Need Opinion, relocating weekend of Feb 20-21 (Mobile, Daphne: apartments, houses)

[puregold2006]

We are relocating for employment this next weekend. We have the choices between two houses, potentially three.

One is in Spanish Fort, Wakefield subdivision.

The other is in Daphne, Lake Forest Subdivision

And third (but may not work out because they do not want large dogs), is in Creekwood Subdivision.


Which would you choose?? Education is a priority to us, as we have 3 children, 11, 6, and 4. Need to make a decision by this weekend!!! Any help would be appreciated. I have toured the area and seen the homes, but I need advice from someone that "KNOWS" the areas.

Additional factors, I love the water, beach, shopping, and activities for the kids.

[southernnaturelover]

I would choose Wakefield.

Lake Forest has apartments at the backside of the subdivision and the younger folks tend to speed through the area with their boom systems blasting.

[puregold2006]

Thanks, we are leaning towards that one. The Creekwood one is in west mobile. I'll be working at Thyssenkrupp (begin 03/01)

The Wakefield one is all one level, while the daphne one in lakeforest is three levels, thought that would be nice to separate out the kids when they drive me nuts.

Thank you for your opinion of Wakefield, anyone else?

[Okiefrombama]

I would say Spanish Fort would be the best schools for your kids. Don't knock Lake Forest, though. I've loved living there.

[midtownruth]

My first choice, school wise and all, would be Wakefield. Daphne schools are fine as well, but Spanish Fort's are newer and I think a little better. I don't know anything about the other one though. As for location to TK, you would probably be best off over the bay (Daphne or Spanish Ft.)

[poptop27]

Spanish Fort Schools are much better than Daphne's(more discipline, smaller class sizes, better test scores, and much newer facilities). Daphne schools(especially the high school) tend to have a reputation for drugs etc. I would highly reccomend Wakefield over Lake Forest. In Lake Forest teens constantly drive by at 60 mph with the radio blasting at all hours. Especially if the house you are considering is on Ridgewood(the main drag), it would not be safe for your children to play outside. However, one benefit of Lake Forest is that they have 3 pools available to members in the summer. Though Daphne does have a town center, it is slowly becoming vaccant and very few shops and stores are left. The Eastern Shore Center in Spanish Fort is growing however. Both cities are close to Fairhope, which has many speciality and locally owned stores and boutiques. Either one in Baldwin County is about 45-60 minutes to the beach. One benefit that Mobile County has at the moment is that they are not facing major teacher layoffs, at least not as much as Spanish Fort and Daphne. But the layoffs are not affecting Middle schools and elementary schools as they are the high school levels.