Spanish Fort vs. Daphne vs. Fairhope (Mobile, Gulf Shores: for sale, rental, condos)

[simple girl]

Hi everyone,

Looks like we'll be moving to the Mobile area by the end of the year. We are coming from Mississippi (Columbus area), so we'll be able to make a few weekend trips down there to check things out in person.

I've been purusing the threads and thus far we are leaning towards living on the east side of the bay (closer access to Gulf Shores and Florida destinations). I would like to hear feedback as to why one would pick any one of the 3 towns above over the other.

Things that we are looking for:

1. Renting a 2 bdr condo or apt - would love to stay in one with a nice view of the bay with a balcony.

2. We are mid-40's, no kids. Looking for an area that has great parks, outdoor activities, road cycling opportunities, etc.

3. Want to be close enough to Mobile to enjoy any downtown events/nightlife/restauant scenes, etc.

4. Want to minimize driving in congested traffic.

Thanks for any and all feedback!

SG

[midtownruth]

Fairhope is a great little town with fun shops and the like. They also have good waterfront access via thier park/pier/beach. Spanish Fort doesn't have much of any town center, and is pretty sprawly, but if you want to live pretty close to things but live sort of in the woods with foxes and deer and stuff, it's great. I have several frineds who live out there and it's pretty cool. Daphne has recently begun to sprawl out a lot with new shopping centers and life-style centers. I personally liked it when it was a smaller town, but I guess there are pros and cons of each.

I think you might like Fairhope the best. It is the most walkable, the park as I said is nice and would be a good place for jogging/cycling/fishing/whatever. They also have events over there (such as Arts and Crafts Festival, Earth Day in the Park to name a couple large ones). Not too far of a drive from downtown Mobile, and when the Maritime Museum is completed there will be access via passenger ferries. As for as a condo/apt with a view, that would be kind of hard to do. There aren't really any highrises except one in Daphne. The closest you could do would probably be to get a house on the bay, which could set you back a bit.

[simple girl]

Thank you for the reply midtownruth. That's interesting that there is only one condo/hi rise option (I did find that one in Daphne, and unfortunately, it only has studios and 1 bdrm option - we need 2 bdrms).

Given that information, we may actually expand the area we look in. Are there any type of hi-rise rental options in the Mobile area that are on the water (downtown, east/west, etc.)?

SG

[humacaena]

simple girl,

There are several condo projects in Fairhope, right on the bay. They are on South Mobile street. I will try to research names, but if you do any looking, just ck South Mobile street. This is just south of the pier. There are sidewalks that go for miles where you can walk safely...biking is OK, but occasionally we have a wacko running bikers down...(not so often, but one is too many) Good luck!!

[midtownruth]

Oh you're right, I forgot there were some down that way. I was thinking in terms of highrises or condos right downtown. Sorry

[midtownruth]

Unfortunately for downtown Mobile, there is a lack of residentail options. There is the Tower on Ryan Park, which has a terrace on the roof (11 stories I think?) with nice views. It isn't on the water, though.

[simple girl]

Thanks for the great lead humacaena. I tried looking for something for rent (via google with that street), but no luck yet. It seems to pull up condo's for sale.

I need to find a condo owner who is looking to rent, and that seems pretty specific. I'm going to keep my eye on Craig's list, too.

We have some time as we don't expect to move until December.

Very excited about moving! Midtown - Fairhope does look really nice!

[humacaena]

simple girl,

There are condos for rent in Magnolia Beach, on Mobile St south, and Fairhope North, scenic 98 across from Fairhope Marina. (There is one there for rent or sale at this moment. There are many owners that will rent although they prefer to sell). If you can get access to MLS, or search realtor.com or any of these sites, it will be more helpful than other means.

There is a high rise ,Loma Alta,in Daphne sits on a hill, and has killer views of the bay and Mobile. Again, there might be some for lease there. Good luck!!!

[simple girl]

Originally Posted by humacaena

simple girl,

There are condos for rent in Magnolia Beach, on Mobile St south, and Fairhope North, scenic 98 across from Fairhope Marina. (There is one there for rent or sale at this moment. There are many owners that will rent although they prefer to sell). If you can get access to MLS, or search realtor.com or any of these sites, it will be more helpful than other means.

There is a high rise ,Loma Alta,in Daphne sits on a hill, and has killer views of the bay and Mobile. Again, there might be some for lease there. Good luck!!!

Thank you! I'm taking notes here...we are pretty sure we are gonna make a trip down this weekend to start scouting out the Eastern Shore. Mobile, here we come!

[humacaena]

You might want to rent a scooter in the Scooter place, almost on the corner or Mobile St ad Pier Street...south of the Fairhope pier. They are fun and lets you run around and really see the town. Ck out lunch at Panini Pete's, in the French quarter area intown. It's about the best for lunch....he's our our Star of D,D & D....with guy Fieri on the Food Network.

Also, ck out Fly Creek cafe...great sunsets, cold rinks and fairly good food. The Fairhope north condos are across the way. Hope you like our beautiful town.We love it!!!