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Thursday, April 20, 2023

Your Guide to Moving to Mobile, AL

Mobile, Alabama

Your Guide to Moving to Mobile, AL

Mobile, AL, is a great southern city for those looking to start over or explore a new area. While some call Mobile a “mini-New Orleans,” the truth is this historic town has a lively character all its own. Stay busy with the bustling downtown, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful outdoor attractions available out the door in this southernmost part of Alabama.

As you prepare to move to Mobile, get to know the town, its benefits, and attractions. Let’s walk through what to expect as a Mobile resident.

Beautiful location

Aerial view of Mobile Alabama

Mobile is situated in the heart of the Gulf Coast region, providing a spectacular view of the Mobile Bay and Mobile River. The surrounding landscape combines lush forests, wetlands, cypress bayous, and sandy beaches.

Tropical climate

With its mild subtropical climate, Mobile’s winters are rarely too cold or hot. Summers can be humid, but temperatures tend to stay in the high-80Fs to low-90Fs during the day and stay comfortable at night. Winters rarely see snow, but it has happened. The average highs are typically in the lows-60Fs.

One thing Mobile is known for is its rain. One study found it to be the wettest city in the US, with an average of 66 inches a year. Around 120 days a year, it experiences rainfall, even if it’s just a short-lasting summer thunderstorm. The wettest months are July and August.

The other concern is the impact of tropical storms. As a bayfront and low-lying city, Mobile is definitely affected by these powerful weather events. To give you one measure, Hurricane Katrina pushed 11.25 ft of storm surge onshore, not including the wind-driven waves. It’s a reality of life choosing to live on the waterfront.

Rich history

Mobile has a long and fascinating history beginning with its founding in 1702 as the first capital of French Louisiana. After the French ceded Louisiana to Britain, Mobile became part of the British colony of West Florida. Later it would become an essential port for trade with Europe, Latin America, South America, and Europe. It also played an important role in the Civil War with the Battle of Mobile Bay offshore.

While many people associate Mardi Grad with New Orleans, Mobile is actually the home of Carnival in the US. It remains a major center for the traditional Mardi Gras, with the Carnival season beginning as early as November when mystic societies start hosting private formal balls.

Modern Mobile is home to many historic sites, including several antebellum mansions and Fort Conde, built by French colonists in 1723.

Fun attractions

Once you settle in, you’ll get out to the attractions that will make your Mobile life enjoyable. Start with the Mobile Carnival Museum to explore the city’s unique Mardi Gras history, with exhibits showcasing colorful costumes, floats, and masks.

You can also stroll through the Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a historic mansion from the 1930s with carefully cultivated botanical gardens spread across 65 acres. The Mobile Botanical Gardens feature even more variety of flora.

USS Alabama in Mobile Ba Area

Don’t miss the self-tour of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, with the World War II era Submarine USS Drum, war memorials, and the standout USS Alabama.

The Sea Lab and Estuarium present educational and hands-on marine experiences at Dauphin Island. The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a popular attraction for kids. It has an IMAX theater, hands-on chemistry labs, and a virtual theater.

Visit one of the many beaches along the Gulf Coast, where the white sands stretch for miles along the sapphire-toned oceanfront.

Colorful arts scene

Downtown streets are filled with vibrant murals, pop-up window displays, and eccentric sculptures on the sidewalk. Bystanders walking in the area could get instantly absorbed by these creative displays, especially on the second Friday of each month when the Lower Dauphin ArtWalk hits the streets.

A traditional art experience can be found at the Mobile Museum of Art. Its extensive collection of art from around the world features permanent exhibitions of African, Asian, and American art. Some rooms are dedicated to Native American or Alabama artists.

For live music, visit Saenger Theater, a historic venue where you can catch various performances, from ballet to rock concerts. It seats over 2,000 persons in an architecturally stunning venue.

Bayfest is a popular annual three-day music festival in downtown Mobile, featuring performances from over 125 acts on stages spread across the venue.

Cost of living

Cost of Living Mobile AL

You can still live in style without overspending. The cost of living in your area is 18% lower than the national average. You can save up to 49% on housing costs. However, healthcare expenses are one category that may require spending more out of your pocket.

Buying a home

If you want to settle in a beautiful city, now could be a great time as affordable homes are available. The median home prices for January 2023 were $210,000!

As a waterfront city, you can live along Mobile Bay, Mobile River, or Dog River. The extensive bayous are another option, too. Or, try one of the newer master-planned communities springing up in the suburbs around Mobile.

Not sure where to look? Some top Mobile neighborhoods to consider include Berkleigh, Parkhill, and Saraland.

Job market and economy

Job Market mobile alabama

Mobile’s job market is thriving, and the city has a strong economy. The Port of Mobile serves as an essential economic driver for the city. Mobile’s importance as a shipbuilding and logistics hub dates before World War II, but it really took off while churning out ships for the war effort. Austal USA and BAE Systems continue the shipbuilding tradition in the area.

However, much of the industrial economy transitioned into paper and chemical manufacturing when the shipbuilding aspect waned. Mobile is also home to numerous aerospace and defense companies, such as Airbus and ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering, Inc.

Education resources

Mobile boasts some of the top schools in the area, including the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, a public residential school for advanced studies in these fields. It is a boarding school for the state’s brightest students, but they don’t have to pay tuition or board.

The city has several universities and colleges, such as the University of South Alabama, a public university with multiple colleges and Ph.D.-level studies. Around 8,000 undergraduate students come for its affordable education and to play at a Division I school in athletics. Degrees in healthcare are its leading course of study.

The University of Mobile is a private Christian university offering degrees in various fields. It enrolls just under 2,000 undergraduates each year.

Spring Hill College is a private college emphasizing Catholic values and higher education. It’s one of the nation’s oldest Jesuit and Catholic colleges and focuses on four-year studies.

Faulkner University is a private Christian college focusing on undergraduate and graduate studies. Key programs are in computer and information systems, business, and legal studies.

Bishop State Community College is a historically black and colored college with two-year programs.

Healthcare

Regarding healthcare, Mobile is home to four major hospitals and medical centers, such as Mobile Infirmary Medical Center and Providence Hospital, that provide specialty care for the entire region.

The University of South Alabama Medical Center has been around since 1830 with the old city-owned Mobile City Hospital and associated medical school and has 346 beds. It’s a teaching hospital and is designated as Mobile’s only Level I Trauma Center by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The university operates the region’s only dedicated women’s and children’s hospitals.

The city also has many specialized doctors and clinics providing comprehensive healthcare services.

Getting around town

Mobile has two large interstate highways. I-10 runs from Florida to Louisiana in an east-west direction, while I-65 starts here and heads northeast to Montgomery. Additionally, several critical non-interstate roads run in and around Mobile.

The public transit is the Wave Transit system, which provides bus services throughout the city along with a convenient mobile application. However, residents should keep in mind that traffic delays can be common during warm seasons and holidays due to the city’s proximity to major interstates. As a result, many residents rely on their personal cars for their daily commutes.

Outdoor Recreation

Mobile’s warm climate and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico make outdoor recreation opportunities plentiful. Its location on Dog River and Mobile River provides boating, fishing, and waterfront dining options. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a 26,000-acre wetland area with excellent fishing and hunting spots. 5 Rivers Delta Center is a popular spot to learn about the local ecology and rent boats for outdoor activities.

The nearby beaches of Dauphin Island, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and other water sports. You can also try fishing in the bayous or boat to Fort Gaines.

Mobile is home to over 25 golf courses and has been called a “strikingly good value” by Golf Digest. The courses offer challenges for all levels of players, from par 3 short courses to 54 championship holes.

The city’s parks provide the perfect place for a jog or bike ride or just breathe some fresh air.

A lively, southern culture

sunny day mobile alabama

Besides the already mentioned Mardi Gras and arts culture, southern hospitality is core to how locals interact and engage with each other. You’ll hear an emphasis on helping others, manners, and taking pride in one’s community.

The Azalea Spring Maids are a group of women exemplifying the town’s emphasis on Southern hospitality. These young women participate in the Mardi Gras festival each year dressed in festive gowns. They carry silver trays with an assortment of sweets and give them to onlookers. The town also uses them as ambassadors at events during the year.

Its multicultural roots are evident in the traditional southern and unique fare found in the local restaurants, like the abundance of oysters. You decide if you want them shucked on the shell, roasted, or Rockefeller style.

You can’t miss the Creole cafes highlighting this spicy and unique cooking style. Indulge in shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and fried chicken biscuits.

Moving to Mobile, AL

In short, Mobile is a great place to live with an active community, waterfront outdoor recreation, a rich southern culture, and a growing job market. The city is easy to navigate, and its proximity to Gulf Coast beaches makes it a great place to call home.

So get ready to experience the best that Mobile has to offer! And if you need more help getting to know Mobile, your local real estate agent can be a resource.

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Preston Guyton