re: Mobile Alabama/ Gulf Coast

I never felt unsafe in downtown Mobile. I just didn't care for it.

I liked Fish House and Seville Quarter in Pcola a lot better. Few other bars in Pcola I liked as well though I can't remember the name. They had a late night club that would suck at times, but was pretty solid at times too. Never found that in Mobile.

Of course NOLA is easily doable from Mobile but a good hour further from Pcola if you like that.

I really enjoyed the year I rented a condo in West Gulf Shores, then Perdido, then OB and enjoyed the summertime beaches and bars at night then did the drive to Pcola or NOLA on weekends. OB and Gulf Shores win by a LOT during the summer. Everyone from Daphne, Fairhope, and Mobile drive down over the weekends a lot as well during the summer.

Gulf Breeze is a great area to live. Some of the best schools. Minutes to beach.

Best options (I'm from Baldwin County)

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Perdido Key All pretty much the same

Fairhope

Spanish Fort

In that order

Hands down Fairhope. Best little town village there is. A honeypot. I will move back there when I can. The safest city in the south. You can always go to mobile or Pcola if you want to get out. Do it.

I'm born/raised from BR, live in Mobile now and really enjoy it. It has some very similar characteristics when compared to both BR & Nola. Midtown is where you want to be. That's where I am. Bought a house two years ago and it's right near all the notable action.

Not as much into nightlife since I moved there but I met an awesome girl there and we enjoy the music scene and the local arts scene that is real big in Mobile. We also really enjoy the proximity to Nola.

Crime rates are comparable to BR and Nola so ugly side of it but just like with those cities it's typically isolated to areas that you won't frequent. I had my laptop stolen out of my car one night but other than that I've never felt unsafe.

One person suggested D'Iberville neighborhood. That's also a good choice, like the guy said off spring hill. Lots of young couples there.

As I was told when I moved there two years ago by poster known as "Golfer" who I'm friends with from LSU and he was from Mobile, Midtown is where you want to be. It's a well-rounded spot. Not perfect, but what place is?

Also so you know, I'm 45 mins from Dauphin Island beach and 55 mins from Orange Beach (using new route), so it's convenient to a lot.

P.S. My work has me traveling a good bit too within the region and I don't have any complaints about Mobile's relation to the rest of my travels.

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Gulf Breeze is a great area to live. Some of the best schools. Minutes to beach.

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You ain't renting much in Gulf Breeze..it's a family area, besides, I got a place there, too and we're over capacity on coonasses.
Seriously, Around downtown or historic Pensacola would be ideal for you. You can walk to all the bars, joints, and very good restaurants and they often have festivals where everything downtown is open late (like Bourbon ST.). Also, the cost of living in P'cola is very reasonable. The city of P'cola isn't a tourist town, so it's not seasonal at all. UWF and PSC students are all over the place. I've been in the area for 25 years and don't remember talking to anyone who came and didn't like the place...for what it's worth.

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Few other bars in Pcola I liked as well though I can't remember the name. They had a late night club that would suck at times, but was pretty solid at times too. Never found that in Mobile.
Not surprised. There's a vibrant gay and lesbian community in the area.

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Bars in mobile don't have any specific hour, so there's no need for an after hours club. I've drank on. Dauphin St till post 4-5 am.

And of course Pensacola has a vibrant gay scene. It's a Navy town.

My wife and I have lived in Mobile since 1997, and have loved it. When we moved here, we moved into an awesome house in midtown (N. Reed Avenue) with a big wrap around porch. Real friendly neighborhood, and we never had any crime issues. I work downtown, and walk everywhere, even at night. Very safe--no real crime to speak of in the main areas, although you should always be careful if you get on some back streets. I am in my 40's with three kids, so not really hitting the bars too much these days scene, but we do have a pretty thriving downtown bar scene if that is your thing.

FYI, you will eat well here. Best seafood (multiple restaurants) and the best burger joint (Callaghan's) in the area.

Downtown Pensacola or Pensacola Beach if you don't want to go further East to Destin.

I've lived in Navarre, FL since 97 so I have spent time all over the Panhandle and S. Alabama.

Mobile sux.