Moving to Mobile Aug 2nd (apartments, rent, homeowners insurance)

[DKaye75]

My wife and I are moving to Mobile at the end of this month. I recently accepted a position at the University of South Alabama, but due to the time crunch, we'll be picking out a place to live over the internet. Does anyone have any suggestions?

We've done some looking on Craigslist, but haven't had much success. Ideally we're looking for a duplex or a townhouse with 2 bedrooms. Our price range is $600-$750. We've heard the midtown area is a nice place to look, and we think it will be a good fit since we don't yet know where my wife will be working. If we end up too close to the USA campus, she might end up with a long commute.

Anyway, we're really just looking for suggestions from anyone familiar with Mobile. What are some things you would've liked to have known before you moved there? Also, are there any good places for her to look for a job? She's got a bachelor's degree and three years of experience as a newspaper reporter, but she's willing to get out of the field if necessary. She would like to continue writing in some capacity if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[oscottscotto]

If you live on immediately east or south of USA, then a commute to anywhere in Mobile would not be that bad. Even downtown would be 20-25 minutes on a bad day. It's when you get out to Schillengers or Moffet that you take a risk of commuting.

I would look at places off University, Grelot, or Hillcrest (between Airport and Cottage Hill) if I were working at USA.

[DreamWeavin]

I don't live there currently but was born and raised there and fortunately was able to move 2 years ago. You will NOT find housing for that price. Is not going to happen I assure you. You can try checking the classified online on the Mobile Press site. Wife might want to check with the Mobile Press about a job. I would recommend she start with a staffing agency. USA had campus housing when I left. Do they no longer? My daughter is a USA grad!! Good luck with your job. Also with your house hunt. There are several,well some apts. near the campus. Let me know if you need the names of them. I would expect rent to run around $900.00 per month and UP. Alabama Power rates are HIIGH and due to the hot hot hot weather you will run your a/c 8-9 months of the year. The power bills can be quite pricey.

Originally Posted by DKaye75

My wife and I are moving to Mobile at the end of this month. I recently accepted a position at the University of South Alabama, but due to the time crunch, we'll be picking out a place to live over the internet. Does anyone have any suggestions?

We've done some looking on Craigslist, but haven't had much success. Ideally we're looking for a duplex or a townhouse with 2 bedrooms. Our price range is $600-$750. We've heard the midtown area is a nice place to look, and we think it will be a good fit since we don't yet know where my wife will be working. If we end up too close to the USA campus, she might end up with a long commute.

Anyway, we're really just looking for suggestions from anyone familiar with Mobile. What are some things you would've liked to have known before you moved there? Also, are there any good places for her to look for a job? She's got a bachelor's degree and three years of experience as a newspaper reporter, but she's willing to get out of the field if necessary. She would like to continue writing in some capacity if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[oscottscotto]

Originally Posted by DreamWeavin

You will NOT find housing for that price. Is not going to happen I assure you.

Uh, I lived in a very nice 2 BR townhouse in a great area for $669 a month. You do not know what you are talking about. Mobile's housing/apartments are extremely cheap in comparison to other areas of the nation.

[cetinmobile]

I was born here in Mobile and still live here today. You can buy a house for $900 a month and even less in the Midtown area where I live. If you want to that is there are some nice apartments in midtown there called the Dauphine Apartments and you can get a three bedroom townhouse for 640 here's a site to see if there the one for you: Mobile,AL apartment community details and pictures Dauphine Apartments. If you plan on having a family or have a family I don't recommend public school, you might want to plan on dishing out money for a private school education. I would recommend that if you plan on staying for a while you look into buying. Housing here is cheap and you could possibly get into a home for 750 a month. We pay $800 a month for our midtown 3 bedroom. If you need anymore info just ask.

[cetinmobile]

Free Mobile area apartment locator service

This is a good thing to have help finding the apartment or duplex you want so that you find one before you get ready to move!

[arboc]

You can buy a really good house here for $900/month, but if you escrow in the homeowners insurance, it jumps up to $1200/month. Something I didn't think would be so bad before I moved down here.

[Keeper]

But doesn't homeowner's rates depend on the value of your house and where you live in Mobile? That seems high compared to what I paid in FL.

Is that taxes and ins or just ins?

[DKaye75]

Thanks for your help everyone. We're currently looking at the Dauphine Apartments. We really like them so far, but we wanted to see if anyone has any insight into if they're a good choice? Thanks in advance.

[cetinmobile]

It probably does due to the flood zones and where it's located. I guess Florida should have the same problems though due to hurricanes.