Sector Mobile
Key Contacts
Main Office: Phone: (251) 441-5720
Public Affairs Officer (PAO): (251) 545-2662
Mobile Info Line: (251) 441-6100
Household Goods: (251) 441-6311
Morale, Wellness, and Recreation Director: (251) 441-6872
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time frame.
Sector Mobile
Welcome to Sector Mobile! The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile is a vital part of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, specifically District 8. It is responsible for a wide array of Coast Guard missions along the Alabama, Mississippi, and portions of the Florida panhandle coastlines. These missions include:
Search and Rescue: Sector Mobile coordinates and executes search and rescue operations within its area of responsibility, ensuring the safety of life at sea.
Maritime Law Enforcement: The sector enforces federal laws and regulations on the water, including fisheries enforcement, drug interdiction, and migrant interdiction.
Marine Environmental Protection: Sector Mobile works to prevent and respond to pollution incidents, protecting the delicate marine ecosystem.
Aids to Navigation: It maintains and operates aids to navigation, such as buoys and lighthouses, to ensure safe navigation for mariners.
Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security: The sector safeguards ports, waterways, and coastal areas from threats, including terrorism and illegal activities.
Sector Mobile's headquarters is located in Mobile, Alabama, and it operates several smaller stations and units throughout its area of responsibility.
About Mobile County
LOCATION
The Sector Mobile is located in picturesque Mobile County, Alabama. It is in downtown Mobile, offering easy access to city amenities. The nearest major airport is Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), which is adjacent to Sector Mobile. Other nearby travel options include Pensacola International Airport (PNS) and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT), ensuring convenient travel for military families and visitors.
ATTRACTIONS
Mobile County is rich in history and natural beauty, offering a variety of attractions for newcomers:
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: Explore maritime history with the USS Alabama and USS Drum.
Mobile Bay: Perfect for boating, fishing, and sunset cruises.
History Museum of Mobile: Discover the area's diverse history, from Native American settlements to modern industry.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home: A stunning estate featuring extensive gardens and a historic home open for tours.
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center: Interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater for educational and entertaining experiences.
Dauphin Island: Known for its beautiful beaches and bird sanctuary, ideal for relaxation and bird watching.
Helpful hints
The cost of living in Mobile County is moderate compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to live for military families. When choosing a neighborhood, consider commute times, school districts, and proximity to restaurants and shopping. Traffic can be heavier during peak hours, so plan your routes accordingly
WEATHER
Mobile County enjoys a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. The area experiences an average annual rainfall of 67 inches, with the wettest months being July and August. Winters are generally mild, with January being the coolest month, averaging around 50°F. Summers can be quite warm, with July temperatures often reaching into the high 80s and low 90s. With plenty of sunny days, it's a great place for outdoor activities year-round.
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Nearby Neighborhoods
HOUSING
Sector Mobile does not offer base housing, but popular nearby towns to find housing include:
Mobile, AL
ABOUT
Mobile is a vibrant city known for its rich history and lively culture. Here are some popular neighborhoods and their highlights:
Popular Neighborhoods
- Spring Hill
- Dutton
- Downtown Historic District
Nearby Attractions
- Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
- Rose Music Center at The Heights
- Carriage Hill MetroPark
By the Numbers
- Population 190,000
- Household Income $43,000
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Proximity to the coast
- Rich cultural scene
Things to Consider
- Busy traffic in downtown areas
- Higher humidity during summer
Daphne, AL
ABOUT
Located just across the bay, Daphne offers a suburban feel with plenty of amenities:
Popular Neighborhoods
- Lake Forest
- Olde Towne Daphne
- Timbercreek
Nearby Attractions
- Bayfront Park
- Daphne Civic Center
- AI Trione Sports Complex
By the Numbers
- Population: 26,000
- Household Income: $68,000
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Excellent school districts
- Family-friendly environment
Things to Consider
- Commute times across the bay
- Limited nightlife options
Fairhope, AL
ABOUT
Known for its charming downtown and artistic community, Fairhope is a favorite among families:
Popular Neighborhoods
- Fruit & Nut District
- Montrose
- Rock Creek
Nearby Attractions
- Fairhope Pier
- Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival
- Weeks Bay
By the Numbers
- Population: 22,000
- Household Income: $67,000
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Scenic views and parks
- Strong sense of community
Things to Consider
- Higher cost of living
- Tourists during peak seasons
Conclusion
Moving to Sector Mobile offers a blend of professional growth and personal enrichment. With its rich history, varied attractions, and welcoming community, you'll find numerous opportunities to thrive both professionally and personally. Whether you choose to live on-base or in one of the many charming nearby communities, you'll be part of a vibrant area that values both tradition and innovation.
For personalized assistance with your move, don't hesitate to reach out to our relocation experts. Welcome to Mobile—the gateway to your new adventure!
*Population and annual household income data retrieved from data.census.gov/cedsci February 2024.
*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
7 Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Home
1. TAX ADVANTAGES
To encourage homeownership, the IRS has provided many tax breaks for owning a home. Credits may be available for specific home improvements, such as using clean energy or for qualified first-time home buyers. The way most homeowners see those advantages is through income tax itemization and deductions like mortgage interest and real estate taxes.
2. STABALIZE MONTHLY HOME COSTS
Owning your own house is one of the safest bets on stabilizing your monthly home costs. There’s no worry of rent getting increased significantly after each year of living in someone else’s home. Additionally, when you answer to yourself, there is no worry of landlord changes or unexpected lease termination.
3. HOUSE HACKING
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
4. Increased Privacy
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
5. Pets Are Welcome!
For those who choose to rent instead of buying, it can be extremely difficult to find rentals who allow for your
four-legged, furry friends. Landlords often require hefty pet deposits or place heavy restrictions on the number of pets and breeds they allow—if they will even allow pets. When considering quality of life, including beloved pets and the indoor and outdoor space available to them matters. Having the flexibility to include ALL members of your family as a homeowner is priceless!
6. Pride of Ownership
One of the greatest benefits of owning your own home is the pride of ownership that comes along with it. Not only are homeowners more inclined to take good care of their investment with routine maintenance and cleaning, but also they are free to make design choices ranging from hanging artwork on the walls, to paint colors, to customization of closets, electronics, and more. As military families who relocate frequently, having your home reflect who you really are feels important.
7. Safe and Stable Long Term Investment + Forced Savings
Owning a home has historically been one of the safest, lowest risk financial investments that tends to have long-term stability and success. As your home value appreciates and your mortgage balance decreases, what’s left is growing equity with an eventual paid off home. Making a monthly house payment is akin to setting aside a specific amount each month into a savings account—it’s a little difficult to access in the moment, but over time it can build into something significant in the form of equity.
FIVE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR RELOCATION PROCESS
Your PCS is underway!
The home buying and moving transition process has begun. Now what? If it feels like there are a million things to do, don’t fret because you don’t have to do them all yourself. During the relocation process, there are many service providers that can assist you in making your move a smooth one.
Consider these five resources to help you in the process
1. MOVING COMPANIES
Sure, the military offers transportation and relocation services, but many service members decide to coordinate the transfer of household goods themselves. Not only can you often earn money on the difference between moving costs and weight allowances, but you can be assured that you have more control over your belongings. Services that moving companies offer can range from delivery of boxes and pods for the “you-pack” model all the way to full-service logistics companies that will do all of the packing, loading, driving, and unpacking for you.
2. STORAGE
Whether you need to store your household goods for a few weeks until you close on your home or you decide that you have more stuff than square footage, storage companies abound. Sizes, conditions, and contracts vary widely so be sure to do your homework before you commit. Particularly in climates with extreme cold, heat, or humidity, it is important to consider using only climate-controlled storage to ensure the protection of your furniture and temporarily unused items.
3. TEMPORARY HOUSING
It is not uncommon for there to be a short gap of time during a military move between when you arrive at your new duty station and your new home being available to inhabit. No longer are hotels the only option for sticking out a few days or weeks during the wait. Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb are great options to make you feel more at home while you wait for your home. In fact, why not take advantage of seeing your new city through the eyes of a tourist? Find a location near new local attractions and dining and enjoy a few days of getting to know the lay of the land.
4. USPS/IRS
Once you get settled in at your new home, it’s important that you alert agencies that will make sure your current and up-to-date address is on file. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are two of the most important and by doing so, any important mail or documents in your name should be forwarded or sent along to your new address. It’s also a good idea to notify banks, credit card companies, and other debt collectors of a change of address. These days nearly all of these transactions can be handled online.
5. DISCARD & DONATE SERVICES
No matter how much you purge, toss, organize, minimize, or donate before you pack up the moving truck, it never fails that after you get unpacked on the other side there seems to be more stuff to declutter. Discard and donate services can help with this. Many are a phone call away and will happily come to your residence for a pickup. Others are structured where you simply drop off at a store. A lot of these services are charitable organizations and will offer you documentation for your own taxes based on your donation. It’s a win-win: you downsize by donating, and someone else benefits from your use of your items.
