2nd home: Gulf Shores, AL vs. Emerald Coast, FL? (Mobile: sales, condo)

[CrosbyStills]

While window shopping for second homes (snow-birding from E. Tennessee), the emerald coast of Florida is expensive! Destin, Watersound, the areas along 30A between Pensacola and Panama City Beach.

Any thoughts as to why Gulf Shores isn't as popular? Why it might be more affordable or less desirable?

Thanks!

[MinivanDriver]

Lower property taxes in Alabama

[Surge0001]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

While window shopping for second homes (snow-birding from E. Tennessee), the emerald coast of Florida is expensive! Destin, Watersound, the areas along 30A between Pensacola and Panama City Beach.

Any thoughts as to why Gulf Shores isn't as popular? Why it might be more affordable or less desirable?

Thanks!

It’s more affordable because it’s Alabama, it’s much cheaper to live in Alabama than it is in Florida, Gulf Shores is just as popular, if not more than most of the Florida Panhandle beaches, Gulf shores is booming with home builds, sales and condo builds. The only undesirable part of Gulf Shores is the traffic

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

Any thoughts as to why Gulf Shores isn't as popular? Why it might be more affordable or less desirable?

The only reason is that Alabama has a stigma, while Florida doesn't.

The Alabama coast is just as nice and desirable as the Emerald Coast.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

What do you value?

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach has better food and is cheaper, with less of a military 'feel'. To me it's easier to LIVE there, than Florida.

Destin/30A/PCB have whiter sand and clearer water, and is more expensive due to this. It's more developed with more touristy stuff.

Pensacola in the middle. From Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach you have more of the military function type look, but Navarre is OK. Cross the bridge to Okaloosa Island you kinda get out of that sort of look.

Bottom line, Florida IS tourism, so it's just slightly nicer than surrounding areas. That's what they do, that's their livelihood, all throughout the state.

I'd probably live in Alabama. But I'd rather vacation in Florida.

[CrosbyStills]

This is good information, thank you all. Now to see what's available in the 200-350 range. Initial search on Zillow doesn't show much, unfortunately

[Surge0001]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

This is good information, thank you all. Now to see what's available in the 200-350 range. Initial search on Zillow doesn't show much, unfortunately

Yea even Alabama wasn't immune to the drastic home prices, You can try Foley directly adjacent to Gulf Shores which has a ton of houses for the range price.

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

This is good information, thank you all. Now to see what's available in the 200-350 range. Initial search on Zillow doesn't show much, unfortunately

I am a Realtor in that area. Let me know if I can help.

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by Annemieke Roell

I am a Realtor in that area. Let me know if I can help.

Why does your location say "OK?" Are you a new realtor to the Gulf Shores area?

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

Why does your location say "OK?" Are you a new realtor to the Gulf Shores area?

I am in the process of moving but already work in Mobile and Baldwin counties