Thinking of relocating from Detroit, MI to Mobile, AL (Daphne: low crime, how much)

[newbaby90908]

From visiting, I really liked the schools and the quality of living in Mobile, AL. Is it really what is cracked up to be? I am looking for a small, quiet area to raise my daughter with low crime, nice housing, etc.,

I work as a Project Manager for software organization and have found a few oppty's in the area, but not many.

I guess, I am just looking for some guidance from those of you that live there or recently relocated.

Anything will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Newbaby90908

[dailysounds]

Having spent quite a bit of time in the Detroit area, and living in Mobile for ten years, I can say they are much different cities. I'll list a few of the things I think are different.

1. The weather. It almost never snows in Mobile, and only gets below freezing maybe a couple of days or weeks of the year. It also get damn hot in the summer.

2. From my experience over the last year or so, the jobs in Mobile for 'IT' professionals have been almost non-existent. I'm not sure about Detroit, but being such a bigger area I assume there are more opportunities there.

3. Crime. I don't really know. It seems like crime has risen a lot in the past two years. I see statistics that counter this view, but I believe those are for political purposes.

4. There are no professional sports teams in the area here. Detroit is a great sports town.

5. Traffic is about the same here as it is in Detroit.

6. Schools. I don't have children, so I may not be the best to answer this. However, I do read the news and I know that there are real issues with education in Alabama. There are budget problems with public schools in Mobile. I don't know why it seems to be a lower priority for elected officials, but it looks like it is. On the other hand, there are a lot of private schools here to choose from. I don't know anything about the schools in Detroit.

7. The food here is much better. No offense, but I found food in Detroit to be extremely bland. Also, a 'coney' is not as good as a chili dog.

That's all I've got for now. I hope some of it helps.

[newbaby90908]

Thanks so much, dailysounds! Much appreciated..

[Mr crabb]

I work as a Project Manager for software organization and have found a few oppty's in the area, but not many.


Look into Atlanta

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by dailysounds

Having spent quite a bit of time in the Detroit area, and living in Mobile for ten years, I can say they are much different cities. I'll list a few of the things I think are different.

1. The weather. It almost never snows in Mobile, and only gets below freezing maybe a couple of days or weeks of the year. It also get damn hot in the summer.

2. From my experience over the last year or so, the jobs in Mobile for 'IT' professionals have been almost non-existent. I'm not sure about Detroit, but being such a bigger area I assume there are more opportunities there.

3. Crime. I don't really know. It seems like crime has risen a lot in the past two years. I see statistics that counter this view, but I believe those are for political purposes.

4. There are no professional sports teams in the area here. Detroit is a great sports town.

5. Traffic is about the same here as it is in Detroit.

6. Schools. I don't have children, so I may not be the best to answer this. However, I do read the news and I know that there are real issues with education in Alabama. There are budget problems with public schools in Mobile. I don't know why it seems to be a lower priority for elected officials, but it looks like it is. On the other hand, there are a lot of private schools here to choose from. I don't know anything about the schools in Detroit.

7. The food here is much better. No offense, but I found food in Detroit to be extremely bland. Also, a 'coney' is not as good as a chili dog.

That's all I've got for now. I hope some of it helps.

Traffic in Mobile is the same as Detroit ?? I find that hard to believe.

[AlwaysBeachin]

Originally Posted by PortCity

Traffic in Mobile is the same as Detroit ?? I find that hard to believe.

Traffic is not the same, been to Detroit a number of times and have grown up in Mobile my whole life. There's always construction on the roads in Detroit when it's not the dead of winter, so traffic sucks even more. The construction is due to the poor condition of the roads. Traffic and harsh winters eat them up. MI has about the worst roads in the county that I've found.

The weather is your preference. I particularly like the cold weather and hate the hot humid climate down here. I like suburban Detroit but wouldn't live in Detriot proper. I'd looked into Novi and Farmington Hills before when I almost moved there.

As for comparable cities, are you talking about Detroit proper or Sterling Heights? Those areas are as different as night and day. Oakland and Macomb Counties are far nicer than most of the things you will find here; however, housing wise, you can buy as nice or nicer house here for a fraction of the price. Mobile just doesn't have the "newer" shopping areas with the exception of the Eastern Shore Mall in Daphne. There are plenty of newer neighborhoods in West Mobile or on the Eastern Shore though. In time, we will get those nicer places. I keep hoping they'll build a Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Changs over here in the Eastern Shore Center. Mobile just doesn't have that kind of stuff.

Overall though, your dollar goes alot further here. Sure the salaries are lower here but the difference still is in the favor of the South. You will have a much nicer house here than you would in Detroit. There are pros and cons of each place though.

[GODSEND]

Originally Posted by dailysounds

Having spent quite a bit of time in the Detroit area, and living in Mobile for ten years, I can say they are much different cities. I'll list a few of the things I think are different.

1. The weather. It almost never snows in Mobile, and only gets below freezing maybe a couple of days or weeks of the year. It also get damn hot in the summer.

2. From my experience over the last year or so, the jobs in Mobile for 'IT' professionals have been almost non-existent. I'm not sure about Detroit, but being such a bigger area I assume there are more opportunities there.

3. Crime. I don't really know. It seems like crime has risen a lot in the past two years. I see statistics that counter this view, but I believe those are for political purposes.

4. There are no professional sports teams in the area here. Detroit is a great sports town.

5. Traffic is about the same here as it is in Detroit.

6. Schools. I don't have children, so I may not be the best to answer this. However, I do read the news and I know that there are real issues with education in Alabama. There are budget problems with public schools in Mobile. I don't know why it seems to be a lower priority for elected officials, but it looks like it is. On the other hand, there are a lot of private schools here to choose from. I don't know anything about the schools in Detroit.

7. The food here is much better. No offense, but I found food in Detroit to be extremely bland. Also, a 'coney' is not as good as a chili dog.

That's all I've got for now. I hope some of it helps.

The schools in Mobile are not great for your children. Would suggest a private school.
The traffic is NOT the same. Mobile only has 2 interstates. Traffic FEELS the same b/c they have more streets, intersections, etc..

[NtodaJ]

From what I've heard crime has risen, because of Hurricane Katrina.

[dailysounds]

Originally Posted by JRA2000TL

Traffic is not the same, been to Detroit a number of times and have grown up in Mobile my whole life. There's always construction on the roads in Detroit when it's not the dead of winter, so traffic sucks even more. The construction is due to the poor condition of the roads. Traffic and harsh winters eat them up. MI has about the worst roads in the county that I've found.

I don't know what you are comparing, but when I say traffic is about the same, I mean congestion. Obviously, Detroit area is much larger than the Mobile area. There are more interstates, highways, and cars on the road. When I think of 'traffic' I think about how much time I spend going well under the speed limit or at a stand-still due to congestion. I drove around the Detroit area for many months and almost never had to sit in traffic. The roads are bad, but that isn't an issue unless it causes stoppage or slowing. Traffic on Airport or Cottage Hill during rush hour is frustrating, but the interstates here are generally ok except for near the tunnels.

[newbaby90908]

I figure there is crime everywhere these days and anywhere has got to be better than Detroit. Also, I was looking at private schools and will have to make a decision once I move (daughter still young). Whats the average commute to work? I drive about an hour each way now so two hours a day for work. I def don't want to do that anymore.