I’ve heard Fairhope is really nice.
Battleship park military museum in Mobile
Mobile for Mardi Gras .... the first Mardi Gras.
Have a couple of friends down there. Said its actually really nice. Much more laid back and more “family” friendly than NOLA.
Spent some time down there for a class. Everything on the east side of Mobile Bay, is where you might want to look.
As babble-on said, Fairhope, Daphne areas. Drive around and you’ll notice a very different demographic in the city and west side of the bay, as compared to the aforementioned areas.
I hope you’re ok with humidity.
And if you’re walking around the street where all the restaurants are, don’t remember the name of it and there are quite a few, watch out for the squirrels. There’s a park where they post up on the oak trees and look like they’re going to pounce on you.
Plenty of good eating in Mobile especially if you like shrimp and crab. The US Alabama is a must see, if you like military history. Enjoy your retirement and remember you can leave that communist state anytime.
Take a look at properties in North Alabama, particularly Huntsville. Very high tech, good recreation, and good places to dine.
I was OTR trucker for a few years and found Alabama to be the friendliest state in the lower 48. All the Yankee assholes who moved to Texas to that honor away from the Lone Star State.
Ping.
https://www.hendersonparkinn.com/
Dauphin Island maybe.
Fairhope is awesome.
I have lived in or around Mobile for many years. In preparation for retirement, after a divorce, I bought a 950 square foot brick house, in good condition, on an acre of land, for $55,000. If you’re a typical yankee retiree, you won’t want that. You’ll probably want to buy a mcmansion. You can join your fellow yankee retirees in Baldwin County, across the bay from Mobile. That’s probably where you would be most comfortable. I’m sure you consider yourself a conservative, which you may be in comparison to others in your home state, but it’s a whole different level down here. Be prepared. Generally, we are the friendliest, most helpful people in the world. Anything else you want to know?
Check out the Foley/Gulf Shores area down on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Great restaurants, including Lambert’s Throw’d Rolls and Lulu’s (Jimmy Buffett’s sister), DeSoto’s, and Tacky Jack.
Plenty of accommodations, from fairly cheap to expensive.
Also a great retirement area.
Cmon down to Gulf Shores.
We love Jimmy Buffett a lot more than Warren Buffett down here.
RLTW
I live in Fort Walton Beach FL, not too far from the Alabama Coast. I'd be happy in Alabama along the coast too but AL has a state income tax and FL doesn't, so it's Florida for me. After I retire Alabama might be in the running but while I'm working the income tax costs too much. That's why I left Mississippi for FL.
Come to Mobile: Safer than Chicago
Bellingrath Gardens is a must see. Do the grounds, and be sure to tour the home. Can’t believe it hasn’t been suggested yet!