Picturesque Fairhope, Alabama Offers Old-Fashioned Southern Charm

Cost-of-Living:  Below U.S. National Average

This quaint southern town of 12,000 people is located on a bluff along 2.5 miles of beach on the eastern shore of Alabama's Mobile Bay, roughly 25 miles to the east of Mobile and 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.  First established in 1894 as an experimental colony by a group of tax reformers, Fairhope today is progressive, affordable, well-kept and has won national recognition for its gorgeous parks, flower beds and dedication to preserving the large moss-covered oak trees that dot the town (gardening is a way-of-life here).  Retirees comprise nearly 25% of the population, and many artists, writers and craftsmen are also attracted to Fairhope's vibrant cultural climate and sweeping waterfront vistas.

Although Fairhope's overall cost-of-living is below the national average, with utilities and taxes less than in other parts of the country, real estate costs are higher than in other areas of Alabama.    Rock Creek is a beautiful master-planned golf community with homes (3 bedrooms, 2 baths) starting at $245,000.  Lot prices begin at $55,000 and at $135,000 for locations along the championship, 18 hole golf course.  Quail Creek is another planned development built around a golf course and has single-family homes with 1,800 square feet starting at around $200,000.  

Single family homes, many with large lots and beautiful gardens, are found throughout Fairhope and start in the high $100,000s.  We found a lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath cottage-style home in town with 1,600 square feet and a carport for $175,000.   Another of similar style and size on a lot with huge oak trees was $195,000.  The Hollowbrook neighborhood, where many retirees choose to live, offers very attractive 2 and 3 bedroom homes with all-brick maintenance-free exteriors and two-car attached garages starting in the $170,000s.  Miller's Crossing is a new community with 2 and 3 bedroom homes from the $160,000s.   Homes with waterfront views start in the high $300,000s and go much higher.   There are a limited number of town homes and condominiums for sale.  One of the newest condo projects is Gayfer Condominiums (877-399-7480) where prices begin at $225,000 for 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths.

Fairhope has a handful of manufactured home communities, including Key Allegro Villas (334-990-0009) which caters to seniors.    As of this writing, however, no homes were for sale.    Apartment living options include Arbor Gates, a lovely, well-maintained complex with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units available.   Monthly rents begin at $590 for 840 square feet (1 bedroom and 1 bath) and top out at $850 for 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Additional fees include a $250 security deposit, $40 application fee and $300 pet fee (little dogs and average-size cats accepted), if applicable.

Real estate taxes are $42 per $1,000 of assessed value and homes are assessed at 10% of value.  There is a homestead exemption of $5,000 for those older than 65 and who have $12,000 or less gross income per year.

For those seeking assisted living facilities, Homestead Village (800-395-3864) is a residential senior community with homes and condos for sale and apartments for rent, depending on the level of care needed.  An "aging in place" philosophy is employed, allowing seniors the option of staying in the community as they grow older.  Residents will find a total of seven assisted living facilities and five nursing homes in Fairhope and nearby.

Fairhope has instituted strict zoning laws to ensure that it retains its picturesque quality and not grow too fast.   The downtown is lively, with shops, galleries and restaurants nestled along wide, tree-lined streets.   Each year, another 200 trees are planted throughout town, and colorful flower baskets hang from nearly every street lamp giving the town a storybook enchantment.   The waterfront is enjoyed by all and provides a lovely place to stroll in the evenings as the sun sets over the Bay and Mobile twinkles in the distance.

Quail Creek's golf course is open to the public (green fees are $24 for 18 holes), and the mild year-round climate makes golfing a pleasure nearly every day.  Boating enthusiasts will love that the marinas are so close and home to every kind of sailing and power boat imaginable.  Charters are available for fishing or just for taking a sail along the shore.

The beautiful Nix Center is a senior activity center that provides daily activities for those 50 and older and currently has 1,800 members.  Programs offered include sailing events, potluck lunches, dominos, pool & billiards, ballroom dancing lessons, support groups, ice cream socials, birthday parties, blood pressure screening, cooking classes and much more.

The biggest annual event, the Arts and Crafts Festival, occurs the third weekend in March and is one of the oldest and largest festivals of its kind in the South.   Each year, hundreds of artists and fine craftsmen from around the U.S. and overseas come to this prestigious three-day event to show and sell their wares to crowds estimated at 150,000.  The nation's largest one-day sailing regatta takes place the third weekend in April on Mobile Bay, and the yearly Jubilee, when bottom-dwelling fish, shrimp and crabs rush en masse to the shore to meet eagerly awaiting residents with scoops and buckets in hand, is not to be missed.

Health care services in Fairhope are quite good.  Thomas Hospital is a 150-bed facility that offers 24 hour emergency services and acute care, and Mercy Medical offers home health care and sub-acute care.  Further options are available in Mobile just across the Bay.

It gets hot and muggy during the summer here (low 90s with 70% humidity are the average), but the nearby water helps mitigate the temperatures.  Winters are quite nice, with temperatures in the 60s and low 40s.  Taking a walk along the Bay on a cool winter morning is like stepping into romantic, southern novel.  Moss-draped oak trees appear and disappear in the milky fog and everyday sounds become muffled.   Spring is a lovely time to visit, and falls are marked by especially spectacular sunsets.  

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