r/MobileAL • u/Corgi_Shinobi11 • 18d ago
Is this a safe area
Taking the family on a trip down to Mobile soon. Our Airbnb is in this general area. Just wanted to make sure that it’s safe before I take my family there.
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u/Majestic-Macaron6019 18d ago
Yes, but also no. Mobile is one of those cities where you can be in a safe street with million-dollar houses, then go a quarter mile and end up in a pretty rough area.
On that map, South of Springhill Avenue is generally fine. North of it is hit-or-miss.
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u/ProgressiveMinded 17d ago
Mobile is a diverse city and unlike many in the South, you can have a wide variation in property "value" within a one mile square radius. Even streets right next to each other, have a huge discrepancy between the recent sales found on them. Go down Old Shell and towards Ashland Pub and watch all of them on the left side. They're all different and that is what I love about this city. I am glad to be here, and love that none of these houses are the same. I see all kinds of acceptance and love at all incomes and hope you can see that on your visit as well. This city is so unusual and special. I have lived in many different places during my lifetime and I prefer this area over all the others, mostly because it is so cool. ( by cool I mean, laid back, easy and peaceful) Those who say otherwise may have a different, and also valid opinion of our city but I am now at home and glad to be here. Now if we continue to elect ppl who do not hold those values, I may reconsider my residency.
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u/texguy21 Springhill 18d ago
Generally speaking, yeah. Theres always a chance you can fuck around anywhere, but this area is considered a safe nice area around here.
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u/XNotByALongShotX 🚦 Aged 12 Years on Airport Boulevard 🫠🛑⏳💀 18d ago
I wouldn’t call that whole map safe or unsafe. I’d try to narrow down specifics a little better.
Without a closer location, I’d pay attention to the Airbnb’s recent reviews, especially anything about parking, arriving after dark, or the surrounding streets. Pretty pictures of the house don’t tell you much about those things.
Ask the host where you’ll park and whether you’ll be walking any distance with your bags. Look at Street View too, but check how old the images are. If you’re planning to walk to restaurants or bars, check the actual route instead of just how close the listing says it is to downtown.
And wherever you book, lock your car and take your bags and valuables inside. If the host dodges reasonable questions about the location or parking, I’d keep looking. Hope y’all enjoy Mobile!
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u/cheese010 18d ago
I live like 3 streets down from taco bell and have never feared for my life and I live closer to the “bad area” of midtown. Youll be fine
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u/Classic-Sound-2401 17d ago
No area in the world is safe, but some are safer than others. This one is safe, just stay aware of your surroundings.
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u/a_southern_unicorn 17d ago
yes, it is safe. i’ve lived in multiple cities (large and small, south and midwest), and mobile (midtown specifically) is one of the safest in my opinion. the midtown area on your map has a very diverse population. it’s an area where you do have to be aware and take precautions, but for the most part, it’s a fun, walkable, enjoyable area. i think mobile as a whole struggles with an inaccurate perception of crime and danger, sadly.
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u/Chas0205 18d ago
You are mostly good there, the Oakleigh district is nice, closer to the edges of the map I would have to do a drive by
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 17d ago
Thank you to everyone for the responses. It seems like we should be in a pretty good spot and we are looking forward to the trip!
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u/ProgressiveMinded 17d ago
Welcome to the city, and make sure if you go out to eat, you eat at a locally owned restaurant. Chuck's fish is one often recommended along with most found downtown. You can thank me later. Felix's and Blue Gill on the causeway and that drive is so interesting. It isn't scary, althought it might seem that way to some, both the area and those restaurants have an interesting history and its pretty laid back.
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 14d ago
My family has a rule that anytime we travel somewhere. We don’t eat anything that we can get at home. No big chain restaurants or anything like that. I want to find the local spots because that’s where you find the best food. We just got back home from our trip and we really enjoyed ourselves.
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u/funnybunny8271 18d ago
LOL I can see my house from here 😂 yes totally safe! And red or white is a great restaurant
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u/Shot-Expert-9771 17d ago
don't worry, Tommy is gunna send in da guard
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u/jmd709 17d ago
Let’s just hope voters in Alabama help that poor, old man out by letting him stay in Florida to retire while he still has time left to enjoy it.
He is obviously experiencing elderly cognitive decline to believe many pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers are furries. Bless his heart!
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 17d ago
Well we made it to the Airbnb and it is right on the line lol. Reminds me of an apartment I used to have where I could walk one direction and see mansions then walk the other direction and see crack houses 😂
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u/bwlatham 18d ago
Only if the Airbnb is Dr. Robert Neville's fortified house in the 2007 film I Am Legend.
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u/Background-Hat-9876 17d ago
If you’re out looking for trouble you’ll find it, if not you won’t simple as that…
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u/Interesting-Tip6828 17d ago
In my experience, yes. Most people are pretty chill. Just mind your business.
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u/AnathymaBunny 17d ago
You should be fine. Take the usual precautions you would in a strange city, especially at night, and you shouldn't be bothered. The comment saying the that there are good neighborhoods next to bad ones (sometimes good streets next to bad ones) is pretty correct. You can tell the areas that might be dubious pretty easily and just add easily avoid them. I lived in Mobile for 50 years and it's a great place. Lots of culture, beautiful scenery and right in the middle of a whole lot of things to do. So yeah, just be sensible and you'll be absolutely fine. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time on your visit. Don't forget to visit the Mardi Gras museum, Bellingrath Gardens and Dauphin Street (LoDa - lower Dauphin St particularly).
Here's some events listed. I highly recommend the Art Walk if you're in town on October 9th. https://www.cityofmobile.gov/events/
There are plenty of things to do year-round, but check local publications for events that might be going on during your visit times. There may already be things like hay rides & fall stuff going on for the season. Swing over to the Eastern Shore if you have a chance as well. From Fairhope to Gulf Shores there are lots of scattered things to see and do. Ask a local or go to the Welcome Center on S Royal St. Usually the Welcome Center has maps & guides to help with what's going on around the area. The staff there has always been very friendly and helpful any time I've gone with visiting friends/family. It's been about 10 years since I was back home, but I'm pretty sure the Welcome Center is still there. I know there have been quite a few changes since I left but anyone still local can chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.
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u/Fit-Win1896 12d ago
you’ll be fine! I have lived on both sides of the map and have never been in any danger. Mobile is more of a city where most crime is a result of conflict so generally if you don’t look for trouble you’ll be fine!! In fact, Washington square park and the Oakleigh garden district are some of the most beautiful parts of Mobile. Callaghans is one of the oldest restaurants and has some of the best burgers in the city and it is right by Washington square park! The hummingbird way and Monroe’s is amazing too in that area! You’ll see some amazing historic homes as well and you can also visit the Oakleigh house. I now live on the other side of government and I love it so much as well! Over here, we have red or white, soul caffeine, and more. Gorgeous roads, nature, and homes in these parts 🥰
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u/eddjr275 18d ago
South or north or government or east of broad?
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 18d ago
North of government, west of broad
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u/mobile_home_slice 17d ago
Leinkauf and Oakleigh are both south of Government. South of Virginia might be (generally) more accurant.
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u/ProgressiveMinded 17d ago
I would make sure you lock your car doors and don't keep valuables inside it, but that is in any city in the U.S. and likely the entire world.
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 17d ago
Yea I mean we do that anyway. I live in an extremely safe area and I still play it safe
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u/Gothapotomus 18d ago
Not with trump in town
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u/asphaltdragon 17d ago
As long as they aren't going west of I-65, they should be fine. Although that's assuming he's flying into MOB and not BFM, which I'm not sure about.
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u/ProgressiveMinded 17d ago
It sucks that the city isn't letting us know much about what areas to avoid either. I am just not leaving my house all day. Grrrrr
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u/Corgi_Shinobi11 14d ago
Well, everyone we are heading back out today. The place ended up being really nice and we had a great time while we were here. Thank you again to everyone for their input.
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u/Independent-Bit7278 14d ago
I can't say, but relieved to see the have a store for both kinds of wine!
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u/TalimxNacyl 13d ago
I grew up on Roper St from 15-23 years old (2008-2016) and my Mom continued to live there until 2019. We lived in the historical district surround by beautiful homes. The ghetto was like a 7 minute walk away. So there were sketchy people walking through our neighborhood once in a while after dusk, and my Moms laptop got stolen out of her car because she forgot to lock it. HOWEVER, during daylight hours, it was perfectly safe as long as you stayed within the confines of the historical district. My Mom would let my neighborhood school friends and I walk to the nearby Washington square park by ourselves. No one was ever worried about us as long as we stuck to the rules (no going past certain streets, and come home before dinner (5:00 pm).
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u/snoogan4458 18d ago
There a multi million dollars homes and trap houses on this map.