Please help! Wondering about relocating, Mobile sounds pretty cool (house, theatre)

[spierl1]

Hello all, I have to decide about a job offer in the next day or two. I've never been to Mobile, and have been trying to find out everything I can. I'm a 29 year old male, single. I live in Columbus, OH, and absolutely love it. I love living by some great bars, getting to know business owners, being a part of the community, walking to the market, drinking good beer, enjoying the music scene, and cooking. From what I've read on the threads, it sounds like Midtown might be a similar feel? I've lived in the south as well, and have enjoyed Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I like urban areas, hanging out on the porch. I've also heard Mobile is very 'bible-belty', but I imagine that's restricted to the suburbs? I wish I could articulate a little better what I'm looking for. Just a laid back, community-driven area I suppose. With energetic folks trying to make it a better place. And good music and bars and food and similar-aged people to hang out with. Can anyone help? Thanks so much.

[G00D]

You will do fine here, its doesn't seem like your looking for a metropolitain atmosphere, which Mobile is not. Its a medium sized city which has those things you are describing.

[oscottscotto]

I wish you could visit before deciding. You might like it, but you might not.

[PortCity]

I agree with Oscottscotto you may need to come down and visit. Mobile has what you are looking for such as the bars and live music.Mobile is smaller than Columbus of course , it is the same size as Baton Rouge with a simular feel to it but more dense structurally in my opinion.So if you liked Baton Rouge I think you will like Mobile.

[midtownruth]

Definitely check out downtown. It has the bars, clubs, restaurants, market in the square, music, indie movie theatre, sushi, coffee, gelato. For example, OAR is at the Saenger tonight. Downtown is still up and coming but I think you would like it. Midtown is nice, although not urban (you need to use a car to get most places). A lot of people live in midtown and go downtown for entertainment, not to say there isn't anything in midtown. The Mellow Mushroom up at the loop comes to mind, a pizza place with live music- good hangout spot.

[midtownruth]

Also, I wouldn't worry about bible-thumpers. You'll be fine.

[spierl1]

Thanks so much everyone. This is some of the best information I've been able to find. I guess I sort of thought midtown was downtown. Do many people live downtown, or just head there for entertainment? Is the downtown farmers market the main one in town? I remember the mellow mushroom in Baton Rouge, good times at the trivia night. I wish I could visit as well. At least I'll be afforded a house hunting trip if I accept the position, so I'll be able to look around a little. Thanks again.

[TheStormchaser]

Spier1,

I just moved down here about 2 months ago from Cincinnati and I love it. Midtown has what you are looking for. I am a single male in my 30s and chose to live in Baldwin Co. I love it over here.

Mobile is a welcome change from Cincinnati and Ohio (no more snow & brutal cold and the people are MUCH friendlier). Mobile is definitely more like Baton Rouge than Columbus. Different type of peole, different atmosphere. I think you'll love it, but come down and visit just to be sure.

[Croye22]

I'm hoping to come visit myself sometime in January because I'm looking to moving to Mobile myself.

[UpstateBooster]

Kind of OT here, but what is brining people to Mobile in this economy? I mean, it's my hometown, and I have a soft spot for the area, but is there much business-wise going on? I can't think of any/many companies based there any more.