Named for Cleveland Prichard who originally bought this space in 1879, this tract of land was originally a shipping area for vegetables going to the north and west of the country!
Prichard was incorporated as a town in Mobile County, Alabama, in 1925, after nearly 25 years of solid economic and population growth. Now home to a little less than 23,000 people, Prichard actually housed a much larger population during the 1960's. During the Second World War, this town became a bustling commercial city and continued to grow before experiencing a major population decrease in the 1970's onward. What do we have now? A well-balanced population with plenty of amenities and opportunities.
Moving to Prichard
As for real estate in Prichard, home values are back on the rise following a plummet in 2011 and 2012; the average cost of a home now is still stunningly low. What does that mean for new residents like you? It's a pretty fantastic time to buy real estate in Prichard! Rental homes in this city are available, making your apartment search budget no big deal. One- and two-bedroom apartments are going for much less than the average American apartment, while stand-alone houses for rent are priced only slightly higher per month. Looking for a great deal on a house? Prichard has three-bedroom, two-bath houses for rent available for at a cost that rivals that of a studio apartment in some cities.
Neighborhoods in Prichard, AL
Prichard borders the north side of Mobile, Alabama, offering nine neighborhoods.
8 Mile: Lies to the northwest of Prichard, and takes up nearly half of the city. It is more heavily treed than the southern portion of the city and sparsely populated.
St. Stephens and Whistler: Directly to the southeast of 8 Mile, these neighborhoods have a relatively high housing value as well, although the homes in these areas are more closely spaced.
Neely: A highly residential neighborhood with all sorts of housing.
Whistler Street: Not to be confused with the Whistler neighborhood, this area is centered along a major highway.
West Prichard Avenue and the City Center: These are the most affordable neighborhoods in which to find housing or apartment rentals, with more amenities and businesses located in the City Center.
West Prichard/South Wilson Avenue: A small, popular neighborhood with higher home values;
Plateau: A large neighborhood to the east of the city center, within a short walk to the tributaries of the Kennesaw River.
Work, Life and Entertainment in Prichard
There are plenty of things to do and see here. The University of Mobile is located in Prichard, as are two major libraries: the Prichard Public Library and the Mitchell Public Library. Are you a budding intellectual? This is just the place for you to settle down and read while sporting a fine set of smart-looking spectacles.
Not so much into the books? There's plenty of cool things for you to do and see in Prichard too! The Prichard Community Center regularly hosts arts and crafts events, dances and history programs that are open to the public. Join in to meet new people, learn about the historical events that shaped Prichard and even conquer the art of glass blowing! Sure, it has a small-town feel to it, but that's what attracts a lot of people to this city. If you need to blow off a little more steam than glass-blowing classes can afford you, Mobile is just a short drive away! As we all know, this isn't a bustling metropolis, so in terms of local dining, let's put it this way: if you love Church's Chicken, you're going to be very happy living in Prichard!
If you'd love to sink your teeth into a more rural lifestyle, visit the Chickasabogue Park at the northeast corner of Prichard for 1100 acres of fishing, hiking, biking, nature and fresh air. Set up a tent or bring down the RV for some not-so-old-fashioned camping, and wake up early to take out a canoe on the Mobile River Creek and fish for more than a dozen species, including bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and pickerel. You can even spend a day fishing and bring your catch back home for a BBQ party with family and friends -- just like in the good old days.
Try the Disc Golf, It's All the Rage
Disc golf, you say? Indeed! In fact, this innovative sport is one of the most popular activities at Chickasabogue Park. How does it work? The grounds are pretty much the same as a normal golf course (if it had 27 holes), except that they are designed to challenge a Frisbee throw. Instead of beating a golf ball around this course, you try to toss various Frisbees down the course and eventually into a basket representing the "hole." Like traditional golf, different types of Frisbees are used to drive and "putt" towards the basket. And believe it or not, this is a professional sporting ground, sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA.) Feel like learning disc golf for yourself? Come out and meet the local teams and hobby players! Every Thursday, a local tournament is held for those who aren't exactly professionals, but throughout the year, professional tournaments are held right here too! In fact, disc golf competitors from many parts of the American southeast journey to Prichard solely to take part in a disc golf tournament. As for the locals, they are the game's biggest fans. Every Halloween, Prichard hosts the Halloween Howler, which not only features a community tournament of disc golf, but also includes festively-decorated "holes," a cookout and awards.
Boasting a small-town feel with big-league sports enthusiasts, this is a pretty cool place to call home. Drop by and check it out for yourself! Disc golf Frisbees are available for sale at the park office!