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Lydia Cook housing

First time home buyer in Mobile

First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $1,029/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $170,300 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
17 upvotes

3 Replies

Landon
wish I knew this sooner
39 upvotes
Everly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Arianna B.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
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