You're thinking of moving to Alabama, however you're not sure you have actually thoroughly mulled-over all the super-important information before getting here at your decision. Well, potentially southern-bound good friend, you have actually come to the right location - we've put together a handy, delicious guide that will outline some of the most crucial points for someone in your position to examine.
We don't blame you for desiring to relocate to the Heart of Dixie (as it's called) considering that the state is house to rocket scientists - Huntsville houses both the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Area Flight Center at the Redstone Arsenal. The U.S. Army's lead rocket engineer, Wernher von Braun, led NASA's rocketry program throughout the '60s.
What else does the Yellowhammer State need to offer, besides big advances in the space program and unbelievably clever people? Plenty - from stunning landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so quickly your camera begins steaming, to mouth-watering soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Keep reading to find why you might just make Alabama your next relocation.
Job Market
According to U.S. Census information, about 4.875 million people currently live in the Cotton State. Get this - 55% of the individuals overall in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Research Study.
Well, for beginners, the state has several fast-growing job fields, consisting of computer technology, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, airplane assembly and Emergency Medical Technician, to call a few, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid careers consist of pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law judge, orthodontist and dental professional, mentions bizjournals.com.
The existing joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Data, so chances are pretty good for finding work upon your move. The federal minimum wage is the exact same as the nationwide average, nevertheless, at $7.25/ hour, mentions minimum-wage.
Do not forget that Alabama is home to NASA, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight. This might really well be the brand-new house of your dreams if you have actually got a love for all-things aerial.
Real estate
You're most likely going to desire a location to live after you move (we're simply thinking), so what's the probability of discovering a brand-new location you'll like (and be able to afford) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com states that the median value of homes currently on the market is $128,900, with an average listing price of $190,000. The median home rent is $995/month, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $824/month in Birmingham.
Homes in Alabama are mostly fairly new, too - zillow.com shows that most houses presently available were built in the decade 2000-2010. So not only are odds great for you to find a budget-friendly location to live, however you'll likewise be taking a look at newish properties, too.
That being stated, there's not much in the way of brand-new building and construction turning up nowadays, according to zillow.com. A little is occurring in central Alabama, in and around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a tiny bit in the northern end of the state, around Huntsville.
If less expensive housing, especially around the state's hot-spots, interest you, you might just wish to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Natives
When relocating to a new place, you may be curious about the individuals there. Will they become your buddies, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and gaze out of a slit in your blinds in total fear?
According to residents, citizens can be a real mixed bag. The agreement is that Alabamians like to gossip, are passive-aggressive, and might simply trick you with their underhanded insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not suggested warmly, however rather sarcastically - and if you hear it, odds are good that as soon as you have actually left, you'll be discussed.
Don't let that dissuade you. Residents stress that the main ambiance of their state is one of true southern hospitality - they utilize "sir" and "ma'am" out of regard, and will give you a warm welcome and great deals of food. They may describe you as a Yankee if you're from the North, but this they actually do out of (buffooning) love.
You'll discover yourself changing your vocabulary and pronunciations after a move to Alabama. Don't be the loser who sticks out like an aching thumb just because you're partial to your consonants.
Yellowhammer State Trivia
Montgomery, Alabama was the where a popular event took place on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks bravely refused to offer up her seat on the bus to a white guy. Today, to honor this local lady's act of bravery, the Rosa Parks Library and Museum stands in the town of Montgomery, attracting great deals of travelers and locals alike.
The individuals of the Cotton State are crazy about BARBEQUE - and we do imply CRAZY. They'll battle to the death (perhaps not actually) over which restaurant or regional cookout serves up the finest.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sweet House Alabama" if it comes on the radio, and they'll crank it approximately 11. When they hear that famous opening riff, even Alabamians who covertly dislike the tune will start to boogie. The tune has made such an impression on the culture that it's even printed on license plates.
Alabamians pride themselves on their abundant food and cultural pride. They have rare, apparently lobster-tasting shrimp called "Royal Reds" from the Gulf of Mexico, fried green tomatoes, super-sweet tea (heavy on the sweet, light on the tea) and MoonPies - and they smother everything in TABASCOĂ’ sauce.
It appears more info fitting, with a diet that abundant and heavy, that locals like to observe a slower speed of life. These self-proclaimed "salt of the earth" types will make you forget your health-enthusiast ways and have you grabbing seconds. Bring additional napkins.
Must-See Alabama Fun + Activities
We understand you're already midway out the door, travel luggage in hand, ready to make your relocate to the Heart of Dixie, however cool your jets for a moment. Prior to you go racing off like you're a motorist at Talladega Superspeedway, check out this list we have actually compiled of some of the state's primary attractions.
Here simply a few of the state's can't- miss sights and activities:
U.S. Area & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum consists of access to the historical Shuttle Park and Rocket Park and showcases special artifacts from the country's space expedition. It's thought about to be the world's largest area museum, and outlines the history of the U.S. space program. It's likewise house to the annual, highly prepared for Space Camp program featuring the Air travel Challenge, in which students go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's highest cast iron statue stands an outstanding 56 feet high. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and create, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel industry - and he's type of a huge offer. His 100th birthday was a huge event that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 individuals.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Located in Woodville, this park provides cavern trips, campsites, treking and backpacking. It has the best entrance of any commercial cave in the world, and includes a sparkly Gems Mine with a gem mining experience available to all ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "most significant and baddest" track, it's situated in Lincoln and includes an extremely prepared for annual NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race opts for 188 laps, covering simply over 500 miles. Now that's a great deal of high-speed left turns.
Alligator Alley: Located in Summerdale, this swamp sanctuary has a raised boardwalk including a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and various kinds of wildlife. This is the location for you if you're into looking one of humanity's greatest natural predators almost right in the face.
Pros and Cons of Living in the Heart of Dixie
Before you ideal your BARBEQUE dish and run to see the alligators and the world's tallest Vulcan, we thought it might be worth taking into consideration a short-and-sweet list of a couple of benefits and drawbacks of relocating to Alabama.
Low cost of living: It's no secret that realty in the Cotton State is quite low-cost, and taxes are quite low. We suspect that's just one of the big reasons that 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 picked this as their brand-new house.
Nature + all four seasons: The surface of Alabama is widely-varied, including mountains, forests and beaches. Due to the fact that of this, there are a lot of activities for all various types of outdoorsy types. Locals also like to point out that they experience all four seasons and see weather from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, humid summers and springtime torrential downpours.
Music: Because of its location, the Yellowhammer State draws lots of big music acts each year. The Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores is the state's largest annual music event. Huge names in all categories - varying from jazz to rock 'n' roll to nation - make looks here.
Food: As we have actually currently discussed, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a massive 28 different food festivals every year.
Proximity to major cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are just day-trips away from the Heart of Dixie. This prime area provides itself to numerous opportunities to see all kinds of festivals, performances, museums, state parks, going shopping destinations and more. Did you truly believe you 'd be bored here?
While the humidity in the summertime is unquestionably bad, it's the winter that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the extra wetness triggers cold temperatures to feel absolutely frigid. Residents state that it's not uncommon for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees.
Substance abuse: The more rural locations of the state have real problems with hardship, homelessness and block after block of deserted houses. With this naturally comes problematic drug usage, and in Alabama's case, methamphetamine laboratories are a real struggle to split down on (no pun planned).
Serious storms: While experiencing all four seasons can be argued as an advantage, it likewise implies that there's opportunity for all sort of rainy weather - and this state sees some of the most extreme. For starters, it's one of the most active twister states. The spring and fall seasons bring heavy thunderstorms, and mid-year brings typhoons. At any time of year, locals are subject to durations of relatively random downpours, that can stop as rapidly as they begin. Locals joke, "If you don't like the weather condition here, wait five minutes."
Strange Laws
We 'd be doing you a major injustice if we left without providing you a list of some of the strangest, lamest and downright dumbest laws still around in the state you're considering making your next homeland. We have actually put together a few that'll have you raising an eyebrow in no time.
Here are simply a couple of from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railroad track is punishable by death. They wish to keep their railroads without livestock, and they're truly severe about it.
It's unlawful to impersonate a priest. Genuine. Stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comedic efforts towards brand-new material - you'll thank us later on.
Due to the fact that it could trigger laughter, it's unlawful to use a fake moustache in church. (See? We informed you they were super-serious about their church.) Religious beliefs is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's prohibited to wear a mask in public. Male, so what are we supposed to do on Halloween?
It's prohibited to play dominoes on Sunday. It disrupts the day of rest.
Gotten ready for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well buddies, there you have it - a carefully developed guide to some of the main contemplation points for long-term moving. Obviously, we can't say and lie that we have the ability to provide you definitely all the essential information that could affect your decision (we 'd be here for days), however it's our hope that we have actually provided you an excellent launching pad to fire up your choice rocket from.
Now it's up to you to choose (after possibly doing some additional research study) if you can visualize yourself in the Yellowhammer State, amongst the not-at-all and excellent intimidating rocket researchers, the rapid racecar chauffeurs, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a genuine pleasure assembling this guide for you, and we hope you have actually had your fill of Alabama goodies.
Best of luck - and do not forget to memorize "Sweet House Alabama."