Just visited the Mobile, AL area

Hi all,

I just visited Mobile, AL to slidell, LA, and back east to pensacola,
fairhope area.

I was under the impression that this region in the deep south was
somewhat laid back. What I found was alot different. It seems the
region has become fans of strip malls and expressways.

I liked Mobile, it seemed like a true working city with a failry
intact southern flair. I didnt care for pascgoula, or biloxi, or much
inbetween unfortunatly. SLidell being close to New orleans sure wasnt
impressive for a small town. I enjoyed Pensacola's downtown area.

I guess my question is are there any true southern towns left? I guess
coastal will be built up, but I had heard that they limited
delvelopment. Doesnt seem to be doing a good job, high rises and strip
malls with perodic breaks where you can see the ocean.If all this
sprawl was contained to villages and towns along the coast, wed have
some real nice communities. Im looking for a port city, that is a
true working town, with a nice balance of tourism and functuality. Im
flexible in location, anywhere from NC to the edge of TX, id like to
avoid Fl. Anyone have any suggestions and insights?

Green Hill wrote:
Hi all,

I just visited Mobile, AL to slidell, LA, and back east to pensacola,
fairhope area.

I was under the impression that this region in the deep south was
somewhat laid back. What I found was alot different. It seems the
region has become fans of strip malls and expressways.

I liked Mobile, it seemed like a true working city with a failry
intact southern flair. I didnt care for pascgoula, or biloxi, or much
inbetween unfortunatly. SLidell being close to New orleans sure wasnt
impressive for a small town. I enjoyed Pensacola's downtown area.

I guess my question is are there any true southern towns left?

You're not going to find them along the coast and interstates, although
Charleston, SC claims to have retained its charm. Methinks you're also
confusing Hollywood charm - upperclass plantations with sugar sweet drawls
- with reality. The latter includes dirt poor working stiffs in double-wide
trailers flocking to NASCAR races.

Marv

I guess
coastal will be built up, but I had heard that they limited
delvelopment. Doesnt seem to be doing a good job, high rises and strip
malls with perodic breaks where you can see the ocean.If all this
sprawl was contained to villages and towns along the coast, wed have
some real nice communities. Im looking for a port city, that is a
true working town, with a nice balance of tourism and functuality. Im
flexible in location, anywhere from NC to the edge of TX, id like to
avoid Fl. Anyone have any suggestions and insights?

On 11 Oct 2003 17:27:04 -0700, (Green Hill)
wrote:

Hi all,


I guess my question is are there any true southern towns left? I guess
coastal will be built up, but I had heard that they limited
delvelopment. Doesnt seem to be doing a good job, high rises and strip
malls with perodic breaks where you can see the ocean.If all this
sprawl was contained to villages and towns along the coast, wed have
some real nice communities. Im looking for a port city, that is a
true working town, with a nice balance of tourism and functuality. Im
flexible in location, anywhere from NC to the edge of TX, id like to
avoid Fl. Anyone have any suggestions and insights?


Not quite the edge of Texas - a bit beyond - but earlier this year I
was in Houston and drove down to Galveston for the day to visit the
warbird museum. I was expecting the island to be all industrial (i.e.
oil) but on my brief drive through to the museum it wasn't at all, and
looked like a place I'd like to stay at for longer and explore. Maybe
I'm wrong and some local (I'm from UK) will say it's a dump.

MJ

I liked Mobile ... I enjoyed Pensacola's downtown area.


If you didn't like Biloxi, those are the other choices under your
criteria. I hear Port St Joe, Fla., area isn't developed much but
haven't been there. Have you been to Wilmington, N.C.?

I guess my question is are there any true southern towns left?

P.S. Did you stop at Ocean Springs or Bay St. Louis when you were in
Biloxi? Quiet but otherwise fit the bill.

(Nile) wrote in message ...
I liked Mobile ... I enjoyed Pensacola's downtown area.


If you didn't like Biloxi, those are the other choices under your
criteria. I hear Port St Joe, Fla., area isn't developed much but
haven't been there. Have you been to Wilmington, N.C.?

I didnt make it to port st.joe, and havent made it to Wilmington yet.
I found bay st. louis and ocean springs, better than the rest of the
biloxi area, alot quieter and quaniter

Any Information or insights anyone could tell me about Wilmington, NC
would be much appreciated. It sounds quieter than the Charleston area.
I dont mind Charleston because with all the tourism(which is there
alot) it still is a working town. I also have to explore Savannah
more.

Thanks in advance,
Hill