Info about Fairhope please (Mobile: apartment complex, renting, crime)

[adventuregurl]

Greetings,
I just found out about Fairhope and it sounds absolutely charming. I was wondering if anyone could give me information about a couple of things and any other general information about living there. I work from home for myself so commuting is not a problem.

1. What are house prices like, maybe for a cottage?
2. Are all areas safe?
3. Are outsiders accepted?
4. Would it be a good place for a late 40's single woman?
5. Is it considered the bible belt and is the are open to metaphysics and new age spirituality and alternative healing?
6. Is it an easy place to make friends?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

[adventuregurl]

Doesn't anybody out there know anything about Fairhope?

Thanks!

[Southlander]

First, search the threads on this particular forum for Fairhope info. There are a good many.
Then...ask your questions.
There isn't a huge number of people posting on this forum. It may take a few days for some responses.

[adventuregurl]

Thanks, I already did the search and read the comments.

[Keeper]

Sorry, I don't believe we have anyone who frequents CD who actually lives in Fairhope. IIRC there is one member who use to live there.

I don't live in Fairhope but I do know it is a nice town and safe. I think prices are high in the main part of town but you may not. Many are only a few blocks from the bay.

From what I have seen around Fairhope new ppl are accepted. I would not consider it a 'bible belt' but whether or not 'new age' would be accepted I don't know. However, there are ppl/tourist who come to Fairhope to visit the stores in town as there are lots of antique and other shops.


You can check here for ages of residents and housing costs.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Fairhope-Alabama.html

[adventuregurl]

Thanks Keeper, do you live in Mobile? I am also considering there too...I will try to come out in March. I currently live in AZ but Mobile certainly sounds like a wonderful place.

[humacaena]

Hello,
I live in Fairhope, and love it! We moved down here from Atlanta 5+ years ago. Houses in subdivisions a couple of miles from downtown are a lot more reasonable, specially now. Intown can be expensive as it is very chic and charming...It is fairly friendly, many people from all areas are moving this way. Taxes are low..just got my tax bill, $1690 and house is over $500,000.
It is a very artsy town, lots of festivals, concerts, but little nightlife. It is very safe...with few exceptions...petty crime, zero murders so far. In Mobile, that is a different story. Check the stats. There is a young free thinker crowd, blending with the older Fairhopians...and it seems to work.
In mid March they have a great Art Festival...really worthwhile, and weather is great that time of the year.Being next to Mobile Bay, there is a lot of shrimping and fishing off the Pier...that doubles as the town square. It as nice parks and sidewalks for strolling. The sunsets are spectacular!
Prices of homes have gotten back to normal, as they had gone crazy for a while. There are affordable new 4 sides brick homes, about 2000 sq ft, for less than $200,000, in nice areas. Many between $200-and $250, with granite kitchens, 2 car garage, ect. I just saw some today, BTW....so it's fresh on my mind.
Come on down and check it out!

[adventuregurl]

Thanks os much for your information!

[Keeper]

Great info Humacaena.. I love Fairhope too. My mother and grandmother both lived in Fairhope for years.

Adventuregurl.. Mobile is much bigger and crime is higher. There are a few areas that are not bad like Midtown an older section of town. It is beautiful especially the older sections with huge oak trees with old stately homes.

[Bulldawgfan]

Perhaps I can offer a perspective on Fairhope like no other. I recently completed a large project in Mobile. My boss called me up one day and said he was renting me either an apartment complex style apartment in Mobile or the top floor of an old bay house in Fairhope. I asked for the Fairhope apartment and he got it. I had never been to Fairhope, and had only passed through the area one other time. Life in Fairhope was much nicer than I expected. As an outsider I never met a stranger. It sure seemed safe to me... the police have a heavy presense. Between eating $0.25 oysters at Randy's or $1 drafts at Wentzells... the place is awesome. I seriously thought of moving there permanantly. I think, for a small town, it has most of what you are looking for.