Mobile/Fairhope questions

522 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by OnTheFence, Jun 12, 2005

purpleblossoms

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2005

Hi Ladies,
I've never posted over here so I should probably introduce myself first. I'm Lori, WAHM to two boys ages 5 and 1. We currently live in Asheville, NC but are starting to think about possibly relocating sometime within the next 2 years. My husband and I are both originally from Mississippi and we have lots of family there. As parents and grandparents are beginning to age we feel like we need to be closer to home.
So I have some, ok alot, of questions about Mobile. Please feel free to comment on any or all of these topics, but don't get overwhelmed trying to answer all of my questions

From what I have researched about Mobile I get the idea that it is kind of an upward moving city with some historic preservation and revitalization going on. For those of you who live there would you agree?
What are the schools like? Do any of you like the public school system there? Are there any charter schools?
Do you know how Alabama schools deal with the issue of non-vaxed children?
Are there any alternative or liberal health care providers? Any Eastern/Chinese medicine being practiced in the area?
Is there a good health food store?
Are there many parents practicing AP?
What is the music scene like?
How far of a drive is it to the beach?
Are there many people who surf on the Gulf Coast beaches? (this question is for my husband

)
How much would it cost to rent a 3 bedroom house in a nice (possibly historic) area?
Where would be a good place to buy an older house to restore? Is this being done alot in Mobile?
Is there a Thai restaurant :LOL ?

OK, I know that's alot of questions. Like I said earlier, I just want any information that you Mobile moms have to offer. Thanks in advance!

-Lori

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Ligmom

· #2 · Jun 3, 2005

Hi Lori,
Good to "meet" you

I have lived in Mobile for most of my life, and I would be glad to try to answer as many of your questions as I can.

From what I have researched about Mobile I get the idea that it is kind of an upward moving city with some historic preservation and revitalization going on. For those of you who live there would you agree?
I think that's pretty accurate. Most of the preservation and revitalization is downtown in the oldest area of the city. Mobile is a strange blend of people who want to move forward and people hanging on to the past with all their might. It's starting to work out though I think.

What are the schools like? Do any of you like the public school system there? Are there any charter schools?
Honestly, the public school system is not in good shape here right now. There are a few good public schools, but the school board has been torn with controversy for several years now, and funding is always lower than it should be. There are LOTS of private and parochial schools here and even a couple of Montessori schools for younger children.

Do you know how Alabama schools deal with the issue of non-vaxed children?

In Alabama you can file for a religious exemption card or a medical exemption card. You have to turn in the card (or a copy?) to the school in the place of the vaccination record.

Are there any alternative or liberal health care providers? Any Eastern/Chinese medicine being practiced in the area?

There are lots of chiropractors, one acupuncturists (maybe on the Eastern Shore), and a naturopath in Malbis (on the Eastern Shore).

Is there a good health food store?

Yes, there are several good health food stores in the area. There is a Fresh Market, and some of the grocery stores (like Target and even Walmart)sell some organic produce and natural food items. There are also co-ops.

Are there many parents practicing AP?

There are some. Most of the parents here are still more mainstream. We do have a LLL group--a good place find some other AP moms.

What is the music scene like?

???

How far of a drive is it to the beach?

Depends on where you live. 45 minutes-1 hour

Are there many people who surf on the Gulf Coast beaches? (this question is for my husband )

Yes, my DH is a surfer also. Check out www.dauphinislandsurf.com

How much would it cost to rent a 3 bedroom house in a nice (possibly historic) area?

$700/$800 ? www.dauphinrealty.com

Where would be a good place to buy an older house to restore? Is this being done alot in Mobile?

Yes, In the mid-town area or down-town.

Is there a Thai restaurant ?

Yes

HTH, These answers are for Mobile. I try to answer for Fairhope later.

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OnTheFence

· #3 · Jun 6, 2005

I live in Mobile, not far from Ligmom!

I think she answered your questions fairly well.

In the spring and fall we also have Market on the Square that sells local produce, some of it organic. Its been a little too hot in my state to mosey down there this spring, but its nice. We also have several fruit and veggie stands that sell local produce.

Our public schools are in a constant state of chaos, but some districts are better than others. I live in a fairly good school district (it has its problems doing the NCLB crap) and there are a few others, one located near the midtown/downtown area. The more downtown or into the city you get however, the worse the schools seem to get. Homeschooling is very populare here as are private schools. You will find quite a variety that is for sure.

I would say that most parents are mainstream - I'm OnTheFence. I joke about living here because there are certain things people seem to expect of children -- manners, saying yes maam and no maam, please and thank you. Also depending on where you live, people dress their children -- like jonjons, a-line dresses, monogramming, smocked bishops -- you get the idea -- old southern stuff.

We do have a pretty decent music scene here. Several festivals held locally, but more so in Baldwin County. There are a lot of clubs, various types that plan local and out of town bands. We have a symphony and several smaller "Pops" groups. I think you would find just about any kind of music around here, however we don't get "big" time concerts in our area very often. Pensacola and MS however do.

There are a variety of places to eat here and visit. I like Mobile, even with all its little quirks.

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purpleblossoms

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 9, 2005

Thanks so much to both of you for your detailed responses. My husband and I have been looking at Mobile information on the internet alot this past week. We hope to make a trip there this summer when we head to Mississippi to visit relatives.
The school situation is my biggest concern right now. My 5 year old will be starting kindergarten this fall at a local charter school that has really small class sizes and is, in my opinion, far from being mainstream. I was wondering if either of you could tell me a little bit more about which school districts in Mobile you feel are good and/or specifically which private schools you like.
Thanks again!

-Lori

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Moss's Mommy

· #5 · Jun 9, 2005

The beaches in Pensacola (also a pretty progressive osouthern place) have you visited them???? They are a 45 minute drive from Mobile... the most beautiful beaches (in my opinion) in the US... white sand and crystal blue water, like a swimming pool. There used to be a wonderful Tai restaurant in Mobile.. I'm sure it's still there... and there's also a great Indian food place.. I'm from Pensacola... we have a cheap, yummy Vietnamese place.. the music scene is good in Mobile from what I hear... and Pensacola has a really happening music scene.... come as you are, screw the monitors type thing, but it doesn't matter any way. Surfing can be good in Pensacola, the emerald coast. Yancey Spencer (some famous surfer is from there.)

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Ligmom

· #6 · Jun 10, 2005

I haven't really researched the public schools much b/c I homeschool. Some of the Elementary schools where I know happy parents are O'Rourke, E.R. Dickson, Mary B. Austin. Private schools range from very structured prep school types (UMS-Wright, St.Pauls), to Christian/Catholic schools (Faith Academy, Corpus Christi, St. Ignatius), to alternative (Montessori World, The Organic School (in Fairhope)). HTH

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OnTheFence

· #7 · Jun 12, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by purpleblossoms
Thanks so much to both of you for your detailed responses. My husband and I have been looking at Mobile information on the internet alot this past week. We hope to make a trip there this summer when we head to Mississippi to visit relatives.
The school situation is my biggest concern right now. My 5 year old will be starting kindergarten this fall at a local charter school that has really small class sizes and is, in my opinion, far from being mainstream. I was wondering if either of you could tell me a little bit more about which school districts in Mobile you feel are good and/or specifically which private schools you like.
Thanks again!

-Lori

I live in the Orourke school district. I found plenty of parents supportive of AP parenting -- breastfeeding, cosleeping, etc. However if you are looking for gentle parenting in the south, even the AP and NFL moms may not follow that premise. When my daughter was in K5 she had 17 children in her class. Most the parents were wonderful, educated people. Many had breastfed, and never blinked an eye when I had my nursing baby with me for school functions.

There are two local Montessoris I would recommend, one next door to Orourke, and one on Dauphin Street. The other "Montessori" is more like glorified daycare IMO. I am very picky about private schooling, as I have attended private schools. Education wise, I would send my child to St.Pauls or UMS-Wright but there is a snob factor there, while less at UMS-Wright. Some of the private schools here are way too conservative for my taste -- like MCS, Faith and Cottage Hill Baptist. My husband was a teacher in the public school system here, so if you have any questions let me know and I will try to help you out!

Kim

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