Families are moving to Saraland for the top-notch schools
According to lore, Saraland was named for the wife of C.J. DeWitt, a retired minister turned editor who moved to the area in 1890 and opened the first post office on the southern railroad. Today, the city, which is 10 miles north of Mobile, is growing quickly thanks to its top-notch school system. “It was a sleepy little suburb until 10 or 15 years ago. Now it's one of our hottest commodities," says Steve Hickman, a Realtor with Keller Williams-Mobile. “They have a phenomenal school system that people are striving to get into.” Also marked by an engaged city government, an expanding park system and a convenient perch near the recreational opportunities of Bayou Sara, the community is a good fit for families looking for a small-town atmosphere not far from Mobile – and they’ll have access to a new $72 million public sports complex in the fall of 2024.
Saraland is also situated along Bayou Sara.
There are also newer craftsman builds in Saraland.
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New homes are filling the northern reaches of Saraland
Saraland has a mix of residents: longtime locals who were born and raised there, and those who moved there for the schools. The housing reflects that mix, Hickman says, with older homes occupying the core of Saraland. Home styles across Saraland vary. “Homes are all over the map,” Hickman says. “There’s everything from 1930 and ‘40s post-World War II to Mid-Century modern to French Country to more modern in the north.” Many of the newer subdivisions and custom-built homes are found in Outer Saraland . The median sale price in Saraland is about $240,000, falling far below the national average.
Long ranch style homes are common in the Saraland Neighborhood.
Some Saraland homes are French-Colonial Inspired.
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Public schools in Saraland earn top marks
The Saraland School District is a huge draw for homebuyers. “The district broke away from the Mobile School System about 10 years ago and came out with guns blazing,” Hickman says. The Saraland City Schools district earns an A+ from Niche, and Niche ranks Saraland as the best school district in the Mobile area. Saraland Elementary, Saraland Middle and Saraland High School – all earn scores of A from Niche while teachers at the elementary and middle schools earn an A+.
Saraland Elementary School is yet another option for Saraland children.
Saraland High School is where most Saraland teens attend school.
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The community eagerly awaits the opening of the Land at Saraland
For outdoor recreation, the gentle waters of Bayou Sara are well suited for family paddle trips and lowkey afternoons on the water. “I live on Bayou Sara,” says Karna West, administrative assistant with the Saraland Area Chamber of Commerce. “Bayou Sara interlocks with lots of the rivers that feed into the bay. There’s lots of boating, lots of kayaking, and fishing is big here.” The Saraland Splash Pad is a colorful and eclectic water zone at Town Center Park, Saraland’s newest park. Several small parks, green spaces and ball fields punctuate the rest of the community. A rec center and a senior center offer classes and more opportunities for staying active. Families will be able to use new baseball and softball fields at the Land at Saraland sports complex, set to open in the fall of 2024.
Check and see if the fish are biting on Bayou Sara in Saraland, AL.
Amelia Park has a few baseball fields that host many games during the season.
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Favorite restaurants serve up barbecue and oysters
Bienville Oysters. Oyster po’boys. Wild-caught raw oysters. Mobile’s favorite bivalve dominates the menu at the Saraland outpost of Wintzell’s Oyster House, which has served oysters for more than 85 years. Strip malls are easy to find, and nobody needs to leave Saraland for necessities – unless those necessities include Louis Vuitton and the like, Hickman says. The Keep Saraland Beautiful initiative is a long-running effort to maintain the natural beauty of the community through litter management and beautification projects. The organization works with businesses along Saraland Boulevard to keep the landscaping looking good.
The Bienville Oysters at Wintzels in Saraland, AL. are the order of the day.
Stop in for a creamy confection at the Marble Slab Creamery in Saraland, AL.
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Locals commute to Mobile and Bay Minette
Saraland is a commuter town, with many residents driving 15 minutes south to Mobile, West says, or 15 minutes north to Bay Minette, which has an established timber industry. There is no public transportation in or around the city. Mobile International Airport is 20 miles south.
Saraland Blvd. runs North and South through town.
Saraland is conveniently located off of I-65.
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Town Center Park hosts a weekly farmers market in summer
Kids can cool off in the splash pad after their parents buy produce at the Saraland Farmers Market in Town Center Park, held Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. from May through August. The Saraland Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Mistletoe Market during the holiday season, traditionally on the same day as the Christmas parade. More than 140 vendors set up booths and sell their crafts.
Japanese Magnolias bloom every Spring in Satsuma.
Amelia Park has a few baseball fields that host many games during the season.
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Environment and Crime in Saraland
Summers in Saraland are long and humid, while winters are short and mild. As with anywhere on Gulf Coast, Saraland is prone to hurricanes.
Recent crime data for Saraland is not readily available.
I am a full time Realtor working alongside my wife and partner Hon Beck. Together we operate Beck Properties Real Estate located in West Mobile. Hon and I began our relationship in 2013 by owning Salons in Mobile and then in 2021 expanding our entrepreneur desire to go into another industry. Real Estate has been a blessing for the both of us and our family as we have found our true love and passion. We love the opportunity to assist those that may feel they can't make a home purchase or those that feel their property is "unsellable". Giving us a shot more times than not will be the best decision you've ever made!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
