Mobile maybe? (Prichard, Saraland, Valley: apartments, rental, crime)

[051873pi]

Hi everyone, looking for some info. I may be relocating this summer for work, either to Mobile or Gulfport/Biloxi (this is crossposted there).

I’m looking for info on what areas to avoid living in. I’ve looked at the crime maps, but they only tell you so much; I think the locals have a much better grasp of what is going on.

I’ll mostly be working from home, so I don’t have to live in any specific area. My budget will be $700 per month, but would like to stay as far under that as possible (between $500-600 ideally). It can be an apartment or a house. I don’t need to live in an upscale area, but don’t want to live in the ghetto either.

What are your recommendations for areas to avoid, to areas to consider? Thanks in advance!

[Surge0001]

Not gonna lie your gonna struggle finding a place that low, maybe a studio, but that'll be it. Anyways as places to consider and avoid, My first place consideration would be Downtown, very walkable, lots to do, endless amounts of restaurants, lots of events, etc, etc. Next would Midtown, west of downtown. very walkable and very safe. The rest of the innercity I would avoid. A lot of the areas are going through gentrification but are like 15-20 years from being Midtown.


Now, Avoid Dauphin Island Parkway Corridor within the City. The corridor outside the City is pretty good. The entire Airport Boulevard Corridor is relatively safe, but traffic in most of it is absolutely awful, but is a good place to find apartments. Just avoid the city of Prichard. City of Chickasaw is ehh could be better if it was walkable, but is in a flood zone. City of Saraland is one of the safest cities in the county and another good place to look for Apartments. Semmes is also a good city, but not sure what they offer in terms of apartments. Satsuma is apparently the safest city in the county (which kinda shocked me when I read about not too long ago) also not sure about apartments and renting and stuff.
Another good bet is West Mobile, lots of apartment, safe area, but traffic is also brutal.
City of Bayou La Batre, just avoid, for multiple reasons. Irvington and Grand Bay are excellent places to settle down if you're not a fan of urban living, but of course not places that are for rent.
Avoid Theodore, right along the Mobile city limits.
Tilman's Corner in Mobile is a so-so place to live, However the area is probably among the fastest growing in jobs in the county right now. All the amenities you are gonna need just minutes away and traffic is very managable

[051873pi]

I very much appreciate your input Surge. I've only lightly glanced at the rental situation - most seemed between $500-700 for a 1/1, and only a little more for a 2 or 3 BR house, so I presumed that would be about average. I don't mind living out of the city limits, so you've given some good areas to look into. I do background screenings, so I mostly work from home but sometimes I have to go out and speak with family members, neighbors, co-workers, etc in person so I could also be anywhere as needed.


You mentioned the Airport Blvd corridor as being ok; would that include the Government St. area also?

[Surge0001]

Originally Posted by 051873pi

I very much appreciate your input Surge. I've only lightly glanced at the rental situation - most seemed between $500-700 for a 1/1, and only a little more for a 2 or 3 BR house, so I presumed that would be about average. I don't mind living out of the city limits, so you've given some good areas to look into. I do background screenings, so I mostly work from home but sometimes I have to go out and speak with family members, neighbors, co-workers, etc in person so I could also be anywhere as needed.


You mentioned the Airport Blvd corridor as being ok; would that include the Government St. area also?

Depends on which part of Government Street you are mentioning, that particular road has it all. The artieral road for Midtown, Theodore, and Tilman’s corner and Downtown. Government Street at the city limits is a no go where Theodore is, but once you reach Tilman’s Corner it’s workable, between Tilman’s Corner and Midtown is VERY hit or miss. You could be in a great neighborhood and walk the block over and it’ll be in a ghetto. You eventually reach Midtown and Downtown

[051873pi]

Originally Posted by Surge0001

Depends on which part of Government Street you are mentioning, that particular road has it all. The artieral road for Midtown, Theodore, and Tilman’s corner and Downtown. Government Street at the city limits is a no go where Theodore is, but once you reach Tilman’s Corner it’s workable, between Tilman’s Corner and Midtown is VERY hit or miss. You could be in a great neighborhood and walk the block over and it’ll be in a ghetto. You eventually reach Midtown and Downtown

Apparently it is technically Government Blvd, in the Pleasant Valley area. I have looked at some listings in Midtown Mobile as well as Downtown Mobile also.

[Surge0001]

Yea it is but all of us just call it government or Highway 90. I would also recommend Midtown and Downtown because you won’t have to fight traffic or parking for Mardi Gras

[051873pi]

What are your thoughts on the Washington Square/Oakdale areas, just SW of downtown?

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by 051873pi

What are your thoughts on the Washington Square/Oakdale areas, just SW of downtown?

I wouldn't have any issues living in Washington Square. Callaghan's is a great neighborhood hang out.

That's a neighborhood that can vary greatly from street to street though...Generally I would say further north and west (speaking within Washington Sq) is better...

Oakdale I wouldn't recommend...

[evlb401]

I lived in that neighborhood for several years before moving to Old Dauphin Way. I liked it. Wife and I would walk downtown and our home was one block from the parade routes. It was really fun. We always talk about how fun it was living there.

[051873pi]

I appreciate everyone's input so far. I can't believe it has been three weeks since I posted this. I've spent the last several weeks doing as much research as I can, and I'm still trying to figure it out. I did see a recent YT video about Mobile, AL hoods, so that helped some. At this point, I think it is best if I just inquire about specific areas where I am looking at rental properties.


Any input on the following areas?


Spring Hill Avenue near Upham St./N. Florida St areas.


Government St. & Michigan Ave.


Government St. & Marine St.


S. Washington Ave. & New Jersey St.



Mt. Island Dr. W & S. Florida St.


Azalea Rd. in Greenwich Hills


Old Shell Rd. near N. University Blvd.


Thanks in advance!