Got a family member likely moving there. They will be working a large area so exactly where they live is not critical. Would prefer something east of the bay. Bay minette/foley/fairhope/Spanish fort area

Orange Beach.

A lot depends on budget, spanish fort and fairhope would be my choices.

If living on the Eastern Shore is necessary, I'd live in Bay Minette. It's more "country living" than mid-Baldwin County (Daphne, Fairhope, SF, etc). It would make for a long commute, but the traffic on the bayway would be avoided (bayway traffic, from Spring Break until Labor Day is crazy, especially on Fridays (eastbound) and Sundays (westbound).

If traffic is no concern, either Daphne or Spanish Fort would be OK, as they'd be minutes from I-10.


If they'd prefer the west side of the bay, I'd suggest Saraland, Satsuma, or Creola. Easy access to I-65, 10-15 minutes from Mobile, and traffic isn't too bad.

Fairhope would get my vote

Bay Minette is starting to have some crime issues from what I've heard. Stockton is a beautiful area if you can find something for sale.
I'm biased, but Saraland, Satsuma and Creola to me are probably the best in my opinion when factoring in traffic and convenience to Mobile, but Saraland is starting to get some traffic issues around rush hour. I love living out Celeste Road where there are some pretty hills to look at.

The areas you listed are not in Mobile... If he's wanting to live in Mobile, I'd pick West Mobile out around Snow Rd and Airport. I'm from Satsuma and when I was stationed at ATC, I lived in West Mobile both times. Puts you on the far end of the traffic jam. You just need to run Airport before 0700 if ya want to hit the interstate.

BamaFan64--PM sent

Of the ones you guys recommend which ones have the best schools?

All of the eastern shore schools listed are and or will be having issues with over crowding. There are a large number of people leaving Mobile and moving to the east side. Fairhope would be my first choice, followed by Spanish Fort.

as far away from Prichard as you can get..

Baldwin county and west, northwest and the northern part of Mobile county. All great schools and I should know.

The new Saraland and Satsuma school systems seem to be doing very well. I'd imagine Chickasaw has improved, too, since leaving Mobile County's system, but that area is declining rapidly.

Is your family member going to be working in Mobile? If so is it a 9-5 Monday thru Friday? If the answer is yes there's no way I'd live across the bay. Fighting the tunnel traffic every day and don't even dream of getting home within an hour on summer Fridays. In Mobile I'd say West Mobile. Lots of new neighborhoods for different income levels out there.

As far as schools go, private or public? Baldwin county public schools are better than Mobile public schools, but Mobile does have some damn fine private schools. Baker High School(public school) is most of West Mobile's area and it gives back what you put into it. My wife went there and then graduated in accounting with a 3.98 gpa. That said I've known some that never did anything with there lives that went there. If their kids are looking for a good education and to use sports to help pay for college send them to UMS or St. Pauls private schools.

Dave, it is flexible hours but I did forget about that tunnel. Looks like north might be best for her with easy access to I65

If the hours are flexible enough where you don't have to do the morning and evening rush hour traffic the bay crossing is not that bad. I would not live on the eastern shore if I had to go home in 5 o'clock traffic every day. I also don't know of any public school in the city limits of mobile I would send my kids to. Maybe a couple in the west mobile area but that is all.

Prichard Alabama !!!

The tunnel was built to handle on an average of 40,000 vehicles a day to maintain a steady flow of traffic. It averages seventy plus daily and on Fridays in the summer close to a hundred. Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day well over 100,000. That's why I'll go out of the way to the African town bridge if I'm going to the eastern shore.

Hell Prichard was nice before well I'm not gonna say..

I agree 100% but shut your mouth...there's enough yuppies out here already!