Moving to Mobile area (Daphne, Jackson: real estate, rentals, how much)

[mstess]

Does anyone know a good place to rent in Mobile?

[breer23]

Need a little more info than that: where will you work? have a family? how much can you afford to spend?

[Port_of_Bama]

where do you plan to work and i can help you from there ?

[ginger44]

I have the same question - my husband was just offered a job in the SW(?) part of town, between Cottage Hill and Three Notch Rd a couple miles from I10.

There's just the 2 of us (no kids, early 30s) and our dogs and we were wanting to rent a 3br house. We don't need to be close to work, just as long as the commute is reasonable, so we're wanting to know where the 'cool' parts of town are to live that aren't too expensive, but close to things to do.

Also, where's the best places to look for rentals? There are a few on Craigslist, but not many. Any other suggestions?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. We've never been there before, so will probably be driving there this weekend to check out the place and see about rentals. While I'm at it - any places that are must-see/do while we are out there? Any favorite restaurants?

Thanks!

[southernnaturelover]

Check out the Mobile Press Register online. Something near Demotropolis Rd or Knollwood Dr would be convenient for you.

[Bama`s Port]

CottageHill Rd & Grelot Rd area would be nice, I love midtown and suggest that you take allok around midtown & Downtown(Dedonti) a just cruise Government Street and Dauphin street is pretty cool as well.


If you love seafood try Wintzills Oyster house thats downtown or AirPort blvd location

Original Oyster House, Felix Fish Camp and other seafood places on the casueway headed downtown.

NOJA- which is located downtown on North Jackson street nice place to eat has North Jackson street has ethiopian/african-european mix of food and cajun as well.

Dauphin street downtown has -Picklefish, Spot of Tea,Cafe 615, Cafe Royale,Royal Scam, Martinis,and a nice Jappanese spot on Dauphin aslo.

Mobile ahs so many great places to eat I can`t name them all but when you move here try-Boiling pot,Gone fishin,Butch Cassidy`s,Foosackly`s,True(a must),Gran Pa Woo( dinner yackt cruise on the bay),Billotis,Pillars ans others !

[arboc]

ginger44,

When we were looking for a rental when we came down here, we just asked our real estate agent about it and they Moderator cut: name had several that they owned and rented out. I'm sure that other agents do the same thing. I'm also sure that there are several houses for rent in that huge neighborhood on Hillcrest just south of Cottage Hill Road.

A good thing about that part of town is that it is easy to cut over to Dauphin Island Pkwy and spend some time at the beach on Dauphin Island. Some of my favorite restaurants in that area are Wintzell's Oyster House (get the West Indies Salad), Gambino Brothers Italian, Sabor A Mexico, Big Time Diner (you have to try the seafood gumbo), Big Time Burger, Konnnitiwa Japanese, Mars Hill Cafe, Jerusalem Cafe, Mediterranean Cafe (Abba's) and Brick Pit BBQ. Of course, the seafood restaurants on the causeway are a must, we really liked Ed's. They have the best cole slaw and their buffalo shrimp are really good. There are really so many good restaurants here that it's just crazy.

[southernnaturelover]

I used to eat at Big Time Diner on Cottage Hill Rd all the time when I lived in Mobile. It's always crowded, but the food is very good and at a reasonable price.

[ginger44]

Wow! Thanks, everyone for the suggestions! I'm really excited to move there after seeing how much everyone loves the place and how many great restaurants there are!

I checked the Mobile Press Register online for rentals and will be making some calls, and I'll also look into contacting a real estate agent regarding rentals.

Arboc - can you PM me your real estate agent's info? We need to sell our house here before we buy there, but it would be nice to know of a good agent when the time comes.

I'm looking up all these places and mapping them out on google maps, so we know where to go when we get there. Thanks again everyone for all the suggestions - I'm so excited to get there!

[downtowndoll]

Originally Posted by ginger44

I have the same question - my husband was just offered a job in the SW(?) part of town, between Cottage Hill and Three Notch Rd a couple miles from I10.

There's just the 2 of us (no kids, early 30s) and our dogs and we were wanting to rent a 3br house. We don't need to be close to work, just as long as the commute is reasonable, so we're wanting to know where the 'cool' parts of town are to live that aren't too expensive, but close to things to do.

Also, where's the best places to look for rentals? There are a few on Craigslist, but not many. Any other suggestions?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. We've never been there before, so will probably be driving there this weekend to check out the place and see about rentals. While I'm at it - any places that are must-see/do while we are out there? Any favorite restaurants?

Thanks!

As long as the work is close to I-10, definitely consider the Midtown or even downtown area, both are filled with mostly historic districts. I never realized until I moved from West Mobile to Midtown just what a great location it is since it is easier/faster to access I-10. I am only 10 minutes away from the Eastern Shore Center across the Bayway; then, it is only 6-8 minutes to the mall at I-65. There is also a little shopping area in Daphne right off the bridge 6 minutes away by Bayway.

Lots of people walking dogs, jogging , and walking. Not many kids in downtown areas like De Tonti (lots to rent there) and Church St. East Historic Districts,but they are great.

This weekend, first stop in at the free information center which is in Fort Conde', a reproduction of a 1720's fort. They should have a map of the historic districts. Also Bay City Tours does a guided van tour (you have to reserve with the Fort and it leaves from the fort) at 10:30 a.m. of some of the historic districts. It used to be $10 per person for an hour. I bet it's $15 now. Good overview. I've been on it about 7 years ago- I think it is a must-do.
Alternatively, you can do a FREE 20 minute downtown loop on the MODA. Look for the green umbrellas. It will take you through some of Church St. East Historic District and then down Dauphin Street. Why not hop off at Cathedral Square and try one of the restaurants in that area? I like Spot of Tea. The MODA doesn't run on Sundays, though.

Then drive in your car downDauphin Street east of I-65 and East of Florida Street. You'll probably find For Lease signs on some of these streets around Murphy High School: South Street, Carlen St., Fulton St. , Mohawk,Glenwood ,those areas. This area will be perfect for you to begin. Remember to stay in between Government Street to the South and for the most part Spring Hill Avenue to the North. Florida Street to the West and S. Ann St. to the East That is not a hard and fast boundary at all, but should help you this weekend.

Oakleigh Garden District is just south of Government Street between Broad St.(where downtown begins) and S. Ann Street. This is a great area (where I live) and has a very close neighborhood association. Great, great people and a wide variety of people. There are a LOT of children here. On just my street of about 4 blocks, we have 48 children. And I'm not even counting the college age ones.

You may at first have to rent around the University of South Alabama around University Blvd. My brother's friends had to do that because they couldn't find anything in Midtown at first. Gave them time to find a great house in Silverwood off Old Shell Road.
Another good place could be north of Government St. across from Skyline Country Club. Lots of ranch type homes that may be rentals. I don't really know anyone in those areas, though. But the homes are kept up so that's a good sign! This would be another easy access area to I-65 and I-10.