Moving from Minneapolis to Mobile, (Daphne, Fairhope: apartments, to rent, condos)

[mayflowermn]

Hello,

I am planning on moving from Minneapolis MN to Mobile in the next month or so. I guess I am wondering what to expect, ie what is Mobile like?

I will be renting for a while so I am wondering what are neighborhoods to avoid or what parts of Mobile are not that safe.

I am looking forward to the warmer temps, but am really unsure as to what to expect.

Any insight/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

Donna

[MGBJR]

Donna,
You will want to rent either in West Mobile or if you like the artsy, laid back crowd, seek out Midtown (historic district).
The best part about Mobile to me is the geographical location to the fishing, hunting, and water. If you are not into the outdoors, but are into the arts you may be somewhat satisfied (I'm not into the arts, thus, I spend most of my time fishing and hunting; I am female). We are close to New Orleans (which may or may not float your boat; lots of changes, but still glorious city).
Negatives: The red lights are way too long, people run red lights, lots of accidents and deaths on the roads, highways, and in the tunnel going to the Eastern Shore (Fairhope, Daphne, etc.). Some very smart folks within the city, yet I think we have way to many folks on welfare who take advantage of the system. The school system pretty much sucks, so look for a private school if you have children (I am an educator, I know these things).
When it comes down to it, the city in which you choose to live will be as good or as bad as you and your attitude makes it. If it doesn't sound like it, I really do like Mobile very, very much, but I make sure that I do a lot of fishing and camping out to get away from the city. I also have a place in Idaho to run to.
MGBJR

[DreamWeavin]

Originally Posted by mayflowermn

Hello,

I am planning on moving from Minneapolis MN to Mobile in the next month or so. I guess I am wondering what to expect, ie what is Mobile like?

I will be renting for a while so I am wondering what are neighborhoods to avoid or what parts of Mobile are not that safe.

I am looking forward to the warmer temps, but am really unsure as to what to expect.

Any insight/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

Donna

oh my, I'm not sure I can give many if any good points. The weather is extremely hot and humid at least 10 months of the year. When it rains-it pours along with lightening and tornados. The area is over crowded; more so since Hurricane Katrina last year which brought in people from neighboring states. The roadways are ill equipped to handle the number of cars on the road. Lately what used to be a 20 minute commute to anywhere has become almost an hour. It is fairly common to have a 5-6 light wait at most redlights.Then there is the constant and real threat of hurricanes from June-October. The crime rate is so bad that I woudn't now even know where to recommend you look for a place to live. Wherever you do live make sure you have protection in whatever form you prefer or are allowed by law. Read the statistics for Mobile and you'll find the city ranks pretty near 50th in important issues. I think it's a cess pool myself and am moving very soon. The un-employment rate is high and I attribute that to the fact that minimum wage here is $5.15 an hour so those who are un-employed probably find being so an advantage. The school system is disgraceful. Trash and garbage are plentiful alongside the roads. Most take no pride in the city and what trash isn't in the roads is in people's yards-old cars,junk,etc Possible things to do list might include:bowling,movies,boating if you like those things and passing by a Walmart shopping center and seeing the parking lots filled with cars at all hours pretty much tells you that folks spend a lot of time there. Mobile is full of old money people and while it may boasts of southern hospitality the bottom line is old money(names) rule as do Republicans. Democrats keep pretty quiet in my opinion. There is a church on every corner if you're interested. This is the heart of Dixie and the heart of the Bible Belt.
So back to your question about where to live-I suggest anywhere but Mobile. If however your heart is set on Mobile and if so I really have to ask-why??; then I would make sure to check you the neighborhoods at various times of the day and night. Possibly speak with residents of the areas you decide to look into. IF you do move here be very careful when out alone. Lock your car immediately when you get in. While pumping gas make sure you watch your surroundings. Not trying to scare you but do want yu to be aware: Mobile is NOT a safe,clean or fun city.

[JRA2000TL]

Originally Posted by northernexposure

oh my, I'm not sure I can give many if any good points. The weather is extremely hot and humid at least 10 months of the year. When it rains-it pours along with lightening and tornados. The area is over crowded; more so since Hurricane Katrina last year which brought in people from neighboring states. The roadways are ill equipped to handle the number of cars on the road. Lately what used to be a 20 minute commute to anywhere has become almost an hour. It is fairly common to have a 5-6 light wait at most redlights.Then there is the constant and real threat of hurricanes from June-October. The crime rate is so bad that I woudn't now even know where to recommend you look for a place to live. Wherever you do live make sure you have protection in whatever form you prefer or are allowed by law. Read the statistics for Mobile and you'll find the city ranks pretty near 50th in important issues. I think it's a cess pool myself and am moving very soon. The un-employment rate is high and I attribute that to the fact that minimum wage here is $5.15 an hour so those who are un-employed probably find being so an advantage. The school system is disgraceful. Trash and garbage are plentiful alongside the roads. Most take no pride in the city and what trash isn't in the roads is in people's yards-old cars,junk,etc Possible things to do list might include:bowling,movies,boating if you like those things and passing by a Walmart shopping center and seeing the parking lots filled with cars at all hours pretty much tells you that folks spend a lot of time there. Mobile is full of old money people and while it may boasts of southern hospitality the bottom line is old money(names) rule as do Republicans. Democrats keep pretty quiet in my opinion. There is a church on every corner if you're interested. This is the heart of Dixie and the heart of the Bible Belt.
So back to your question about where to live-I suggest anywhere but Mobile. If however your heart is set on Mobile and if so I really have to ask-why??; then I would make sure to check you the neighborhoods at various times of the day and night. Possibly speak with residents of the areas you decide to look into. IF you do move here be very careful when out alone. Lock your car immediately when you get in. While pumping gas make sure you watch your surroundings. Not trying to scare you but do want yu to be aware: Mobile is NOT a safe,clean or fun city.

I totally agree. I'm moving to Dallas in January as a matter of fact. I have been to Minneapolis and I'll tell you what.....I'll take your cold weather over this humidity and heat here anytime. Walk out to your mailbox and in less than 5 min. you're covered in sweat. I'll take the snow thanks! (as long as I have a heated garage!)

As for areas to live...depends on your attitude and your likes. West Mobile and Daphne will be like your Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and any newer burbs in the MSP area. Midtown is artsy farty with older houses and a mixed crowd--be aware of spotty neighborhoods though...nice houses mixed with crappy ones. Our crime rate here sucks for the size city it is also. Be aware of the hurricane risk down here...one reason I'm moving. My philosophy is "snow will not flood and destroy homes to a slab" but hurricanes will. Find a place at least at elevation 50---try to get one at 100-200ft. that way you're out of the storm surge risk. West Mobile and Daphne are well elevated. Stay away from South of I-10...low-lying area and nothing of interest down there unless you like trailer parks or something, ha ha. If I could have moved to the North I would have, but I took what location the job offered me.

[Chris Bassett]

I have lived in Mobile 7 years and will be leaving in Dec. I have traveled and worked and lived in several cities and Etc. Mobile is the worst place I have ever lived or worked in, Crime is high schools are bad Goverment is rotten to the core. You have to live in West Mobile to be half way safe and rent and price of homes are out of sight.You would fare much better by going to Russia or Cuba. There is a FBI report that says Marion and Winston Counties of Northwest Al. Have lowest crime rare in nation. I'am from Marion County Al. and am going that way in Dec.06. We have A fastfood bandit on the loose here in Mobile and he has hit 14 fast food rest. in last two weeks. Banks are robbed each month and murder is common along with rape and home robbery.
The roads are all potholes the streets are nasty litter everwhere. If I had a choice to hang or stay in Mobile I would have to think hard and long on that one. If you do move to Mobile Buy a bulldog, chasity belt,couple of guns,car alarm,genarator, (After storms power is out for up to 3 weeks in hot weather if you leave window open at night you will wake up with throat cut)

[hrseacat]

After reading the replies to your post, I must wonder if you are even checking this forum anymore. I live in midtown Mobile. I absolutely love the historic homes. Downtown Mobile is at this point revitalizing, aiming to become a residential center as well as a historical tourist attraction. The architecture is gorgeous in this old (b. 1702) Southern town. If you love huge oak trees, you will find yourself right at home. Yes, Mobile has a lot of poverty and quite a bit of crime, but you must be aware that most of the crime occurs among people involved in heavy drugs, such as crack. There are certainly neighborhoods to be cautious of, however, I drive through them from time to time going to places and have had no incident. The media coverage of crime, as in most every place in our country, is focused on violent, drug-related crime usually perpetrated by African Americans. Unfortunately, we don't hear about the white collar crime that is probably impacting us more than we know (and certainly, for most people, much more than the crime among people addicted to crack). Mardi Gras is a great time--it originated in Mobile. Mobile has a lot of traditions; drinking is a big part of the culture here. Downtown nightlife has a fair amount of diversity--dance places, mellow places with an older crowd, and places where "the freaks" hang out. We are finally developing our riverfront. I really see great things on the horizon. From reading some of the earlier posts, I am actually hoping that people with such negative attitudes will choose to live elsewhere to make room for people wanting to celebrate Mobile's great potential! Hey--wanted to mention the white beaches very close by--especially as I am sure you are or will soon be experiencing white of a different sort: snow. We don't have that here! You can garden all year round, in fact. Well, I hope you consider the move still--there are good things and good people here.

[Chris Bassett]

Give me a break. Downtown Mobile is nothing but nasty looking bars and high crime rate and a haven for drug dealers. If you think Midtown Mobile is safe you must not read the crime report in local newspaper or watch five oclock news. If condos or apartments are built in downtown they will be full of drug dealer and high crime like so many others in the area. Mobile was a nice city years ago but that is gone for ever. People should tell the truth to others instead of trying to have them move into a city in this shape. Just look at FBI and city crime report for Mobile and that will set it all straight.

[mzlisamichelle]

I come from Tampa, and lived throughout small towns in Montana, North Dakota, Minisota and even north Florida most of my adult life. I recently moved from Mississippi (now there is a dirty place to live... ew). I have seen no "road trash" or trash laying abouts, even in the bad parts of town. All trash on the side of the road I have seen have been put there for pick up and is neatly piled or in bins. The only thing that sets me off is bars on the windows and doors in the ghetto. Even the ghetto, the streets are some what clean. I was suprized. I wouldn't recommend joy riding to view the sites through those areas. As far as downtown Mobile, the areas they are not working on are beautiful. The areas they are working on, constructions make it look a mess, but in time those areas will be beautiful too. Right now I live just outside the center of town. I heard of those fast food robberies, and I know just like any other town you have your break in's etc. Mobile to me is just as safe as any small town I have ever been in, just with the convience of shopping big city. I wouldn't recommend leaving doors unlocked, after all there is alot of people living here, just like any other town you get those hoodlums who make a bad name for everyone else. I hate the traffic but over all I love it here. Their hospitals are great too. Lots to do and see and so far everyone, except the one lady at the gas station in Tillman's Corner.. she was rude.. LOL , I have had the pleasure of meeting have treated me very friendly.
Mobile is what you make of it, so far my experiences have been good ones. I don't live in fear, and my kids go to a great school. Like all cities/towns you take the good with the bad, the more people who live in it, the more crime you will hear about.. but it doesn't mean it will happen to you.
According to this website: http://www.morganquitno.com/cit01safe.htm - Mobile ranked a 190 out of 322 (1 being best and 322 worst) cities in order of safest cities. (Dallas, TX as another member posted he was moving to.. ranked 303, which falls under the top 20 worst places to live). A 190 is somewhere close to middle, which to me spells out adverage.
I love it here in Mobile. and I hope you will too.

[manniecole]

I agree on the weather. Cold is better. But most rednecks here think 50 degress is freezing. It is unbelivable. They say things like "wow the winter we had". The heat is terrible! The humidity is really bad. You will feel filthy all the time.

[Bbluefish]

Mobile is where i grew up, & while I haven't visited very often in the last 5 years, I find it hard to believe that my port city has turned into this 3rd world country the other posters described!

Mobile is a fine,old southern city & as such, there is the part outsiders see & the part outsiders don't. You are simply a zip code ending in 08 or not. Now, don't think I'm a snob, I'm just being real. Living in 08 is somewhat like living in a more modern version of "Midnight in the garden of good & evil " complete with debutante parties, private school gossip, & never ending cocktail parties.

I encourage you to move to Mobile....it's 2 hours from the beautiful North Panhandle, 2 hours or so from New Orleans, & has the most delicious seafood of any southern city!!!