Recently moved to the Covington/Mandeville area (from Fairhope, AL)

Moved here on late July from Fairhope. I had a good job offer/opportunity here (in Mandeville) and have family in the area so decided to make the move.

Currently living in Covington and working in Mandeville. While the area isn't as nice as Fairhope, it's plenty nice. Mandeville/Covington is different but still a well above average place to live. People are chill and maybe even a little more laid back than people on the Eastern Shore...especially Fairhope which while really nice can be quite cliquish and snooty.

The local economy of Mandeville, Covington, nearby Abita Springs, and St Tammany parish in general seem to be much less tourism based which I like because it seems to be easier to find better non-service and non-tourism related job opportunities here than in Baldwin County. I don't know if that's because the competition for the better jobs in Baldwin County is more intense because the population there is growing so fast and people are moving there from more areas of the South and the Midwest compared to those moving to St Tammany parish but I was able to get a great job easier here than in Baldwin County.

For Mandeville, Covington, and nearby locals what are some can't miss events and more popular restaurants/bars in the area?

I've been a fan of Mandeville since visiting a handful of times each year sincce my brother, SIL, and nephews moved here about 10 years ago