It Starts Here: My First Week as a Gulf Shores Local

One of the first things we did after moving to Gulf Shores wasn’t unpack another box.

It was saying yes to an invitation.

Within days of arriving, we found ourselves sitting with new neighbors, listening to live music with our feet in the sand, sharing appetizers, and realizing something…

This wasn’t just the place we moved to.

It was already beginning to feel like home.

When people think about moving, they usually picture packing boxes, changing addresses, and getting settled into a new house. Those things are important, but they’re not what makes a place feel like home.

It’s the little moments.

Meeting neighbors who stop to say hello.

Finding a local spot where live music fills the air on a warm summer evening.

Discovering a great thrift store.

Learning your way around town.

Getting your resident parking pass.

Checking off the not-so-exciting tasks like setting up internet service and finding a post office box.

This week, I officially became a Gulf Shores resident.

I’ve helped people buy homes for years, but living here gives me a different perspective. I’m beginning to experience the everyday things my clients ask about—not just neighborhoods and home values, but where people gather, which local businesses stand out, and what daily life actually feels like.

One evening, we found ourselves at The Sloop, enjoying live music, great appetizers, and getting to know neighbors who couldn’t have been more welcoming. We had dinner at GT’s on the Bay, explored a few local thrift stores, and even found a wonderful local company to clean some furniture after the move.

None of those things will ever show up in a real estate listing.

But they’re exactly the kinds of experiences that turn a house into a home.

As I settle into this new chapter, I’m looking forward to sharing more than homes for sale. I want to share the people, places, businesses, and everyday moments that make life on Alabama’s Gulf Coast so special.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Gulf Shores or anywhere along Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast, I hope you’ll follow along. I’ll be sharing what I’m learning—not just about buying a home here, but about becoming part of the community.

Because buying a home is only the beginning.

It starts here.

Teri Dyess

The Alabama Agent

Helping you feel at home—before you ever unpack the first box.