Mobile

As older suburban neighborhoods in west Mobile adapt and change to shifting 21st-century landscapes, the ones that lead the way enjoy practical advantages. Airmont, with its location at the convergence of Interstate 65 and Highway 90, is facing “a big transformation,” according to Hanna Rudzinsky, a Realtor with Salt Coast Realty, a Mobile native, and a real estate agent for more than four years. “With its super convenient location near interstates, proximity to downtown Mobile, and new retail projects coming soon, Airmont is getting ready to see notable appreciation.” Airmont is a suburban neighborhood that is established and settled. People who move in tend to stay for a long time. Many homeowners have lived here for more than 30 or 40 years. With a population of about 2,200 people, about half of the homes are owner-occupied, while the rest are rentals. Realtor Rudzindky explains, “Historically, homes in Airmont have not had high resale value, but that’s starting to change. Homes used to sell for less than $100,000, but today the average home price is much higher. And that’s partly thanks to new retail developments, like Top Golf.” The most notable natural attraction in Airmont is The Dog River, an 8-mile-long brackish river that runs north from Mobile, through Airmont, and then south to Mobile Bay. It is exceedingly popular with local fishing fans who can catch bass, croaker, speckled trout and flounder. Websites are dedicated to the river’s history, water quality and daily fishing reports. While the median single-family home price in the first quarter of 2024 was $187,500, ranch-style homes have recently sold from $120,000 to $300,000. Buyers will find plenty of ranch-style homes with or without an attached garage. Buyers can also find cottages, bungalows and Colonial-Revival homes. There are sidewalks in some parts of the neighborhood, but others feature paved drainage systems on street sides. Many homes in Airmont have direct and private access to The Dog River. Those who don’t will find several public boat launches nearby. Most residents in and around Airmont drive to get to school, work, or shopping destinations. WAVE Transit provides bus transportation for the City of Mobile, while Greyhound has a bus station along Route 90 and Pinehill Drive. Students in Airmont can attend public schools in the Mobile County Schools district, which has an overall Niche score of B-minus. Kate Shepard Elementary has a B-minus Niche grade, while Chastang-Fournier K-8 School has a C-minus grade from Niche. Denton Magnet School of Technology offers grades 6-8 and has an overall B-plus Niche grade. It is next door to B-plus-rated Davidson High, which offers specialized academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement and an Engineering Academy. Students can participate in clubs like dance, robotics, theater and the National Honor Society. Students can attend college at Faulkner University, just 2 miles north of Airmont. Bishop State Community College is 8 miles northeast of the neighborhood and is known for its skilled workforce training programs in nursing, robotics and industrial maintenance. CVS on Cottage Hill Road meets residents’ pharmaceutical and non-produce needs. Greer’s CashSaver, Saigon Supermarket and a Walmart Neighborhood Market offer groceries inside the neighborhood. Nearby shopping destinations include Costco at McGowin Park Shopping Center, and Target just off Bel Air Boulevard. For casual dining, Jamaican Vibes features a selection of Caribbean dishes with fresh sides including mixed vegetables, cabbage, yellow yams or fried plantains. Big Time Diner draws crowds for its 1950s atmosphere and its Southern-style menu featuring fried green tomatoes, crab claws and a variety of po’boys. All Sports Bar & Billiards has a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere, with pool tables and an open bar. Be aware: Visitors are welcome to smoke. Sky Ranch Park is a small, open green space on the south side of Airmont filled with azaleas, Live Oak trees and picnic tables. Paved walking paths allow visitors to enjoy the massive trees and their abundant shade. Semi-private Heron Lakes Country Club features an 18-hole golf course and hosts several golf-centric events, like the November Night Light Scramble. Little Leaguers play games in spring and summer at Matthews Park, which has batting cages, a concession stand and plenty of shade trees. McGill Toolen High plays its local baseball games at Matthews Park. Stotts Park has gained popularity with its new pickleball courts and recently resurfaced basketball courts. “The opening of Top Golf has been huge news for Airmont and the local area. From date night to major work events, it’s become a major hot spot for golfers and non-golfers alike,” says Realtor Rudzinsky. While residents will head to downtown Mobile and waterfront for festivals and events year-round, a big attraction across the bay is the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival held each April at the Loxley Municipal Park. The Mobile Flea Market on Schillinger Road North claims to be the largest flea market on the Gulf Coast. Airmont has a Cap Index Crime Score of 5 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. In March 2024, The Mobile Police Department released its annual crime statistics which reported a reduction in burglary, rape and homicide from 2022 to 2023 in the Mobile metro area.

Arlington offers residents a quiet slice of suburbia just minutes from downtown Mobile's museums, dining and entertainment. The purely residential neighborhood is only a few blocks from the riverfront and the beautiful Arlington Park. Homes here run from $25,000 to $40,000. You'll find historic craftsman cottages with brightly painted porches and full-brick ranch-style houses. Many area homes have roomy backyards, perfect for tossing a frisbee or enjoying a barbecue with the neighbors. Children in the area attend Craighead Elementary School, home of the Baby Lions. Area teens attend Williamson High School. Williamson was just a tiny neighborhood schoolhouse when it started in 1916. The school was named after one of its early principals, Lillie B. Williamson. In 1968, the school finally expanded to its current size. Today the school prepares students for the future workforce with its academies, which include the Academy of Maritime, Academy of Engineering, Academy of Entrepreneurship and the Academy of Faulkner Career Tech Center. Beyond the school's academies, students also benefit from living close to the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, which offers an Academy of Craft Training for high school. The academy prepares students for careers in construction by allowing them to learn directly from industry professionals, work as interns for local construction companies and even receive job offers once they graduate. The program even provides credits that can count toward their high school diploma. Students can learn building construction, electrical, HVAC, interior and exterior finishes, welding and piping skills. The Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley serves as the transportation and industrial epicenter of the Central Gulf Coast. Owned by the Mobile Airport Authority, the Mobile Aeroplex partners with area communities to make a positive impact on the local economy. When residents want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Mobile River, they head to Arlington Park. Visitors can watch the sunset over the water from the park's boardwalk and pier, perhaps while waiting for a fish to take the bait. It's also a prime spot for birding, with unobstructed close views of the bay that many coastal birds call home. The park offers a mile-long trail for bikers and hikers to take in the scenery. People can gather for picnics or barbeques and sit under the park's gazebos. The sparkling river isn't just there to look pretty—locals can use the park's kayak and canoe launch to explore the river out to Mobile Bay. When the Port Authority created the park, they did it with minimizing stormwater impact on the bay in mind. They incorporated 2.6 acres of pervious concrete into the park's design in various locations. Pervious concrete is environmentally friendly and allows stormwater runoff, vehicle oils and other pollutants to penetrate the concrete's open pore structure when it rains instead of running into storm drains and the bays. A lighter color, the pavement also absorbs less heat, making the park a little cooler in the hot Alabama summer. When area tummies grumble, there are a few local restaurants locals can rely on. First is Chop Suey Mobile, offering Chinese takeout favorites. Also nearby is Regina's Kitchen, which is covered in kitschy, local memorabilia and art. The local gem serves deli sandwich staples and is a popular lunch spot for the community. For more variety, residents simply need to drive a few minutes to downtown, where there is a plethora of dining options. Arlington is a simple and quiet community that appeals for its suburban charm and proximity to the beautiful riverside. Whenever locals crave a fun evening out, Mobile's downtown area is a quick drive away.

Baker is a scenic exurb at the edge of greater Mobile which in recent years has seen the development of many new planned communities, offering homebuyers a range of modern housing options alongside a large selection of mid- and early 20th century homes. The neighborhood’s biggest selling point, apart from its pleasant rural scenery, is its proximity to Mobile Regional Airport, located just a mile from the neighborhood on State Highway 56. The airport is surrounded by retail and dining, giving Baker residents easy access to extensive amenities. Baker’s residential offerings are, without a doubt, the neighborhood’s defining feature. The neighborhood has been a popular suburban landing spot for decades, but recently it has seen a surge of development. Despite this, it can be hard to find a home in the market, as residents tend to stay in the area for a while. Home styles range from medium-size mid-century options to more modern builds, many of which feature spacious layouts and high ceilings. Properties, both old and new, generally feature spacious yards, and it's common for properties to butt up against the forests that run through the community. A 2,000-square-foot ranch-style home with raised ceilings goes for around $300,000 in Baker, while more spacious modern builds often sell for $400,000 to $600,000. The public schools in and around Baker are overseen by the Mobile County Public Schools district and are generally considered fairly strong for the area. Elsie Collier Elementary and Bernice J. Causey Middle School both sport B grades on Niche. Baker High School, meanwhile, has a B-plus on the site and was the first school in Alabama to win a national Hi-Q Championship—the school is well-known for its academic quiz teams. While there aren’t any officially designated parks in the neighborhood, there are a number of options for locals looking to enjoy some time outside. Waterways in the area like scenic Miller Creek are perfect for fishing and even boating, both popular pastimes among locals. Those looking for a bit of exercise can always stop by the West Mobile Swim Club, which has been helping Baker residents keep cool on hot summer days for decades. While Baker itself is almost entirely residential, it’s less than a mile from a major commercial hub: the Mobile Regional Airport. While the airport doesn’t see nearly as much passenger traffic as Mobile International Airport, it does offer regular flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. For most Baker residents, the airport isn’t as important as the extensive shopping and dining options that surround it. Airport Boulevard connects the neighborhood with dozens of department stores, from Hobby Lobby to Walmart to Home Depot, along with a variety of locally owned shops and supermarkets like Rouse’s and Aldi. The culinary offerings surrounding the airport are similarly impressive. Locals are less than a mile from dozens of popular eateries, from chains like Golden Corral to popular local eateries like highly-rated Joe’s Pizza. There isn’t any public transportation in the neighborhood to speak of, so car ownership is a must. Downtown Mobile is a 16-mile drive from the neighborhood; however, there aren’t any interstates near the neighborhood so it usually takes about 30 minutes to get there.

Once the edge of a flourishing Black and creole community called Down the Bay, the neighborhood of Baltimore is, like many historic neighborhoods for people of color, still recovering from destruction in the name of urban renewal. Businesses closed and families fled, but revitalization is now in the air. Just 2 miles from Mobile’s city center, the primarily residential area features a centrally located park, plus easy access to the central business district, Mobile International Airport and Interstate-10. It’s also home to Alabama’s oldest bakery as well as a vibrant community center focused on neighborhood connection and youth empowerment. In 2021, a $6 million-dollar improvement project gave the area a giant boost. With its open green spaces, walking paths and sports facilities, Taylor Park dominates the center of Baltimore. Bright murals enliven the property, which boasts a sizable gymnasium, a pool, a baseball diamond and basketball courts. The Taylor Park Community Center is managed by the Inner City Mission of the United Methodist Church, which hosts numerous programs for area youth. In addition to organized sports like football, softball and baseball, the Mission offers after-school tutoring and a summer day-care program. A mixture of single-story ranches and bungalows, some with shaded carports, line Baltimore’s narrow streets. Lots are small and tightly spaced, with pocket-sized front yards. Many of the houses sold in Baltimore have been foreclosures. Many homes from the 1920s remain, but there are newer structures from the 1970s and ’80s in the mix, too. Homes tend to be single-story and on the smaller side, measuring around 1,300 to 1,600 square feet. Fixer-uppers can go for as low as $60,000, while updated homes are typically priced around $200,000. While there are sidewalks in this part of town, they’re more like paths — convenient for keeping out of traffic, but rough and overgrown in many places. The WAVE Transit System provides bus service throughout Mobile and includes stops along South Broad Street and Baltimore Street, two of the major thoroughfares that cut through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is adjacent to Interstate-10, and Mobile International Airport is just a couple miles away. Students in Baltimore start out at Erwin Craighead Elementary, followed by nearby Calloway-Smith Middle School and Lillie B. Williamson High School, each of which received a C-minus from Niche. South Broad Street is home to many area businesses, including Pollman’s Bake Shop — which has been operating from Mobile since 1918 — and Ladas Pharmacy, as well as a Dollar General for everyday essentials. There's also a Winn-Dixie out by Route 90, about two miles away. On Michigan Avenue, additional retail options include Michigan Seafood, Mobile Chop Suey, and Shop & Save Meat Market. Also nearby is the Riverfront Industrial Area, home to a wastewater treatment plant and an oil refinery. The industrial area is on the other side of the interstate whose construction decimated a large swath of the community in the 1970s. Mobile is considered the birthplace of Mardi Gras— not New Orleans. Celebrations here last for two and a half weeks with parades of brightly colored floats threading through the streets, filling the air with strings of beads and flying Moon Pies. Most parades stick to the area around the Mobile Civic Center and Bienville Square, but some routes pass along South Broad Street just a couple blocks from Baltimore, ensuring that the voice of the revelry can be heard throughout the neighborhood.

Mobile, Alabama’s Bayside community enjoys water access everywhere — from the northern Dog River, to the eastern bay, to Deer River intersecting the heart of Bayside. Residents sail down Dog River to waterfront restaurants and dock at marinas which are visible from the Dog River bridge. Bayside anglers gear up at Deer River Bait and Tackle and launch into Mobile Bay, speckled with watercraft of varying sizes. Homes in Bayside are also within a 10-mile commute to the nearby Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. Many homes in Bayside have private piers leading to covered docks and private beach access. Waterfront styles include two-stories with brightly painted balconies, cottages with screen porches, and elevated ranch styles with decks and stairways to the lawn. Further inland, single-story bungalows with pastel siding, and Cape Cods with dormers, blend into the housing mix. Says Vicki Lilley, Realtor with Diamond Properties, “I see a lot of homebuyers moving to the Mobile side of the bay because there’s not as much development here as there is in the Orange Beach touristy side. You get more affordable housing here, without the hustle and bustle of the city, and with loads of waterfront enjoyment. You can be in Gulf Shores in an hour and Dauphin Island within 15 or 20 minutes.” Pricing ranges from $155,000 for a 1960s fixer-upper on Dog River’s Alligator Bayou, to around $750,000 for a well-maintained 1960s three-bedroom brick rancher on the bay. Some streets curve along the water, and in the springtime, lawns are bursting with bright azaleas. At Hollinger’s Park Community Center, there’s a small, uncrowded beach for swimming or picnics. Exercise enthusiasts and local athletes appreciate the fitness and sports facilities at Trimmier Park, just 5 miles north across the Dog River Bridge. Lilley adds, “In Bayside, you’re not only closer to Mississippi, but you have the Intracoastal canals, which is just a beautiful ride. You’ll see manatees all along Dog River and loads of dolphins out on the bay. It’s really quite special.” Mobile County Public Schools earns a B-minus grade from Niche, and kids can start their journey at Hollinger’s Island Elementary, which Niche gives a C-plus Grade. Students then head to Katherine H. Hankins Middle, which earns a C from Niche. Older students move on to Theodore High, which earns a Niche C-plus and offers a new Distribution and Logistics Academy where students earn associate and technician certifications. Bayside residents are within 15 miles of the University of South Alabama’s Whitney Stadium and their new Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Seafood lovers dine on oysters, clams and fried catfish at the River Shack, featuring live music on weekends. At the Grand Mariner Restaurant, locals dig into steak, seafood and fried green tomatoes, at cozy bistro tables under red umbrellas. Since the 1960s, Hart’s Fried Chicken has been a Mobile go-to, so Bayside residents don’t mind the 8-mile trek north for Hart’s famous fried pickles and family chicken packs. Right near Hart’s, Mudbugs DIP stocks fresh-catch seafood, and locals check off larger grocery lists at Piggly Wiggly. Only 15 miles from Bayside, The Shoppes at Bel Air mall is packed with nearly 100 big-brand stores, small boutiques, professional services and dining from fancy to fast casual. Every year, fun-seekers drive 15 miles to Bellingrath Gardens & Home to delight in a breathtaking outdoor holiday lights display. And by far, the hottest event is the annual Mardi Gras in Downtown Mobile, filled with revelers of all ages decked in colorful masks, hats and costumes. Lilley adds, “Bayside is a great middle ground to reach Mississippi to the west or Baldwin County to the east, across Mobile Bay. There’s a ferry that takes you from Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan on the Gulf Shores.”