**need advice** relocating to Mobile area (Prichard, Daphne: wood floors, real estate, apartment complex)

[stenofabulous]

I am a freelance court reporter looking for an area of Mobile to relocate ASAP that's affordable, safe, and convenient to primarily downtown Mobile, but I will be also doing freelance work in the surrounding areas as far as Pensacola, FL and Biloxi, MS. I know nothing about the area. Any suggestions?

[Bama`s Port]

What price range are you looking for ?

Right now the avg price in West Mobile for a decent 1BR/1BA is probably a little under $500/month. 2BR/2BA about $600. So I'd say being downtown...depending on the area...about $700 for a 1BR/1BA and about $850 for a 2BR/2BA.I'd say the most affordable downtown aprtment in a good area would be $650/month minimum for a 1BR/1BA.

Tower at Ryan Park (downtown) had a move in special with a studio for $690.There is a studio above NOJA( a realy good restaurant) listed in the rental section on the Downtown Alliance site for $495 I believe.The newly rennovated Summerville Court on SpringHill near downtown. 1 and 2 br were $800-$1000. They are really nice(granite counter/wood floors/fancy pendent lighting). There are others as well I recommend that you use the Mobile downtown Alliance site http://http://www.downtownmobile.org/real_e_residential.php (broken link).

This site has apartments and condos .

This is the one that Imentined about NOJA(good food).Downtown Mobile Alliance > Real Estate > Residential (http://www.downtownmobile.org/real_e_residential.php?property=71 - broken link)

Dedonti historic district.http://http://www.downtownmobile.org/real_e_residential.php?property=199 (broken link)

Tower at Ryan Park .http://http://www.downtownmobile.org/real_e_residential.php?property=198 (broken link)

Try this site also http://http://mobilebay.apartmentfinder.com/results.aspx?CCity=Mobile&CCountry=US&CMinPrice=-1&CMaxPrice=-1&CRadius=0&CState=AL&CSearchType=1&gclid=COHg7abl 6JICFQVexgodQE9T3w (broken link)


Where are you moving from ?

[stenofabulous]

Thanks for the info. Actually, I'm moving from Nashville, TN, and I have a dog that probably won't be allowed in any apartment complex, so what I was really looking for is a rental house. 2 bedroom is really all I need. I just don't want to find a reasonably priced place and find out it's the ghetto when I get there. Do you have any info on rental houses in the $600-$700 price range, I suppose? I've looked and looked until I just about can't look any more. Foley or Fairhope seem reasonable. Would you suggest actually living in Mobile or one of these surrounding smaller cities? Thanks again!

[southernnaturelover]

Look at Loxley or Robertsdale, those towns are convenient to I-10 and you are more likely to find something that suits you're needs there. It might be tough to rent a decent house for under $700 in Daphne, Foley , or Fairhope.

You could probably also find a rental house in Saraland or Satsuma. Those are nice safe towns along I-65, maybe 15 minutes to downtown.

Avoid Prichard, you can't get anymore ghetto than that.

[stenofabulous]

Thanks! Yeah, that's what I had heard about Prichard. I've found a few places in the Robertsdale that seemed decent and reasonable, if they call me back. What about Chickasaw? Can you tell me anything about that area? I appreciate the info so much. I'm trying to get a lot of properties lined up to view, so when I go down to find a place, it'll be quicker and easier.

[southernnaturelover]

Personally I would stay away from Chickasaw too, it's a bit on the trashy side and very close to Prichard.

[kevin_1975]

I would try and stay in Mobile. This would keep you from having to cross the bayway everyday for work.

There are some apartment complex that allow dogs. Some say under a certain weight and some say it depends on the type it is.

[osunshine]

Saraland is safe and an easy commute to the places you mentioned, but beware there is a bunch of good ol' rednecks that live there. also do not cross over by the river to look for houses, It is becoming a very hot place to but due to the new race track & other industries.

Tillmans corner is also a short communte via the interstate to downtown. But unless you live past Hillcrest Road, you should have no more than a 20 minute commute to downtown.


Midtown is also nice, but a bit more than what you want to pay.

[downtowndoll]

As long as you pay a pet fee, many people/companies allow pets in apartments.

I would stay in Midtown Mobile and you are a great candidate for those downtown lofts someone wisely suggested. Then you are close to I-10 for those longer-distance trips to Biloxi and so on you have to do for work. West Mobile doesn't have quick access to I-10. The De Tonti historic district(just north of downtown- don't go past Claiborne though) and the Church St. East historic distric(South of Government) are safe downtown residential areas. Stay by I-65 if you are looking for apartments around Airport Blvd.

Chickasaw is actually a nice place, at least just to rent. Super close to downtown and I-10 access. I had some friends who lived there and it's interesting. It's reasonable and there is a cute historic district (the only place I'd look). It is right by Prichard, and I don't know how it has stayed okay. But it has. The houses are deals, so it's a conundrum. We went to a birthday party at the city pool in the historic district they have. Nicely tended yards and all that.

[brescott]

MidTown Mobile is full of 2/1 rental homes. It's close to downtown and the interstate.