Brother's thinking of retiring in Fairhope, AL. Any comments from anyone on this area?

Of course personal comments are better, but you can google it and come up with a pretty neat website that tells you a lot about Fairhope. Never heard of it myself.

Clousie,

I live in Gulf Shores, about a half hour south of Fairhope. Fairhope is a very nice town, kind of artsy. Sits on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. Real estate prices are reasonable and easy access to both Mobile and Pensacola. Gulf is only a half hour away. If you have any specific questions, let me know and I'll try to help.

Isn't that where the Emperor Clock company is located?

Waldo: Yes. Very nice little town...they keep flowers planted on the highways/ streets...jazz in the park (overlooking Mobile Bay) on the weekends, very nice art in the park shows, lots of antique/gift shops etc. Daphne/ Fairhope area is considered alittle more 'elite' than the Mobile area, but of course you're close enough to benefit from what that city offers as well. OSB.

i'm from jersey, but a few years ago i stayed with a family in fairhope who moved there after finally sending both children off to college.

it's a bit of an upscale/cute town area with quaint shops and beautiful nearby beaches. also, not too bad a drive to mobile.

right on the floribama gulf, it's so easy to pop over to florida for a little vacation. i actually went from fairhope to seaside and sea grove for a few days.

new orleans is also within driving distance for a day or weekend trip.

but forget the side trips. my general reaction to fairhope is that it's absolutely delightful, and the people i know there are loving it, and are so glad they indulged themselves by moving there.

Stephanie:

Also from Jersey...imagine your friends are finding a much lower cost of living.

Do they mind the heat in the summer? Any damage from the hurricanes this fall?

the fam in bama have always lived in, well, bama. i met their daughter in college. boston. and went home with her one spring break.

so they're used to the heat and, as for the price, it's a bit more than what they were used to (i believe) while in birmingham and then mobile.

as for the hurricanes, they did end up evacuating and spending time with their son in tuscaloosa, but i'm not sure if there ended up being much damage in the long run.

Steph seems to be right on! My home town is Mobile. Sis has lived in Daphne and later Fairhope, for over 20 years now.
No Steph, NOBODY is used to that humidity/heat! You just deal with it! Ivan just missed Fairhope (very narrowly!) and got Gulf Shores, Perdido and on over to Pensacola and Gulf Breeze and Destin somewhat.
The original prediction had it making a direct hit on Mobile, but they rarely do exactly what is predicted, therefore, it is wise to seek higher ground if one is on the way! Frederick DID make a direct hit in 1979. We had no electricity for 3 weeks after. Get a generator! Have gas stove top/oven! Get a good 'bug' contract!
The pecan orchards, soybean fields are now giving way to subdivisions, condos and shopping centers. People in Mobile think the people in Baldwin Co. consider themselves "better". Maybe so, but I know people on both sides of the bay and
I like them all, but prefer Baldwin Co. to live!

Fairhope is my town. We have lived here for the past 7 years and I must say it is wonderful.
A nice small artsy/craftsy town. We have a little theatre, an arts center, soon a new library, a wonderful shoreline on the bay and a great pier when its replaced (hurricane), some decent restaurants, no city sales tax yet, old oaks and magnolias. Little traffic off 98, pretty downtown as mentioned. The weather is fine, good medical care now, a responsive city gov't and police. good vets and a non-kill animal shelter, good birding, monarchs fly thru, hummingbirds galore.

All the churches seem to be here. Elks , both vet organizations, restaurant downtown where they know you by name as does my bank.
Easy to get repairmen.
Utilities seem to be average

Y'all come see us now

What's the name of that good country restaurant downtown with the Great chicken salad...Judith's or something? OSB.

Funny you should ask! My 82 yr old mother just went back to work there--JULWYN'S. She has "retired" three times from there but they always ask her to come back. So now she works Tuesdays!!

PS Sandra's - two blocks towards the bay also has great chicken salad

Thanks! I may try Sandra's but doubt they can top Julwynn's! Good for your 82 yo mother! That's great! Belle.