Kelly Davis
Associate Broker & Team Lead
Kelly is the heart and engine of Big Beach AL Team. She pairs coastal market knowledge with creative marketing and helps buyers and sellers make confident moves on the Gulf Coast.
The definitive insider handbook to active-adult communities, low-maintenance patio enclaves, golf courses, pickleball & tennis, healthcare networks, and Alabama tax shields.
Your comprehensive insider roadmap to active-adult living, recreation, healthcare, and tax advantages across the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Over the past decade, Baldwin County, Alabama has become one of the fastest-growing retirement destinations in the United States. Retirees from across the country are discovering a rare coastal combination: crystal-clear sugar-white quartz beaches, warm Southern hospitality, championship golf, vibrant racquet sports, and some of the most powerful tax protections in the nation.
Say goodbye to snow blowers and sub-zero winter chills. Coastal Alabama enjoys over 220 sunny days per year. Winters are remarkably mild, with average January highs in the low 60s°F. You can play golf and tennis outdoors in December and walk the beach in February in a light sweater.
Compared to Florida, coastal Alabama offers substantially lower homeowners insurance premiums, far lower property tax assessments, and more attainable single-level homes. Your retirement dollars stretch significantly further here without sacrificing coastal luxury.
Understanding the seasonal rhythm is key for incoming retirees:
Foley is South Baldwin County's undisputed hub for dedicated 55+ age-restricted communities and low-maintenance gated patio neighborhoods. Located just 12 to 15 minutes north of Gulf Shores beaches, Foley lets you bypass coastal vacation traffic while enjoying immediate access to medical networks, big-box shopping, and quiet tree-lined streets.
Lowest Carrying Costs: Homeowners insurance in Foley is significantly lower than on the barrier island because Foley sits north of high-velocity coastal wind zones. Taxes and HOA dues are also the region's most economical.
Medical Hub: Home to Baldwin Health's $200M+ hospital expansion, specialized cardiology clinics, and orthopedic surgical centers.
Foley's premier 55+ gated community featuring 24/7 guarded security, an indoor heated lap pool, outdoor pool, clubhouse ballroom, and tennis/pickleball. HOA includes: complete lawn mowing, edging, irrigation, and annual exterior power washing.
Charming Mediterranean-inspired gated courtyard patio homes with zero exterior lawn maintenance, clubhouse, heated pool, putting green, and fitness room.
Scenic cottages centered around an 8-acre stocked fishing lake with paved walking perimeter, clubhouse, pool, shuffleboard, and private on-site RV/boat storage.
Gulf Shores delivers the classic coastal beach town lifestyle. Flat, highly walkable and bikeable, Gulf Shores connects residents to pristine beaches, tranquil coastal lagoons, Arnold Palmer golf courses, and the flagship 36,000 sq ft Bodenhamer Recreation Center.
Gulf Shores' newest age-restricted 55+ neighborhood, built by Truland Homes inside the renowned Craft Farms golf community. Craftsman single-level cottages featuring low-maintenance finishes, full lawn care included in the HOA, an open-air community pavilion with gas fire pit, and direct golf cart connectivity to Publix, Target, and local restaurants.
Nestled directly on Oyster Bay, this established 55+ enclave features single-level brick villas, a 300-ft private lighted fishing and sunset pier, a heated indoor swimming pool, active woodworking hobby shop, community library, and weekly social events.
A peaceful, gated deepwater boating community on Bon Secour Bay with assigned boat slips, 2 swimming pools (indoor heated & outdoor bayfront), tennis courts, and zero vacation rental turnover.
Orange Beach is renowned for its world-class waterways, deepwater boating channels, and high-end condominium towers with strict rental restrictions that foster quiet, residential communities for retirees.
A premier residential-only bayfront high-rise where vacation rentals are strictly prohibited. Features a private marina with assigned deepwater boat slips, 2 swimming pools, tennis/pickleball, and manicured gardens overlooking Terry Cove.
Award-winning modern architecture on Ole River featuring 4 swimming pools (including an indoor heated lap pool), state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the water, sauna, and first-come deepwater boat slips.
A classic low-density beachfront complex boasting the only private 700-foot fishing pier on the Alabama coast, indoor heated pool, and private boardwalk.
If your vision of coastal retirement is serenity, uncrowded natural beaches, zero commercial high-rises, and watching dolphin pods glide past your balcony, Fort Morgan is a secluded paradise.
Extending 20 miles west between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, Fort Morgan is home to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, historic Fort Morgan, and the Mobile Bay Ferry. It feels like stepping back into Old Florida while remaining only 15 to 20 minutes from Gulf Shores conveniences.
Quiet gated condominium enclave near the tip of the peninsula featuring indoor heated pool, outdoor pool, rooftop observation terrace with panoramic Gulf and Bay views, and private beach boardwalk.
World-class master-planned coastal golf community with Jerry Pate championship course, private beach pavilion, 4 swimming pools, tennis, and on-site dining.
Coastal Alabama is a premier golf destination featuring over 200 holes designed by legends like Arnold Palmer, Jerry Pate, Earl Stone, and Robert Von Hagge. With lush year-round turf and active senior leagues, retirees enjoy world-class golf at unbeatable resident rates.
1. Craft Farms Golf Resort (Gulf Shores • 36 Holes): The only Arnold Palmer–designed courses in Alabama. Features Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend. Rolling fairways, pristine lakes, expansive greens, and active leagues. View Craft Farms Homes →
2. Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club (Gulf Shores • 27 Holes): Designed by Earl Stone across 800 bayside acres. Certified Audubon Sanctuary with Marsh, Lakes, and Cypress nines. View Peninsula Homes →
3. Kiva Dunes Golf Club (Fort Morgan • 18 Holes): Ranked the #1 Public Golf Course in Alabama by Golfweek. Coastal links between Gulf and Bay. View Kiva Dunes Homes →
4. GlenLakes Golf Club (Foley • 27 Holes): 18-hole championship links + 9-hole executive course with affordable senior passes. View GlenLakes Homes →
5. Orange Beach Golf Center: Lighted 9-hole par-3 course and 30-station driving range for daily practice.
Pickleball and tennis are at the center of coastal Alabama's active social scene. Whether you are a tournament player or picking up a paddle for the first time, our municipal and private racquet facilities offer daily organized play and welcoming senior communities.
George C. Meyer Tennis Center (Gulf Shores): Flagship 18-court municipal complex featuring 12 hard courts and 6 fast-dry Rubico clay courts. Includes full pro shop, ball machine rentals, USPTA instruction, and senior round-robins.
Orange Beach Tennis Center: 8 lighted championship regulation tennis courts with active adult clinics, mixed-doubles ladders, and leagues.
Gulf Shores Sportsplex & Pickleball Courts: 12 dedicated, lighted tournament pickleball courts with shade pavilions and spectator seating. Open daily from sunrise to 10:00 PM.
Foley Mel Roberts Park & Event Center: 6 dedicated outdoor courts at Mel Roberts Park + 12 climate-controlled indoor courts inside the Foley Event Center during seasonal open play.
Orange Beach Pickleball Center: 8 dedicated lighted courts adjacent to the Aquatics Center with daily drop-in hours from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Gulf Shores Church of Christ Gym: Popular climate-controlled indoor morning drop-in play (MWF 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM) with four indoor courts and warm fellowship.
Staying healthy and socially engaged is easy with world-class municipal fitness centers offering SilverSneakers®, heated indoor Olympic lap pools, arthritis water therapy, and dedicated senior centers.
A 36,000 sq ft state-of-the-art community complex located at 310 W 19th Ave. Features an 8-lane 25-meter heated indoor swimming pool, warm-water whirlpool spa, indoor walking track, comprehensive fitness gym, and full SilverSneakers® classes.
Dedicated exclusively to adults age 50+. A vibrant daily schedule including duplicate bridge, canasta, mahjong, euchre, line dancing, ballroom dancing, woodcarving, gentle chair yoga, tai chi, and catered monthly social luncheons.
Features a 25-meter heated outdoor competition pool with dedicated adult lap swim hours, water aerobics, and a children's splash park for when grandchildren visit.
Retirement on the Alabama coast is rich with creative opportunities, cultural arts, coastal wildlife exploration, and lifelong educational pursuits.
Winding through Gulf State Park across Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, this network of flat, paved, ADA-accessible trails is a retiree favorite. Designated trails are golf-cart friendly and connect to pristine lakes, maritime forests, and coastal dunes.
Situated on scenic Wolf Bay in Orange Beach, offering "The Hot Shop" glassblowing, pottery throwing, watercolor painting, and fine art galleries.
Coastal Alabama Community College provides non-credit courses for adults 50+ in history, coastal ecology, photography, and creative writing.
Healthcare access is a primary consideration for active adults and retirees relocating to the coast. Baldwin County has invested over $200 million modernizing regional hospital campuses, emergency trauma facilities, and critical care infrastructure.
A comprehensive $200M+ expansion adding a brand new 200,000 sq ft, 5-story surgical and patient tower. Features full 24/7 cardiovascular catheterization labs, robotic orthopedic joint replacement, advanced intensive care (ICU), dedicated women's care, and an accredited stroke center.
Located right on Highway 59, providing rapid 24/7 emergency medicine, low-dose CT scanning, digital X-ray, ultrasound, cardiac lab diagnostics, and acute trauma care with virtually zero wait time compared to traditional urban hospitals.
Peace of mind begins with knowing you are never far from immediate emergency response:
Baldwin County operates 24/7 advanced life-support paramedic ambulances, reinforced by dedicated Air Care helicopter bases for rapid flight transport directly to university tertiary trauma centers when critical seconds count.
From routine wellness visits and walk-in urgent care to specialized oncology, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery, South Baldwin County and the surrounding regional medical corridor provide complete continuity of care.
Located right on Pine Street in Foley, this dedicated Veterans Affairs clinic serves our large military retiree community. It offers primary care, preventative medicine, laboratory blood draws, mental health services, telehealth, and direct prescription drug coordinationโeliminating the need to drive across state lines to Biloxi or Pensacola for routine appointments.
For acute non-emergency illnesses, sinus infections, seasonal allergies, sprains, or minor stitches without an emergency room wait or hospital bill:
Cardiology: Cardiology Associates in Foley with on-site stress testing and cardiac rehab. • Orthopedics: The Orthopaedic Group and Baldwin Bone & Joint providing robotic joint replacement. • Vision: Southern Eye Group performing cataract surgeries and specialized eye care.
Alabama is consistently ranked among the top 3 retirement tax havens in America, offering extraordinary pension exemptions and the 2nd lowest property taxes in the United States.
| Tax Protection | How It Works in Alabama | Retiree Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 100% State Pension Exemption | Under Alabama Code ยง 40-18-19, all defined-benefit retirement pensions are 100% exempt from Alabama state income tax. Includes military pensions, federal civil service, state/local government, teachers, police/fire, and qualified private corporate defined-benefit pensions. | Saves $3,000 to $8,000+ every year compared to states that tax pension distributions. |
| 2. #2 Lowest US Property Taxes | Alabama's effective primary residence property tax rate is only ~0.35% to 0.40% in Baldwin County. A $350,000 home pays approximately $1,200 to $1,400 annually. | Saves $4,000 to $10,000+ annually compared to IL, NJ, NY, or TX. |
| 3. Age 65+ Homestead Relief | At age 65, Alabama waives the state portion of property taxes on your primary residence, regardless of income. | Keeps fixed living costs remarkably low and predictable forever. |
| 4. Zero Local Income Taxes | Neither Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, nor Baldwin County levy any local personal income taxes. | Keep 100% of your monthly retirement cash flow. |
Understanding coastal construction standards and insurance discounts will save you thousands of dollars annually on your coastal home or condominium.
Baldwin County is the national leader in Fortified construction. Homes built or re-roofed to IBHS Fortified standards feature ring-shank nails, taped roof seams, and sealed soffits designed to withstand 130+ mph hurricane winds.
The Financial Payoff: Under Alabama state law, insurance companies are mandated to provide up to a 35% to 55% discount on windstorm insurance premiums for certified Fortified Roofs.
When purchasing an attached villa or condominium, Kelly & Dave review:
A step-by-step roadmap to ensure a seamless transition from your current state to your new Alabama coastal lifestyle.
As you drive through these neighborhoods, you will see "For Sale" yard signs with agent phone numbers. Do not call the number on the yard sign. Under Alabama law, that agent has a legal fiduciary contract representing the SELLER to get the highest price.
As a buyer, you are entitled to your own independent representation by Dave & Kelly Davis at zero out-of-pocket cost (the seller pays brokerage fees). If you see a home you love, simply text the address or a quick photo to Dave at (251) 289-1553 for unfiltered MLS history, HOA reserve notes, and private walkthroughs.
Compare the premier 55+ active-adult neighborhoods and coveted coastal retirement condominiums across Baldwin County.
| Community | Location & Type | Price Range | HOA Covers | Key Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Village | Foley • Gated 55+ | $299k – $380k | $240/mo (Full lawn, pressure wash) | Indoor heated lap pool, outdoor pool, pickleball/tennis, gate |
| Village at Craft Farms | Gulf Shores • 55+ Cottages | $418k – $460k | $600/yr (Lawn maintenance) | Arnold Palmer golf access, open pavilion, gas fire pit |
| Oyster Bay Village | Gulf Shores • 55+ Waterfront | $225k – $285k | $325/mo (Roof, grounds, pier) | Private bay fishing pier, indoor heated pool, woodshop |
| Sea Pines at Bon Secour | Foley • Gated Patio | $320k – $410k | $280/mo (Lawn, pool, gate) | Heated pool, putting green, clubhouse, gated entrance |
| Bella Luna | Orange Beach • Luxury Boating | $1.1M – $1.8M | 4 pools, marina, security | 4 swimming pools (indoor lap pool), private marina, sauna |
| Bayshore Towers | Orange Beach • Zero STR | $1.4M – $1.75M | Marina, grounds, pools | Strictly NO vacation rentals, deepwater boat slips |
| The Dunes & Indies | Fort Morgan • Gated Enclave | $350k – $550k | Pools, roof deck, insurance | Indoor heated pool, rooftop Gulf/Bay observation deck |
Under federal HOPA guidelines, at least 80% of occupied homes must have one resident 55+. Spouses or partners under 55 are welcome. Grandchildren and younger relatives can visit comfortablyโstandard community bylaws typically allow stays of up to 30โ60 days per calendar year.
HOA coverage varies: Live Oak Village covers mowing, edging, irrigation maintenance, AND annual house pressure washing. The Village at Craft Farms covers turf mowing & pavilion grounds. Oyster Bay Village operates condo-style covering roofs, exterior siding, and pier.
Moving across town is stressfulโrelocating across state lines into a retirement community or coastal neighborhood requires trusted local advocates who personally know what it means to make that exact out-of-state transition.
Founders • Big Beach AL Team • Dalton Wade Real Estate Group
We moved to Gulf Shores in 2022 and have two boys attending Gulf Shores city schools. With over 15 years of real estate experience and Dave's 6+ years of lending background, we understand firsthand what it means to move into the area from out of state.
We bought our own home totally sight unseenโso we know exactly what out-of-town buyers want to see, what details matter, and what red flags to look out for when navigating coastal homes, HOA covenants, and wind insurance.
Explore at your own pace today with our curated 5-stop Google Maps driving loop: bigbeachal.com/snowbird-tour
Schedule a zero-pressure consultation to walk inside active floor plans, review clubhouse amenities, and verify HOA financials. Book online at realestatecrmpro.com/schedule/clarity-call or call/text (251) 289-1553.
We didn't just move here - we built our lives here. And now we help other families do the same.
Associate Broker & Team Lead
Kelly is the heart and engine of Big Beach AL Team. She pairs coastal market knowledge with creative marketing and helps buyers and sellers make confident moves on the Gulf Coast.
Lending Specialist & Realtor
Dave brings the financing brain to the table, helping buyers understand payments, carrying costs, rental projections, and the real numbers behind a beach property before they write an offer.
Expert Buyer Specialist & Lead Buyer's Agent
Kerri is the team's go-getter for showings, tours, and buyer follow-through. She keeps the process moving and helps clients compare properties with clear, on-the-ground context.