safer and it is really developing fast so you won't feel like your totally isolated. I own land in Wilmer and intend to retire there when I'm older. Even my city born husband from the San Francisco area loves it there. Good luck and happy house hunting!