Housing Relocation Question (Mobile, Daphne, Spanish Fort: apartments, crime, home)

[LAGirl504]

Hello all. I'm moving to Mobile from Louisiana and I really need some help with choosing an apartment. Last month, I did some temp work in Baldwin County and I really liked the area. However, my new job will be in Mobile on Springhill Ave. I found two apartments that I like. One is in Spanish Fort and the other is on N. Joachim St. I prefer the amenities and the new development in Spanish Fort. But I'm concerned about my daily commute to Springhill Ave. in Mobile. People give me different answers about the amount of time it would take. Is it really that bad (1 hour to go 15 miles)? Some say using the Causeway bridge would save me a lot of time. And would I be safe in N. Joachim St.? I don't even know the name of the area. Are there other areas I should consider if working on Springhill? Thank you.

[Okiefrombama]

I live in Daphne and it takes me 25 to 30 minutes to get downtown on a bad traffic day. Just allot yourself an hour so you can be there on time. I go to West Mobile at least twice a week during evening rush hour, and the traffic seems worse going west than going east. Mainly cause we on the ESho don't have as many lights to deal with. Sounds like it will take you 35 to 40 minutes from Spanish Fort. There are a lot of apartments near I-65; so you can look at those as well. Have you considered Midtown? It is a lot closer to where you'll be. I also considered living on N. Joachim Street downtown. Maybe it's the same place. It would be better for you to live in Midtown or Spanish Fort though. Trust me. Downtown needs a few more years to adjust.

If you're concerned about safety, live in Spanish Fort.

[oscottscotto]

Depending on exactly where in Spanish Fort and where on Springhill Ave the commute would be between ... I would give yourself at least 30 minutes. And yes, the causeway would definitely save time, even though the speed limit is lower. More scenic too .

[midtownruth]

That area at N. Joachim is really nice. I haven't been in those apartments, but I love the surrounding area. It would also be a lot closer than Spanish Fort. Also check out midtown. For midtown/springhill, there are the Dauphine apartments, Azalea Court, D'Iberville (on Springhill Ave- really nice), the Pathways, St. Charles, Yester Oaks, Windsor Warwick, Windsor Place, Spanish Villa, Mason Deville. Downtown there is the Tower on Ryan Park.

[LAGirl504]

Thank you for your responses. Your information has been really helpful. I think that I will chose Spanish Fort because of the shopping (like the Eastern Shore Center) and nearby chain restaurants. And those stop lights on Airport literally drove me nuts on my one exploring trip to West Mobile. I typically commute 45 minutes to get to my former job in New Orleans. This Spanish Fort commute seems very "doable." Oh, I have noticed that a lot of Mobile area apartments are offering great specials. I must be coming at time of high supply. Thanks again.

[JRA2000TL]

I think you're making a wise choice by choosing Spanish Ft. Springhill Ave. in downtown is crummy IMHO, and just downtown in general. Mobile isn't the typical big city like Chicago where there are many wealthier, nicer areas. While there are a few, downtown gets very dark at night and shuts down. You're also ALOT closer to the heavier crime areas north of Springhill Ave.

I've lived in Mobile my whole life and traveled the country. I'd never live in downtown Mobile, and I don't feel that it's very safe at all. Some people just have to have a historical home and want that old cultural feel. If that's you, you won't find it in Spanish Ft.; but from reading your posts, it sounds like you're ok with that. I think the desire to live in a historical home would be the only motivation that anyone would have to want to live in that part of town (downtown/Springhill area). It's just really run down, I think.

[southernnaturelover]

Check out Bay Breeze apartments in Daphne, they're pretty nice and close to I-10 and the causeway.

Pine Bend apartments on Montilimar Dr are also worth a look if you'd rather be on the Mobile side.