You're believing of moving to Alabama, but you're not sure you have actually thoroughly mulled-over all the super-important information before getting here at your choice. Well, perhaps southern-bound pal, you've concerned the ideal place - we've put together a handy, delicious guide that will outline a few of the most essential points for someone in your position to examine.
We don't blame you for wishing 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 substantial advances in the space program and unbelievably smart people? Plenty - from lovely landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so fast your cam starts steaming, to tasty soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Continue reading to discover why you may simply make Alabama your next move.
Task Market
According to U.S. Census data, about 4.875 million people presently reside in the Cotton State. About 11,447 of those people moved here in between 2016 and 2017. Also, get this - 55% of individuals in general in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Study. Why are so many individuals are gathering here?
Well, for starters, the state has several fast-growing task fields, consisting of computer technology, physical therapy, nursing, occupational treatment, airplane assembly and Emergency Medical Technician, to name a few, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid professions consist of pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law dentist, judge and orthodontist, specifies bizjournals.com.
The present joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Data, so chances are quite 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 house to NASA, the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Area Flight Center. If you've got a love for all-things aeronautical, this could effectively be the new home of your dreams.
Real estate
You're most likely going to desire a location to live after you move (we're simply guessing), 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 average value of homes currently on the market is $128,900, with an average listing cost of $190,000. The mean house lease is $995/month, with one-bedroom apartment or condos balancing $824/month in Birmingham.
Houses in Alabama are mainly relatively brand-new, too - zillow.com reveals that a lot of houses currently available were built in the decade 2000-2010. So not only are odds helpful for you to discover an affordable location to live, but you'll also be looking at newish residential or commercial properties, too.
That being said, there's not much in the method of brand-new building popping up these days, according to zillow.com. A little is happening in main Alabama, around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a small bit in the northern end of the state, in and around Huntsville.
If cheaper real estate, specifically around the state's hot-spots, interest you, you may just wish to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Locals
When transferring to a new location, you might be curious about the people there. Will they become your buddies, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and look out of a slit in your blinds in overall fear?
According to locals, locals can be a real mixed bag. The agreement is that Alabamians enjoy to chatter, are passive-aggressive, and may just deceive you with their questionable insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not implied warmly, but rather sardonically - and if you hear it, chances are great that once you have actually left, you'll be spoken about.
Do not let that discourage you. Locals stress that the primary ambiance of their state is one of real southern hospitality - they utilize "sir" and "ma'am" out of respect, 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 adjusting your vocabulary and pronunciations after a relocation to Alabama. Don't be the loser who sticks out like a sore thumb simply since you're partial to your consonants.
Yellowhammer State Trivia
Montgomery, Alabama was the where a famous occasion took place on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks fearlessly 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 tourists and residents alike.
The people of the Cotton State are insane about BBQ - and we do suggest CRAZY. They'll combat to the death (possibly not literally) over which dining establishment or local cookout serves up the best.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sweet House Alabama" if it comes on the radio, and they'll crank it as much as 11. Even Alabamians who privately hate the tune will begin to boogie when they hear that well-known opening riff. 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, allegedly 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 fitting, with a diet that heavy and abundant, 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, luggage in hand, prepared to make your transfer 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, take a look at 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 activities and sights:
U.S. Area & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum consists of access to the historic Shuttle Park and Rocket Park and showcases special artifacts from the nation's space exploration. It's thought about to be the world's largest space museum, and lays out the history of the U.S. space program. It's also house to the annual, highly prepared for Space Camp program featuring the Air travel Challenge, in which trainees 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 substantial event that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Found in Woodville, this park offers cave trips, campsites, treking and backpacking. It has the best entrance of any commercial collapse 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 lies in Lincoln and includes an extremely anticipated 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: Found in Summerdale, this swamp sanctuary has an elevated boardwalk featuring a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and various sort of more info wildlife. If you're into staring one of humanity's most significant natural predators almost right in the face, this is the location for you.
Advantages and disadvantages of Residing In the Heart of Dixie
Prior to you best your BBQ recipe and run off to see the alligators and the world's highest Vulcan, we believed it may be worth thinking about a short-and-sweet list of a couple of benefits and drawbacks of moving to Alabama.
Low cost of living: It's no trick that genuine estate in the Cotton State is quite cheap, and taxes are pretty low. We presume that's simply among the huge reasons why 55% of relocators nationwide in 2017 selected this as their new house.
Nature + all 4 seasons: The surface of Alabama is widely-varied, consisting of mountains, beaches and forests. There are plenty of activities for all various breeds of outdoorsy types because of this. Locals also like to mention that they experience all 4 seasons and see weather condition from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, damp summer seasons and spring torrential rainstorms.
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. Big names in all genres - ranging from jazz to rock 'n' roll to country - emerge here.
Food: As we've already mentioned, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. In fact, the town of Birmingham alone has a whopping 28 different food festivals every year. Among them are the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off, Taste of Homewood, BBQ for Building, Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-Off and BHamBurger Fight. Seriously, do not consume anything for a while prior to you show up here - you'll be packing your face in no time.
Proximity to major cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are just day-trips away from the Heart of Dixie. This prime location provides itself to numerous opportunities to see all type of festivals, concerts, read more museums, state parks, shopping destinations and more. Did you actually believe you 'd be tired here?
While the humidity in the summer season is undoubtedly bad, it's the winter season that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the additional moisture causes cold temperature levels to feel definitely freezing. Locals say that it's not uncommon for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees.
Drug usage: The more backwoods of the state have real problems with hardship, homelessness and block after block of deserted homes. With this naturally comes troublesome substance abuse, and in Alabama's case, methamphetamine labs are a genuine battle to punish (no pun intended).
Extreme storms: While experiencing all 4 seasons can be argued as a good idea, it also website suggests that there's chance for all type of stormy weather condition - and this state sees a few of the most serious. For starters, it is among the most active twister states. The spring and fall seasons bring heavy thunderstorms, and mid-year brings hurricanes. At any time of year, residents are subject to durations of apparently random downpours, that can stop as quickly as they begin. Residents joke, "If you don't like the weather here, wait 5 minutes."
Weird Laws
We 'd be doing you a significant injustice if we left without giving you a list of a few of the strangest, lamest and downright dumbest laws still in presence 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 just a couple of from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railroad track is punishable by death. They want to keep their railways free of livestock, and they're truly serious about it.
It's prohibited to impersonate a priest. For genuine. So stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comedic efforts towards brand-new product - you'll thank us later.
It's illegal to use a fake moustache in church due to the fact that it could cause laughter. (See? We told you they were super-serious about their church.) Faith is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's illegal to use a mask in public. Guy, so what are we expected to do on Halloween?
It's unlawful to play dominoes on Sunday. It disturbs the day off. Duh. You know how heated those dominoes matches can get!
Gotten ready for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well friends, there you have it - a thoroughly developed guide to some of the primary contemplation points for long-term relocation. Naturally, we can't lie and say that we're able to offer you absolutely all the essential details that might influence your decision (we 'd be here for days), however it's our hope that we've offered you a good introducing pad to fire up your choice rocket from.
Now it's up to you to choose (after potentially doing some more research) if you can imagine yourself in the Yellowhammer State, among the excellent and not-at-all challenging rocket scientists, the quick racecar motorists, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a real satisfaction compiling this guide for you, and we hope you have actually had your fill of Alabama goodies.
Good luck - and don't forget to remember "Sweet House Alabama."