Mobile, Alabama, is considered an important cultural center on the Gulf Coast, with a magnificent collection of historic buildings. It’s also the home of the oldest Mardi Gras event in the U.S., drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. If you’re one of them and you’re wondering what else to do in this amazing city, this article is for you!

Move It Storage has gathered the top 10 fun, interesting, and exciting things to do while you’re visiting Mobile. Plus, we’ve got some quick notes on the weather, jobs, schools, and more here, in case you decide to stay! To discover why Mobile is considered the jewel of the Gulf Coast, read on! 

Top 10 Things to Do in Mobile, AL 

1. Mardi Gras 

Sure, New Orleans is the city most think of when they hear Mardi Gras, but it’s just as big and exciting in Mobile! Mardi Gras here begins 2 weeks before Fat Tuesday and is considered more intimate and family-friendly. 

2. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park 

Known as the “Heroine of the Pacific,” The USS Alabama was one of the battleships that helped the U.S. win World War II. Today it has a permanent residence in Mobile Bay along with the USS Drum submarine, both available for tours. Speaking of which… 

3. Mobile Bay 

Although it’s quite shallow, Mobile Bay is perfect for a wide variety of watersports and boating activities. There are guided tours, sunset trips, and over 30 miles of the prettiest beaches in the country to enjoy, especially Dauphin Island, the #2 best beach in Alabama! 

4. Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center 

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a must-see if you’re visiting Mobile with your children! With astounding hands-on exhibits, a domed theatre, and several immersive displays, children and adults alike will have a fantastic time! 

5. Africatown Heritage House in Mobile 

Outlawed and then burned to hide the evidence, the Clotilde slave ship was almost forgotten. It was the last slave ship to enter U.S. waters. Today, the exhibition of remnants of this dark chapter in history is on display as a reminder of the 110 men, women, and children brought here and their history. 

6. Mobile Carnival Museum 

If you’re visiting before or after Mardi Gras but still want to learn the history of this massive celebration, the Mobile Carnival Museum is the place to do it! Explore the floats, learn the history, and see how the costumes are designed for this impressive celebration! 

7. Wintzell’s Oyster House 

Founded over 85 years ago, Wintzell’s Oyster House is easily one of Mobile’s best seafood restaurants and serves some of the most delicious oysters and other Gulf Coast specialties. If southern-fried comfort food is what you seek, look no further! 

8. Gator Boardwalk 

Also known as “Alligator Alley,” this boardwalk in Daphne, Alabama, a quick 10-minute drive over Mobile Bay, is a delight for the entire family for one reason; the alligators that call it home. Remember that while you can look and enjoy these magnificent creatures, please don’t feed them.   

9. Meaher State Park 

This spectacular 1,327-acre park offers a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and 2 excellent nature trails to explore. You’ll also get superb views of the Mobile Delta on self-guided tours, making this a must for anyone interested in the natural world surrounding Mobile. 

10. Mobile Botanical Gardens 

Did you know that Mobile is smack in the middle of one of North America’s most biologically rich areas? It is, and you’ll discover why at the Mobile Botanical Gardens! It’s 10 acres of natural beauty, including a Koi pond where you and the kids can feed the fish! 

Honorable Mentions 

Below are several other places to consider if you have the time and energy while visiting! 

• Cooper Riverside Park 
• Alabama Contemporary Art Center 
• Braided River Brewing Company 
• Bellingrath Gardens and Home 
• Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception 
• Bragg-Mitchell Mansion 
• Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail 
• Condé-Charlotte Museum 

Quick Facts about Mobile, Alabama 

Below are some quick facts about Mobile for those who are staying here and calling the city their new home! 

• Mobile has a comfort rating of 3.7/10 in summer thanks to oppressive heat and humidity. It’s a much more comfortable 7.8/10 in winter with warm days and cool (but rarely cold) nights. 
• Public schools here are rated a C+, which isn’t great. Be sure to choose your new neighborhood wisely if you have school-age kids. (Some schools here do have excellent ratings.) 
• Violent crime in Mobile is slightly higher than the U.S. average, but unfortunately, property crime is double the average. (That’s why storing your things at Move It Storage is essential. Our safety and security features are 2nd-to-none.) 
• Housing costs in Mobile are one of the best in the country, with a median home cost of $176,000, neatly 50% lower than comparable American cities. 
• Mobile is a genuinely affordable U.S. city with an overall cost index of 82.9/100. 

Store Your Things Safely and Securely in Mobile, AL, with Move It Storage 

If you’ve decided to stay in Mobile and need to find storage while you search for your new neighborhood, Move It Storage is your #1 choice. With the top security and safety features, including 24/7 video cameras, electronic front gates, and well-lit parking lots, you can rest assured your valuable household goods will be safe with Move It. 

If you need help determining what size storage unit you need, our storage unit size guide is perfect. When you’re ready, reserve your Mobile, Alabama, storage unit online, and it will be ready and waiting when you arrive! There’s no deposit necessary, and it takes less than 5 minutes! 

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Barbecuing is an undeniably American activity that’s loved across the country, with millions using their favorite barbecue equipment to create delicious meals for their families. From the famous “Big Green Egg” to smokers, broilers, and more, everyone has their favorite BBQ gear! At the end of the barbecuing season, however, storing your BBQ equipment is essential so that, next season, it’s ready to use once again. To help you do that, the storage specialists at Move It Storage have compiled this list of the best tips and hacks for storing barbecue equipment. Read on to learn how to keep your equipment in top shape during the off-season.

1. Clean Your BBQ Equipment Well Before Storage

As with anything you wish to store long-term, cleaning your equipment before storing it is crucial. You need to remove any ash, grease, and food particles so they don’t cause corrosion or nasty smells. Also, cleaning food off your BBQ equipment will prevent pests like insects and rodents from gathering in your gear for a free meal.

2. Use a Heavy-Duty Grill Cover

The average barbecue grill costs about $180, and some can cost substantially more, making your grill a considerable investment. For that reason, investing in a heavy-duty grill cover is highly recommended. A grill cover offers several benefits, including protecting your grill from rain, sleet, snow, and falling debris.

3. Consider Insurance or Coverage for High-End BBQ Equipment

Purchasing extra insurance might be a good idea if you have high-end BBQ equipment. For example, a Big Green Egg or similar grills/smokers can cost upwards of $2200! If something were to damage your grill and BBQ equipment, it could be a financial disaster. Extra insurance/extended coverage would soften the blow.

4. Purchase a Weatherproof Cabinet to Store Your BBQ Equipment

Barbecuing is typically done outdoors, so that’s where all of your BBQ equipment needs to be when you’re grilling. Let’s face it: running back and forth inside your house every five minutes to grab something could lead to overdone steaks, ruined shrimp, or some other food disaster.

To prevent that, one suggestion is to purchase a weatherproof cabinet that can stay outdoors. These cabinets are typically very sturdy and offer ample storage for your BBQ gear, including forks, brushes, spatulas, tongs, charcoal briquettes, and anything else you use to cook up your favorite foods.

5. Invest in a Good Rolling Cart

Moving heavy grills or smokers can be challenging and, in some cases, downright difficult. To make the chore easier, many manufacturers make heavy-duty rolling carts where you can place your BBQ and most of your equipment. Of course, the beauty of these carts is the ability to roll your barbecue out of the garage or shed for use and, after the grilling is done, roll it back into storage easy-peasy. Also, most of your gear will be in one convenient place.

6. Smokers Can Be Stored in a Garage or Shed

Most smokers use wood, wood chips, or charcoal, not propane gas. For that reason, if you have a smoker you want to store, you can do it in your garage or shed. One thing to note is that you should empty your smoker of any wood or charcoal before storing it so that there’s no risk of anything catching fire.

7. Keep Your BBQ Gear Well Organized

There’s nothing worse than wanting to grill some delicious food outdoors and not being able to find the gear you need. For that reason, keeping it well organized is a must. You can use the methods below to do just that.

• Install hooks or a pegboard near your barbecue area to hang utensils and tools.
• Use a weather-proof storage container like the one we mentioned earlier.
• Set up a dedicated shelving area in your garage or shed for your BBQ equipment so it’s all in one place.

Can You Store a Propane Tank in a Storage Unit?

Although you can store most barbecuing equipment in a storage unit, one thing you should never store there is your propane tank. There are several reasons for this, including:

• Propane is highly flammable and can cause an explosion or fire if your tank leaks.
• Temperature fluctuations can lead to high pressure and the risk of rupturing your propane tank.
• Most storage units lack the proper ventilation for storing a propane tank, especially if a leak develops.
• Move It Storage does NOT allow you to store propane tanks in their storage units.

If you have more questions about what you can and can’t store in a storage unit, visit our Storage FAQ. For information on the proper storage of propane tanks, read the label on the tank.

Store Your BBQ Equipment with Move It Storage

If you have a lot of barbecue equipment to store or other household items, and you want everything to stay safe and secure, count on Move It Storage. At Move It, we offer safe, clean storage units of various sizes. We recommend our 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit for barbecue equipment (unless you’re storing more stuff). Please remember, however, that you can’t store propane tanks in our storage units. When ready, you can reserve a storage unit from Move It online. Until then, have a fantastic time grilling up all your favorite foods!

The post Storing BBQ Equipment For the Winter Time appeared first on NSA Storage Blog.

Are you moving to Corpus Christi, Texas, in the near future? If so, gathering information about your soon-to-be hometown can be extremely helpful. Knowing what the weather is like in Corpus Christi can help you prepare your wardrobe, and knowing the cost of living can help you create a workable budget. At Move It Storage, we know how difficult, albeit exciting, it can be when moving to a new city. To help, we put together the following guide on moving to Corpus Christi. It’s packed with information to help you settle into your new Lone Star State life faster and with less stress!

Why People Love Living in Corpus Christi

One of the main reasons folks love living in Corpus Christi is the wide variety of activities you can enjoy. That includes the breathtaking sights along Corpus Christi’s spectacular coast, which is easily reachable anywhere in the city. Family-friendly isn’t just a cliché in this city, as it’s welcoming, safe, offers highly-rated schools, and has affordable housing options. In short, there are many reasons to love living in Corpus Christi, no matter the size of your family.

Factors to Consider if Moving to Corpus Christi, TX

Weather in Corpus Christi

There’s no escaping the fact that Corpus Christi deals with sweltering heat in summer, as well as often smothering humidity. That weather, however, is offset by the city’s fantastic winter weather. With a comfort index of 8.9/10, winter in Corpus Christi is warm and mild.

The Cost of Living in Corpus Christi

You’ll be pleased to know that the cost of living in Corpus Christi is nearly 20% lower than the U.S. average. The overall cost of living is 83.7/100 (100 being the U.S. average). Transportation costs are even better at 79.7/100, and groceries are more affordable than most cities at 92.8/100. As you’ll see next, housing costs are among the lowest cost indices in this fine southern city.

Real Estate

With a housing cost index of 64.6/100, a home in Corpus Christi is well within reach of many American families. The median home cost is an affordable $210,500, nearly $130,000 less than the U.S. average!

Corpus Christi’s Public School District

If you have children, you’ll be pleased to see that Corpus Christi’s public schools get a B+ rating. There are 100+ public schools in the city, and many get an A or B, although it’s recommended you check before buying or renting a home if you want to be sure your kids get into a top-rated school.

Recreation Opportunities

Corpus Christi really shines when it comes to recreation. The Gulf Coast beaches are beautiful and easy to reach from anywhere in the city. Snoopy’s Pier is a great place to see the sunset and have a bite to eat, and the Texas State Aquarium is one of the best in the country! There are museums to visit, and the Corpus Christi Bay Trail is a fantastic place to clear your head and breathe in the fresh sea air. Padre Island National Seashore is the city’s gem, with more than enough to keep the entire family happy with camping, birdwatching, and seashell hunting.

Top 8 Neighborhoods in Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi is a big city with dozens of neighborhoods, so we recommend going early to start your home search. You can even store your things with Move It Storage in Corpus Christi while you search for your forever home! Many communities here are excellent, but the following are at the top of the list:

• Calallen- The best reasons to live in this community are highly-rated schools, excellent dining, and affordable homes.

• Downtown Corpus Christi- Younger folks will love living Downtown for the nightlife, proximity to jobs, and fantastic shopping and restaurants. Prices, however, are higher than in other areas of the city.

• Central City- Very affordable homes and many outdoor activities set Central City apart from the rest of the communities on this list. It should be noted that it’s further outside the city than most.

• Bay Area- If boating is your pleasure, you’ll want to give the Bay Area a try. It’s right on Corpus Christi Bay, hence the name, and the opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports are off the hook!

• Ingleside- Also close to the bay is Ingleside, where you’ll find affordable single-family homes, plenty of great restaurants, and good schools.

• Rockport- If being close to the Gulf is your goal, Rockport is a great choice. It’s next door to Goose Island State Park and its spectacular beaches and trails!

• Portland- Another outlying community, Portland offers the gorgeous Violet Andrews Park and a laid-back feel that many families enjoy. Good schools and affordable homes are also a hallmark.

• Bishop- This tiny community offers some of the best schools in Corpus Christi. Surprisingly, it also provides some of the biggest lots, making it an excellent choice for folks who love having oversized yards.

Trust Move It Storage to Make Your Move to Corpus Christi a Success

Move It Storage is an excellent choice if you’ve just arrived and need self-storage units in Corpus Christi, TX! We offer safe, secure self storage with the best amenities in the industry, including drive-up units, 24/7 security, and a fully-fenced, well-lit storage facility.

Move It offers 16 (yes, 16!) storage locations in Corpus Christi, so there’s bound to be one close to the neighborhood you choose. We offer storage for personal items, boat storage, RV storage, inventory storage for local businesses, and climate-controlled storage for items that can’t take Corpus Christi’s heat! You can reserve a storage unit in Corpus Christi with no deposit and no credit card needed. That way, it will be ready and waiting when you and your movers arrive! Until then, best of luck moving to this fabulous South Texas city, and we’ll see you when you arrive!

The post Guide on Moving to Corpus Christi, Texas appeared first on NSA Storage Blog.