Boat owners and nature lovers are a good fit for Coden
Boats and bayous, seafood and serenity. Coastal living in Coden, thirty miles south of Mobile, is marked by a close connection to the water as well as a slower-pace of life – except at the shipbuilding docks, which exude modern industrial prowess. The greater Coden community, which sweeps in Bayou La Batre two miles north and Grand Bay just beyond, is close knit, in part thanks to all the shipbuilding and maritime industries. Front porches are a common home feature, and they set a welcoming coastal vibe across all types of properties, whether one which overlooks Portersville Bay or a 100-year-old farmhouse or a raised oceanfront cottage.
Rolston Park is a pretty place to admire Portersville Bay
If there’s water, there's likely a boat launch nearby in Coden and its surrounding communities, where fishing and boating are top recreational activities. There are also a number of community parks in and around town. “Rolston Park is on the water in Coden, and you also have Bosarge Park, where we like to take our little girl,” says Jennifer Tillman, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService and a Mobile area resident since 1982. “There is also a playground at Rolston Park.” Bosarge, which is in Bayou La Batre, and Rolston, which overlooks Portersville Bay, both have basketball courts, picnic tables and water access. Coden Belt Road near Royston Park is a stop on the Alabama Birding Trail.
Bosarge Park is a fun place to bring the kids in Coden.
Coden has many opportunities for bird watching along the coast.
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Boat launches are a popular amenity for homeowners
The neighborhood’s many front porches are relaxing spots for enjoying the bay breezes and scenic views. Some homes have direct access to the bay, a priority for boaters, while others bump against forests and wetlands. Prices range from $190,000 for a three-bedroom ranch-style home built in 1972 to $275,000 for a four-bedroom split level with a pool built in 1992. Spacious farmhouses and new builds range from $200,000 to $300,000. Coastal homes can be a bit more expensive, generally selling for between $250,000 and $600,000, depending on their size and indoor and outdoor amenities. Throughout Coden, yards are large, native trees and bushes are abundant and good fishing spots are very close by.
Many Coden homes are built close to the Gulf of Mexico.
Some Coden homes are older, Cottage Style builds.
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The Blessing of the Fleet is the first weekend in May
A priest blesses commercial and recreational boats during the first weekend in May in nearby Bayou La Batre to ensure a bountiful harvest and the safety of the crews. “They just had the Blessing of the Fleet in the Bayou. It’s old school. They cook a lot of seafood and there’s lots of vendors,” says Tillman, with lots of people showing up to see the blessing and buy crafts made by locals. The event includes a gumbo cook-off and land and boat parades.
Seafood restaurants near Coden come highly recommended
Boat-building companies and maritime businesses are a common sight, but commercial retail is limited in this small coastal community. The dining scene is slightly more expansive, however, and there are a number of highly rated seafood diners offering authentic Alabama-style dishes in nearby Bayou La Batre. Catalina Restaurant and The Lighthouse are two longtime favorites for seafood. The crab claws come highly recommended at The Lighthouse. Another local’s pick is Captain Frank’s Smoke Shack, which serves up BBQ sandwiches with slaw, and gumbo. Coden Grocery sells grocery essentials, but the nearest major supermarket is Greer’s in Bayou La Batre.
Catalina Seafood is a local Coden favorite for fresh fish.
Catalina Ice-Cream Shop is a fun stop for Coden residents craving something sweet.
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Bryant High has a top archery team
Students at Booth Elementary must wear a red polo shirt and navy pants pursuant to the dress code. Girls can also wear plaid pants or jumpers. Alba Middle earns a grade of B from Niche. Clubs at Alba Middle include archery, chess and robotics. Niche grades Alba a C+. After freshman year students at Mobile County schools enroll in a themed academy to direct their course of study. The signature academy at Bryant High School is Coastal Studies with learning pathways that include agriscience and maritime and industrial welding. Bryant also earns a C+.
Alma High School is where most Coden teens attend school.
Alba Middle School is another option for Coden children.
Anna F Booth Elementary School is where many Coden kids attend school.
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Coden is also near a major Walmart Distribution Center.
Coden is 30 miles from both Mobile and Pascagoula
Commuting typically involves travel by car, and residents rely on local roads to connect to larger highways for longer drives. State Highway 188 connects Coden to Interstate 10 as well as nearby coastal communities like Alabama Port. It’s roughly 30 miles to Downtown Mobile and about the same distance to Pascagoula.
Written By
Amy Balfour
Photography Contributed By
Justin Hartley
Video By
Jahlil Harris
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Coden, AL sell after 104 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Coden, AL over the last 12 months is $387,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Escape to tranquility at 5250 Lossing Rd, Lot 2, Coden, AL 36523-a unique opportunity to build your dream home on 5.92 +/- private acres nestled near the scenic West Fowl River. Surrounded by lush trees, this property offers unparalleled privacy and seclusion, making it the perfect retreat for those seeking a serene lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the beauty of nature at your
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a beautiful waterfront lot just under one acre! Featuring approximately 100 feet of water frontage and stretching about 400 feet deep, this property offers ample space to build and enjoy waterfront living. Perfectly positioned for both tranquility and convenience, the lot is located about one mile from the Bayou La Batre City Docks, currently under
Discover this 1.9-acre unrestricted lot in the charming Heron Bay community, perfect for RVs, a weekend getaway, or building your dream home. This property is ready to go with a power pole and mound system already installed, plus sewer and water available. Located just 15 minutes from Dauphin Island, you'll enjoy easy access to coastal living, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Newly renovated boat
Discover the potential of this prime piece of property offering over an acre of opportunity! Tucked away for privacy yet conveniently located near local seafood shops and state docks, this versatile parcel provides both residential and commercial potential with no restrictions.The area is thriving with steady job growth and development, and there’s an exciting 10-year improvement plan already
If you’ve been looking for your next potential home-site, commercial building location, or land investment, this tract could be for you. Located roughly 2 miles south of the Fowl River Bridge, this property features +/- 16 acres of raw, undeveloped land, +/- 210 ft of Dauphin Island Parkway road frontage, and all rights come with the sale of the property. This property has no zoning restrictions
This lot is on Bellingrath Rd and has water front to a canal that goes to west Fowl River. This would be a great place to build a home or a cabin to get away on weekends. Call Mike Ward at (251) 454-6767 for more information.
Discover a unique opportunity to own beautiful wooded acreage in a great location just west of the intersection of Bellingrath Road and Highway 188. Offering both commercial and residential potential, this versatile property is ideally positioned near West Fowl River, making it an attractive investment for business owners, developers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a homesite close to the
Todd EdwardsWhitetail Properties Real Estate LLC Elberta Branch
Short Term Rental Investment or your very own Bay Front Dream Home that doesn't require flood insurance. Enjoy the incredible moonrises, sunrises, jubilees, flounder gigging, soft shelling and cast netting that make Mobile Bay's western shore so desirable. The winding gravel road entrance offers mature trees for extra privacy. This one story home has bahama shutters and metal roof. Step into the
This versatile 32.88-acre property offers tremendous potential with no zoning restrictions, giving you the freedom to build, develop, or use the land as desired. Three-phase power, public sewer, and water are all available right at the street for easy access. A portion of the land has already been cleared, making it ready for immediate development or agricultural use, while the remaining natural
Four 40' x 140' lots that front Texas Street and back up to 5 lots that front Highway 188 in Coden, Al. Texas Street is a County Maintained gravel road in the Holiday Harbor / Alabama Port Subdivision. Access the property from Highway 188 or Texas Street. Commercial or residential possibilities with no restrictions. Close to Dauphin Island and a public boat launch is 10 minutes away.
Last developable parcel on the West side of Dauphin Island Parkway before getting on the Causeway to Dauphin Island. Directly across the street from the newly renovated Bayfront Park which now has Beautiful Beaches, Playground, Fishing, Boardwalk and more. This 6-acre, Unrestricted parcel has numerous possibilities including Commercial, Retail, Residential, Tiny Homes, RV Park or Spaces, Kayak
Undeveloped Bay Front lot waiting for your Dreams and Ideas. Lots on either side are also available. 66' x 406', water, sewer, and power available at the Parkway.
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