Well I'm actually 5min. away from a brand new mall,(food & shopping) and best part is no traffic to fight to get there. I live out of town (13miles to be exact) but it still only takes 10min to get there b/c again no traffic its open highway. There are grocery stores only a mile from me now, and the beach is only 30-45min. straight shot.
I know you been to bay Minette Eric, and I agree Bay Minette is a crap shoot but where I live is pretty central. I can get anywhere in baldwin county and parts of mobile in about a half hour or less.
I like mobile but would not want to live there, your neighbor hood is nice and I know there are more like them but i like being further away from my neighbor than a SHORT walking distance. Besides your neighbor is an asshat!! LOL