These are the neighborhoods I show most. For each one, here's what it's like, what the water and golf cart situation is, and the one trade-off I'd want you to know. Prices and HOA dues change, so ask me for the latest before you fall in love with a street.
A gated island with 24/7 security, reached by its own bridge. Canal-front homes usually start around $1.5 million, and big-water homes around $2.2 million. Rentals have a 30-day minimum, so no weekly vacationers next door. Trade-off: your golf cart stays on the island, and some canal lots limit boat size.
Golf-cart-friendly, with one of the longest amenity lists in Orange Beach: a pool, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, a community boat launch and trailer storage, for an HOA of about $500 a year. Most waterfront homes have docks, and it's a quick run to open water. Homes run about $650,000 to $3 million. Trade-off: it's social and active, not secluded.
Laid-back and golf-cart-friendly, with open-water access for a lot less than Ono. An optional HOA of about $300 gets you the community boat launch, and rentals have a 15-day minimum. Homes range from about $300,000 to around $2 million for open-water waterfront. Trade-off: with a range that wide, which part of Bear Point fits depends on your budget.
An established, quiet neighborhood with no HOA, mostly on open water along the bay, plus one canal. Most waterfront homes have docks, and it's a quick run to open water. Trade-off: no HOA means no shared amenities, and homes vary a lot from one to the next.
A new gated community of white, Alys Beach-style homes, each with a private pool, built with concrete ICF walls that stand up well to storms. Boat slips are being built for homes there. Homes start around $2 million, with an HOA of about $250 a month. Trade-off: it's still being built, so I'll show you what's finished and what's still planned.
Golf-cart-friendly and central, right by the Wharf, with one of the best community pools around, lazy river included. The HOA is about $200 a month, and homes run about $575,000 to $800,000. Trade-off: it's not a waterfront or dock community.
A golf community made up of several smaller neighborhoods, each with its own HOA. Homes range from about $400,000 to $2 million estates. The pool, tennis, clubhouse and golf course come with a separate social or golf membership, not with the HOA. Trade-off: the sub-neighborhoods differ a lot, so the name alone doesn't tell you much.
An established neighborhood on the island with no HOA, part golf course and part quiet streets, close to the Gulf Shores rec center. You can buy a golf club membership, and it's known around town as the go-to neighborhood on Halloween. Trade-off: no HOA means no shared pool or amenities.
Homes from about $375,000 to $750,000, most between $400,000 and $625,000. The HOA is about $1,000 a year and includes a community pool and four playgrounds. Trade-off: it's not a waterfront or boating community.
Newer construction, and builders sometimes offer buyer incentives. The HOA is about $1,000 a year and includes a community pool and a pond. Trade-off: no water access.
Not sure which one fits? Tell me how you want to live here, and I'll narrow it down.