Access can connect to any ODBC data source, including MYSQL. Using GoDaddy however is strongly discouraged here.

I second that.  In my last year with them, they switched my email client to Outlook and charged me for six Office 365 packages after stating on the phone that it would be the only way I could access my email.  I didn't know any better at the time but later found out that I had cheaper options.  I moved my domain registrations and email once I figured out I had been duped.  Turns out that now my registrations are cheaper and my email hosting is free.

OK folks... I have been with them since somewhere in the late 1980's/early 1990's and became complacent. I do like having Outlook on a Microsoft Exchange server (as much as i don't like being charged about $100.00/year for that), and when i was reminded that i had access to a form of SQL server, i was interested in exploring the possibilities.

With all of that said, are there a couple top recommendations that would serve me better?

Yes

Richard recommends WinHost. I second that recommendation fully.

If you click on the link Richard shared above, you can read about his recommendations.

I just thought he hated them so much he was highlighting them!

Definitely go with Winhost.

Mine are personal email accounts.  I found Zoho offers their "Forever Free Plan" email hosting.  It is limited, but it does what I need.  I am using Thunderbird as a client.

OK, WinHost get primary attention (between this Godzilla Access project that'll be the death of me, regular business, and moving to Virginia Beach this month...).

Regarding email- long ago i switched to a Microsoft Exchange account so when i make a change (send, receive, delete, ...) on one device (let's say my phone), when i pull up my email client on the computer i am looking at the same directory structure and emails as  i left off on the phone. With that new information in mind, suggestions?

I'm a Microsoft guy, but for email and calendar, I use Google. They had the best interface for desktop and mobile together first and, in my opinion, still do. I'm going to be putting together lessons on how to connect to them from Access soon.

Interesting. At this point i trust your recommendation far more than my rather antiquated learning. Funny when we have to subscribe to kingdoms (OK, massive companies) that though we have great reason to distrust, dislike and perhaps fear, they provide the best solutions.

To be continued in "General Discussion" at some point today -