Are You Moving to Fairhope? Here are 11 Reasons Why You Should
So you’re planning on make the big move to Fairhope? We locals know you’ll love it here. Fairhope is well-known for being one of the most charming towns in the South, and the people here are so inviting and friendly. Moving to a new area can be exciting but a little daunting at that same time, so I wanted to provide you with the most comprehensive guide to Fairhope to help make your decision to move a lot easier. Just know that you’re not alone. As a Realtor for over 13 years, I work with clients all the time who move to Fairhope from all over the country.
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So, if you’re moving to Fairhope yourself or you know someone who is, read this article! There is going to be a lot of territory covered here, hitting on all of the major highlights of the city.
Here’s what you’ll find below:
- Facts & Figures
- Beautiful Surroundings
- Strong Economy & Jobs
- Thriving Community
- Outdoor Activities
- Easy Commute
- Restaurants & Entertainment
- Weather & Climate
- Public Safety
- Schools & Programs
- Real Estate
- Final Thoughts
Ultimate Guide to Life in Fairhope
There are hundreds of resources about this great town all over the internet but here you will be able to find it all in one place. Whether you are moving to Fairhope from another state or from a nearby city, I’m hoping you will be able to pull some value from this article. So, let’s get started!
Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way so we can get into the more fun and interesting things about Fairhope:
- Population: 22,024
- Total Area: 74.28 square miles
- Median Home Price: $253,700
- Median Household Income: $68,172
- Sales Tax: 9%
- State Income Tax: 5%
- Median Age: 45.1
- Average Commute Time: 25 minutes
Although Fairhope is not a huge city (second largest in Baldwin County) they are one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama with a 120.7% increase since 2010.
Growth in an area is always good but one of the benefits of living in Fairhope is that it’s still fairly small compared to most cities. Plus, there is an emphasis on keeping Fairhope quaint and charming with a feeling of living in a small town.
Interesting Facts:
- USA Today: “Second Homes: Fairhope, Ala., is a Real Life Utopia”
- Southern Living: “25 Best Places to Retire” – Fairhope #1
- Smithsonian Magazine: “Fairhope, Alabama’s Southern Comfort”
- Culture Trip: “The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Alabama”
- Top Value Reviews: “30 Great Small Towns for Nature Lovers”
- Southern Living: “Reader’s Choice Awards: Best Small Towns” – Fairhope #2
- Niche – “Best Places to Live” – Fairhope #9 out of 194
- Niche – “Best Places to Raise a Family” – #10 out of 194
- Niche – “Places With the Best Public Schools in Alabama” – #26 out of 194
- Family Circle – “10 Best Towns for Families” – Fairhope #4
Here are a couple of reviews taken from Niche.com:
Fairhope is centrally located in Baldwin County and is situated along Mobile Bay. You’ll read more about its location in the Easy Commute section below.
Fairhope keeps a full-time horticulturist on the payroll to keep the city in full bloom all year long. Also, there’s something eerily beautiful about the Spanish Moss draped oaks that can be found all over town, especially while driving down Scenic Route 98.
Do you see yourself moving to Fairhope?
In this section, I’m not going to talk too much. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Can you see why so many people are thinking about moving to Fairhope?
Click here to view the live camera at the Fairhope Pier.
Fairhope has an unemployment rate of 5.5% and a job growth of 1.78%.
Employment By Industry
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 1.20% |
| Construction | 9.92% |
| Manufacturing | 8.36% |
| Wholesale trade | 3.81% |
| Retail trade | 11.18% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities | 4.78% |
| Information | 2.97% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate | 6.62% |
| Professional, management, administrative | 9.20% |
| Educational, health, social services | 21.88% |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation | 9.41% |
| Public Administration | 4.92% |
Fairhope Income
Fairhope Jobs
Of course the figure changes daily but as of today’s writing, Glassdoor.com says that there are 178 jobs up for grabs in Fairhope. If you broaden the search out by just 15 miles, there’s an oustanding 4,262 jobs available. Not too bad for a small town.
Top 5 Positions For Hire in Fairhope are:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Marketing
- Receptionist
- Accounting
- Pharmacist
When moving here, you’ll find that Fairhope is commonly referred to as a “pedestrian’s paradise” with its numerous parks, bustling downtown area, and tree-lined neighborhoods. As I have mentioned in another article about moving to Spanish Fort, I believe that the true meaning of “thriving” has 3 elements: growth, business, and quality of life.
Fairhope is the epitome of that definition. The growth is caused by the demand of people who have heard of Fairhope or visited. Business then tries to keep up with the growth. In Fairhope’s case, business is there but city officials regulate it very well, keeping the integrity of the city intact. Quality of life comes first. Homeowners in Fairhope will never feel the sting of big business. Even the Walmart of Fairhope is located well off the beaten path and most people driving through would never know where it’s located.
The Windmill MarketDowntown Fairhope is comprised of several blocks full of restaurants, shops, and galleries and is modeled after an old European village.
Fairhope is known as the gem of Baldwin County. That being said, the downtown area is the gem of Fairhope. Click here to see the full line up of businesses in downtown Fairhope.
Day or night, the downtown area is perfect for seeing local art, unique boutiques, and local cuisine. It’s a great place for “date night” (just saying).
Here are some reviews about Downtown Fairhope from TripAdvisor:
“We love visiting Fairhope Avenue and going in and out of the stores shopping for deals and interesting items. As always the merchants are very friendly and the shops are so nice. It’s a highlight of my time in Fairhope to shop the shops.”
“Shops everywhere…places to eat also. We always like coming to this quaint little town. The people are friendly.”
At the time of this writing, there were 339 reviews on TripAdvisor for Fairhope. 267 were excellent and 64 were very good. Need I say more?
If you’re moving to Fairhope and love the outdoors, this town is perfect.
Eastern Shore Trail
One of the highlights of the outdoor activities in Fairhope is the Eastern Shore Trail. Click the last link for the homepage, map, details of the trail. Whether you’re a walker, stroller, biker, or marathon runner, the Eastern Shore Trail is a fantastic “23 mile” avenue to give you a scenic, direct path to your fitness goals. I’ve ran and biked this trail a few times, its beauty and condition are well kept.
Sometimes fitness can be boring but this trail will give you plenty to look at while you’re working on yourself.
Here’s an example of the Eastern Shore Trail in Fairhope…..Beautiful place to run or bike!
Fairhope Pier
Destoyed by Hurrican Katrina in 2005, the Fairhope Pier was rebuilt and remains a staple on the Eastern Shore.The Fairhope Pier, which is 1,448 foot long, is great for those who want to fish, take in Alabama’s natural elements, or just to people watch. The pier features a restaurant, restrooms, covered bench areas, and more.
Weeks Bay Natural Reserve
Over 6,000 acres is reserved for Weeks Bay in Fairhope. If you’re moving to Fairhope and love nature, check this place out.
Located in the southern section of Fairhope is Weeks Bay Natural Reserve. Here you’ll find…….
Fairhope Parks
- Knoll Park – Located at Fairhope Ave and Magnolia St
- Barnell Park – 7754 Hwy 98
- Fairhoper’s Community Park – Here you’ll find slides, rope climbing, swings, splash pad, and monkey bars. Located at Church St and Morphy Ave.
- Fels Toddlers Park – Fels Ave and Liberty St.
- Mike Ford Tennis Center – Open to the public and features 6 lighted courts, a walking track, and green area. Located a the corner of Morphy Ave and Merson St.
- Fairhope Municipal Sporting Park – This park is 50 acres and features a disc golf course, dog park, skate park, green space, 2 gymnasiums, indoor and outdoor pools, and football field. Located at Greeno Rd and Volanta Ave.
- Beach Park Tree Trail – Located at the Fairhope Pier and contains nearly 500 species trees.
- Marietta Johnson Botanical Garden and Tree Trail – 450 Fairhope Ave.
Unlike Spanish Fort and Daphne, I feel that the majority of residents of Fairhope are either retired or work in Fairhope. If you do move to Fairhope and work elsewhere, you’ll find that the commute will be fairly simple.
Here are the most common locations from downtown Fairhope to other destinations:
- Daphne – 5.8 miles
- Spanish Fort – 11.1 miles
- Walmart – 3.3 miles
- Interstate 10 – 9.6 miles
- Mobile – 18.2 miles
- Gulf Shores – 30.2 miles
Italian
| Pinzone’s Italian Downtown | 312 Fairhope Ave | 251-990-5535 |
| Gambino’s Italian Grill | 18 Laurel Ave | 251-990-0995 |
| Ravenite Pizzeria | 102 N Section St | 251-929-2525 |
Guido’s Restaurant | 1709 Main St | 251-626-6082 |
| Rotolo’s Pizzeria | 100 Eastern Shore Shopping Center | 251-990-4005 |
| Papa’s Pizza | 14 N Church St | 251-990-9600 |
Seafood
| Fish River Grill By the Bay | 19270 Scenic Hwy 98 | 251-928-8118 |
| Shux on the Pier | 1 Fairhope Ave | 251-421-4554 |
| Southwood Kitchen | 1203 Hwy 98 | 251-626-6676 |
| Wintzell’s Oyster House | 805 S Mobile St | 251-929-2322 |
| The Original Old Bay Steamer | 14 N Church St | 251-928-1714 |
| Fish River Grill | 11950 County Rd 32 | 251-990-3535 |
| Market by the Bay | 365 Greeno Rd | 251-929-7203 |
| Saltwater Grill | 17855 Scenic Hwy 98 | 251-990-4300 |
American
| Ox Kitchen | 85 N Bancroft St | 251-990-8533 |
| Sunset Pointe | 831 N Section St | 251-990-7766 |
| The Bone and Barrel | 311 Fairhope Ave | 251-990-0782 |
| Thyme on Section | 33 N Section St | 251-990-5635 |
| Locals | 410 Fairhope Ave | 251-517-9043 |
| Bay House Bistro | 151 S Mobile St | 251-978-2125 |
| The Wash House | 17111 Scenic Hwy 98 | 251-928-4838 |
| Panini Pete’s | 42 1/2 S Section St | 251-929-0122 |
| Julwin’s Restaurant | 411 Fairhope Ave | 251-990-9372 |
| Tamara’s Downtown | 104 N Section St | 251-929-2219 |
| Fairhope Inn & Restaurant | 63 S Church St | 251-928-6226 |
| Big Daddy’s Grill | 16542 Ferry Rd | 251-990-8555 |
| Old 27 Grill | 19992 Hwy 181 | 251-281-2663 |
| Grand Steakhouse | 17855 Scenic Hwy 98 | 251-928-9201 |
| Saraceno’s | 9509 County Rd 32 | 251-928-1116 |
| Windmill Market | 85 N Bancroft St | 251-990-8883 |
| The Biscuit King | 9555 County Rd 24 | 251-928-2424 |
| Danny’s Fried Chicken | 19605 Greeno Rd | 251-928-2828 |
| Original Ben’s Jr | 552 N Section St | 251-928-1211 |
Mexican/Asian
| Dragonfly Foodbar | 7 S Church St | 251-990-5772 |
| Agave Cocina Mexicana & Tequila | 104 Ecor Rouge Pl | 251-990-3637 |
| Shanghai Cottage | 22530 Hwy 98 | 251-928-6668 |
| El Camino Taco Shack | 212 Fairhope Ave | 251-928-8108 |
| Los Tacos | 18983 S Greeno Rd | 251-929-0001 |
| La Cocina | 800 N Section St | 251-990-0783 |
| Tokyo Sushi | 94 Plantation Pointe | 251-990-2218 |
| El Mexicano | 195 Baldwin Sq | 251-929-7827 |
Cajun/Creole/French
| R Bistro & Pastry | 334 Fairhope Ave | 251-928-2399 |
Cafe
| Bay Breeze Cafe | 50 S Church St | 251-990-0294 |
| Camelia Cafe | 61 Section St | 251-928-4321 |
| Another Broken Egg Cafe | 300 Fairhope Ave | 251-210-6901 |
| Two Sisters Bakery & Deli | 19452 Scenic Hwy 98 | 251-517-0622 |
| The Sunflower Cafe | 210 Eastern Shore Shopping Center | 251-929-0002 |
| Andree’s Wine, Cheese, & Things | 403 Fairhope Ave | 251-928-8863 |
| Sandra’s Place | 218 Fairhope Ave | 251-990-3344 |
| Mary Ann’s Deli | 85 N Bancroft St | 251-928-3663 |
| Down By the Cafe | 4 Beach Rd | 251-928-4363 |
| Country Queen Cafe | 19548 Boothe Rd | 251-928-0500 |
Dessert
| Warehouse Bakery & Donuts | 759 Nichols Ave | 251-928-7223 |
Lebanese/Himalayan
| Sage Lebanese Cuisine | 319 Fairhope Ave | 251-517-7536 |
| Yak The Kathmandu Kithen | 400 Eastern Shore Shopping Center | 251-990-6192 |
I’ve taken all of the information for this section from WeatherSpark.com and personal experience. Many people move to Fairhope because of the weather. Most of my clients who move here from another state are trying to get away from the brutal winters of the north.
Being in lower Alabama the summers can get hot and muggy but for the rest of the year, you will find that weather conditions are quite pleasant.
The “hot season” for Fairhope lasts from May 19th through September 28th with an average high temperature of 89 degrees.
The “cool season” lasts from December 2nd to February 25th with an average high of 67 degrees.
I’m no meterologist but during the summer we can get some thunderstorms. We locals call these pop up storms that usually last for about a half hour. Just schedule your pool time around these. Grab a sandwich, it will be over in a few minutes.
No one likes to talk about the negatives but I wanted to give you an objective approach to moving to Fairhope. Unfortunately, there is crime in every city, but I’m happy to report that Fairhope ranks way below on crime compared to the rest of the country (except in property crime but we’re working on that).
I can also attest that the residents of Fairhope love where they live and will not tolerate any ill-will doing from anyone.
Source: Homefacts.comThe Fairhope Police Department is comprised of over 30 sworn officers, corrections, and personnel. They are some of the finest officers in the county and are going above and beyond to keep Fairhope citizens safe.
Fairhope Police Department:
107 North Section Street
251-928-2385
website
Fairhope schools are some of the best in the area….
Fairhope Public Schools
Fairhope High School | Fairhope Middle School |
Fairhope Intermediate School | Fairhope Elementary School |
Other Fairhope Schools
Fairhope K-1 School
J. Larry Newton School
Faulkner State Community Center
University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama Baldwin County
Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education
Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation
Alabama Higher Education Portal
I’m your Fairhope Realtor. I’ve been selling homes for over 13 years and would love to meet you. Since you’re moving to Fairhope, you will need someone who knows the area, understand your needs, and match that with what’s available. I created this page for you!
There are a total of 8,040 housing units in Fairhope. 73% of residents own a home. Please reach out to me if you need any other information on the city of Fairhope or any of the homes for sale in the area. I know Fairhope and I know real estate.
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