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| What Fair Hope is like for active adults |
Fairhope, Alabama is one of the most unusual (and nicest) retirement communities anywhere. It was founded by 28 settlers from Iowa in November, 1894 as a utopian single tax colony by the "Fairhope Industrial Association". Their purpose in founding a new colony was to establish and conduct a cooperative model community, free from all forms of private monopoly.
The Fairhope Single-Tax Corporation still operates, with 1800 leaseholds covering more than 4000 acres in and around the current city of Fairhope. The community owns the land and leaseholders pay a tax of between $500 to $1000 in lieu of property taxes. Fairhope has made some movement from utopian experiment to retirement community... artist's/intellectual's colony… boutique resort… and affluent suburb of Mobile. In fact, some local residents refer to Fairhope as "Carmel-by-the-Bay" alluding to California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Monterey Peninsula.
This beautiful retirement community for active adults 55+ has Spanish moss hanging from the trees. Many homes have a view of the beautiful bay. A 1,450-foot town pier serves as a local gathering spot. One of the first communities in Alabama to put a horticulturist on the city payroll, Fairhope is lush with trees, plantings, and flowers. Thomas Hospital in Fairhope is a local source of pride with 56 staff doctors, including specialists in all major disciplines.
Fairhope is a desirable retirement community with many different kinds of housing available. According to City-Data the average selling price of a Fairhope home in 2008's 1st quarter was in the low $200's.
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| What is special about this community |
| • Flowers and plantings
• Charming ambience and cooperative heritage
• Arts & Crafts Festival (named as Event of the Year by the State of AL)
• University of South Alabama branch campus
• Mild climate |
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| What is not special about this community |
| • Could be too cute for some
• Hot, humid summers |
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| What kinds of people like living here |
| Fairhope is a growing, vital community, having expanded 35% during the 1990’s. Most people tend to be retirees, but since it is a suburb of Mobile, there are also plenty of people of all ages. There are many artists who live here. |
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| Physical environment |
| Fairhope is on a coastal plain separated by a bay from Mobile. Many homes have a view of the bay. With a horticulturalist on staff, the community and its flowers and Spanish moss could not be more beautiful. |
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| Cultural environment |
| Fairhope is blessed with many significant events throughout the year. There is the popular Alabama Coastal BirdFest, the Arts & Crafts Festival, the Fairhope Music Festival, just to name a few. The Eastern Shore Art Center is a vital resource with changing monthly exhibits. The Adult Recreation Center ($10 a year) has 1200 members and a daily roster of activities that range from exercise classes to bridge. The center’s Big Band dances attract folks from far away. |
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| Medical facilities |
| Thomas Hospital is here in Fair Hope, others are nearby in Mobile |
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| Transportation |
| There are 2 airports in Mobile, Trent Lott International is 44 miles away in Pascagoula. For more information about how to retire in Alabama
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Active Adult Communities in Fair Hope |
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| Fair Hope Active Communities |
| Facts about FAIR HOPE | | State | : AL | | Environment | : Suburban,Coastal, | | City Population | : 10,000-25,000 | | Median age of Population | : 45-64 | | Avg Jan Temperature | : 41-60 | | Median HH Income | : 0-20,000 | | Average Home Price (MLS) | : $300,001-$500,000 | | Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house | : Less than 2000 | | Total Crime Index | : <80 (Very low) | | Cost of Living Index | : 101-110 (slightly above average) | | Culture Index | : 111-120 (high) | | State Sales Tax | : | | State Income Tax | : | | Name of the Guide | : |
| | Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on |
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Vote on the Ratings for Fair Hope |
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Update Your Ratings |
Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 4.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)
Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)
Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 3.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)
Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 3.7/5 ( 3 votes cast)
Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
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