"Fairhope is home to more published authors per capita than any place else in the country. At one point not many years back, three local writers were on the New York Times bestsellers' list at the same time: WEB Griffin, Winston Groom and Jimmy Buffett. One author suggested we have a billboard at the edge of town to declare 'Fairhope, Alabama, the home of more writers than readers!'" --Sonny Brewer, Fairhope author
Witty writers who can laugh off Alabama stereotypes make life in Fairhope a Southern sensation. When a city feels secure enough in its natural beauty and reputation that it has a website named Beautiful Fairhope, you know that city is bold, confident and gorgeous, basically the supermodel equivalent of an American city. Mobile Bay is the main factor in the community and its lifestyle. Water activities are prevalent, vacationing tourists stop by, and even land-loving sports enthusiasts get bay views at parks and trails along the water's edge. The warm climate makes Fairhope a favorite winter spot for those escaping the drudgery of snow shoveling and thermal underwear, and has especially enticed artists and writers over the years.
Real estate prices here may be at the very high end of the Alabama property spectrum, but only slightly above average when compared nationally
"Fairhope is home to more published authors per capita than any place else in the country. At one point not many years back, three local writers were on the New York Times bestsellers' list at the same time: WEB Griffin, Winston Groom and Jimmy Buffett. One author suggested we have a billboard at the edge of town to declare 'Fairhope, Alabama, the home of more writers than readers!'" --Sonny Brewer, Fairhope author
Witty writers who can laugh off Alabama stereotypes make life in Fairhope a Southern sensation. When a city feels secure enough in its natural beauty and reputation that it has a website named Beautiful Fairhope, you know that city is bold, confident and gorgeous, basically the supermodel equivalent of an American city. Mobile Bay is the main factor in the community and its lifestyle. Water activities are prevalent, vacationing tourists stop by, and even land-loving sports enthusiasts get bay views at parks and trails along the water's edge. The warm climate makes Fairhope a favorite winter spot for those escaping the drudgery of snow shoveling and thermal underwear, and has especially enticed artists and writers over the years.
Moving to Fairhope
Real estate prices here may be at the very high end of the Alabama property spectrum, but only slightly above average when compared nationally. Renters will experience higher rents here than in practically any other Alabama city. A creative coastal enclave where the crabs are fat, bike paths are plentiful, festivals are frequent, and the bay views are breathtaking, you will be all too happy to fork over the rent money every month.
Consider an all utilities paid unit, so that the rent covers more than just a place to hang your beach towel to dry. Located on Mobile Bay in what the locals call Lower Alabama and shorten to LA; this LA has sweeter tea, less traffic, and neighbors more familiar with Southern hospitality and fishing poles than the LA on the West Coast. Rental units are especially easy to find, as short- and long-term renters frequent Fairhope, and moving is made easy by the array of furnished rental properties. Traveling light is fine, but sunscreen, an umbrella, and a car are three things that residents find especially necessary when living here.
Fairhope Neighborhoods
The entirety of Fairhope is loosely divided into two main sections; the north and south. The division is laid by the aptly named Fairhope Avenue, which conveniently runs down the middle of the city (in case you were confused about where you were). The two areas have distinct personalities, and it is important to research both thoroughly before committing to a new spot to call home.
North Fairhope: Everything North of Fairhope Avenue is designated as North Fairhope, which is easy to remember even if you have been out in the sun all day. Those who settle in this section of the city are opting to live near the Fairhope Museum of History, the Fairhope Yacht Club, and the Fly Creek Marina. Parks are plentiful with the azalea bushes of Knoll Park and North Bluff Park bordering Mobile Bay. Apartment hunters have options here with Arbor Gates Apartments, which features one-bedroom apartments for rent or two- to three-bedroom options, and you can even pay rent online. Hello 21st century! The Palladian at Fairhope offers some tempting amenities as well with single-car garages, high ceilings, pet-friendly apartments and a salt water pool just in case you weren't swallowing enough salt water in the bay.
South Fairhope: South of Fairhope Avenue lies South Fairhope, where the mix of renters and owners is pretty similar to the north neighborhood. The housing options here vary from three-bedroom houses for rent to duplexes on the bay. The far south streets bearing names of fruits and nuts serve up characteristic summer cottages from the days before central air was in Alabama homes, and thus feature the screened-in porches that once helped summer night breezes to pass through. The Fels Avenue cottages are clustered near Mobile Street and tend to attract beach town residents eager to make use of the walking and bike paths along Mobile Bay. Magnolia Beach Townhomes is one of the many rental property communities found in the same neighborhood as great shopping and Magnolia Beach Park.
Fairhope Lifestyle
Birding, fishing, and rose garden strolling are activities offered by Fairhope's parks and recreation areas. The Municipal Pier and its park have been the hub of community life in Fairhope since 1894. Quickly rebuilt after that horrible hurricane named Katrina rolled through town, it is back up and attracting locals and tourists alike. Feel smug as a resident of Fairhope when you enjoy picnicking and feeding the ducks for free during the summer while tourists have to pay a small admission fee.
Antique shows are another common feature of the Fairhope social scene, but if you have enough china and Tiffany lamps, focus on new creations at the 1st Friday Art Walks, which are held every month except December. October's 1st Friday Art Walk is definitely an event not to miss, as it is super-sized into the weekend-long Grand Festival of Art. Festing is a common pastime down South and other local festivals include the LA Songwriters Festival and the Arts and Crafts Festival. When looking for places to rent in Fairhope, remember that whether you love porch swings and lush gardens or better identify with the beach towels and sunglasses set, it all fits into the city that has been listed as one of the best small towns in the South by Southern Living magazine.
