To live in Gulf Shores is to live near the Gulf of Mexico. "I vote we go to the Gulf of Mexico...Palm trees call me, oh that's the place I want to be. Down where the southern breezes blow. On the Gulf of Mexico" (Alabama, 'Gulf of Mexico').
Gulf Shores appears to be a sleepy beach town upon first glance, but just as you dip your feet in the ocean, you get stung -- by a giant jellyfish! Okay, they're not gigantic, but learning to avoid them is an important skill to acquire if you plan on swimming in the ocean. Gulf Shores is home to 9,741 people, and it is decidedly a beach city. There is no getting around this fact. Get used to the sand under your feet and the sea breeze at your back. A lot of places claim to have a golden coast, and for many that's arguably true. The Gulf Shores just states it has a big beach. There's no arguing that. The beach here is big. And there is gold to be found, so long as you bring a high-tech metal detector.
Moving to Gulf Shores
Palm trees give off a calm impression. You may get the sensation that every facet of life in Gulf Shores is worry-free. It's all cool on most days. Something you have to do can always be put off for tomorrow. However, you have to remember a jellyfish will occasionally sting you without warning. There are aspects of the housing market you must be ready to face. Otherwise, you will get stung, and it will be much worse than an actual jellyfish sting. Okay, it most likely won't be that terrible, but you get the picture.
No Type of Housing Dominates
To state the facts: just under one third of homes in Gulf Shores are detached one-unit houses, and just over one third of homes are apartments or condos within structures of 20 or more housing units. You have the option to live in a house, apartment or mobile home. You could even live on a yacht if you wanted. The cool thing is that all different types of rental properties in Gulf Shores are widely available, from houses near Little Lagoon to apartments overlooking Pelican Bay. It's like buying seafood at Fresh Market Seafood here; they undoubtedly have what you want, and it's in abundance. Feast!
Oh, How the Market Fluctuates!
People descend on the Gulf Shores from April through September. It is during this part of the year that openings in the Gulf Shores vanish. If you don't want to compete with the massive flock for condo rentals, this is not the time to migrate here. About 46 percent of the city rents, and a lot of that is short-term leasing during this time of year. It's so busy even the animals at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo take notice. The best advice is to listen to the birds. Don't come flying down here during the summer; wait for the fall or winter and then begin your descent. You'll discover that renting an apartment in December is hassle-free. You'll have an extensive list of choices, Realtors and landlords ready to cater to you, and more reasonable prices. If your personal situation requires that you move in the summer, then you have no choice. You probably won't have as many selections, but you'll get something satisfactory. It just might not be beside the beach, which means no feeding the seagulls. Don't you want to feed the seagulls?
Give Yourself Enough Time
This goes hand in hand with the trend mentioned above. During peak season (April to September), expect it to take two to four weeks to handle everything. Do your research beforehand and be quick to make a decision on a place. For example, if you fancy a one-bedroom apartment at Peppertree Apartments on Boddie Lane, make it clear you want the place and reserve it that day. If you think it over while sunbathing, it could be snatched by another ambitious renter. During slow season (October to March), you can find something and get everything situated in just a few days, depending on how picky you are. You can even sunbathe on it if that's what you need to do.
Tips and Warnings
Location can be a blessing and a curse. Situated in the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes and heavy storms do occur. Don't panic. Bad storms seldom happen, but it's best to be ready. Regardless of where you reside in Gulf Shores, you should have an emergency preparedness kit. You have to be ready to get out if something disastrous is about to strike. Before renting a place, you should inquire with the landlord or staff about the structural quality of the housing unit. Things such as the condition of the roofing, strength of garage doors and how well doors and windows seal should all be covered. Heavy rain can cause flooding in some mobile homes, duplexes and houses. You want to make sure the home doesn't leak, as water can damage your furniture, floors and valuables. Spots near the various bays in town, for instance, are particularly vulnerable. Due to this, purchasing a renters insurance policy that covers natural disaster damages is important. It is also very possible that your landlord may require you to purchase such protection.
Closing the Deal
Individual landlords want to see proof you can afford rent along with the first month's rent and deposit. Additionally, you may be responsible for Realtor expenses and purchasing insurance. Managed complexes are a little more thorough. On top of those things, they will ask for an application, residence history, and references from former landlords or management staff. Also, places in Gulf Shores vary on what utilities are included, so ask about that.
Gulf Shores Neighborhoods
No matter where you live, the beach will be close, but how close do you want to be? Do you want to step out onto the pristine sand or do you want something more inland? You can even get something near Shelby Lakes. That way, you could tell people you live beside a lake that's beside the sea!
Craft Farms: This is the most inland area of town. There's a lot of housing, from houses to one-bedroom apartments for rent. The Pelican Place at Craft Farms is a wonderful shopping destination. Craft Farms Golf Course and Jack Edwards National Airport are also here.
City Center: This neighborhood is close to the water and thus close to the action. Great restaurants such as Doc's Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar, West Beach Grille and Bahama Bob's Beach Side Cafe line the area. Surf, fish, boat and live it up. The Hangout Music Festival is also hosted here.
Fort Morgan: Water surrounds this neighborhood, which is a peninsula. Fort Morgan is the most historic landmark in Gulf Shores. Other notable highlights include Kiva Dunes and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
Living in Gulf Shores
A few weeks here and you will see a myriad of ways to get around. Personal cars dominate the roads, but biking is easy within town. If you live near the city center, you'll find walking to destinations like the Waterville USA shopping center rather easy. If you head to the beach, you'll see boats, surfboards and jet skis taking on the Gulf waters. Even the name indicates that Gulf Shores is a beach town, and that's not going to change. The way to enjoy your time here is to ride the waves, both figuratively and literally. Sure, a jellyfish may pop out and snap you every once in a while, but altogether, the water feels quite nice. The sand does too. Sit back and bask in all the glory. The town may appear sleepy at certain times, but that's just the picturesque, seductive surface. Gulf Shores offers the nightlife and dining at venues such as the Pink Pony Pub, Nolan's Restaurant and Lounge and Mudbugs Pub and Club. It has the scenery, parks and golfing, and it has a variety of housing options. What more could you want?
