How To Attract Retirees -- But Not Sprawl

"Alabama certainly gets hot and sticky in the summer. But that's where the cliches seem to end. Sitting on the bluffs of Mobile Bay, Fairhope -- long a haven for artists and writers -- is becoming popular among retirees. The town and surrounding area, according to transplants, have a character that defies Southern stereotypes.

... But quaint is giving way to busy. Fairhope's population, which now stands at about 13,100, has jumped about 28% since 1990. Mobile Bay prevents the town from developing to its west. East of the city, though, rolling farmland is now dotted with subdivisions and shopping centers. Residents worry that the fast-paced growth will jeopardize the small-town feel."

[Editor's note: The link below is available to non-subscribers for a period of 7 days.]