So you're believing of relocating to Alabama, but you're not exactly sure you've completely mulled-over all the super-important details prior to reaching your decision. Well, potentially southern-bound friend, you have actually come to the right location - we have actually assembled an useful, yummy guide that will describe 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 Space 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 area program and unbelievably clever people? Plenty - from stunning landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so quick your electronic camera begins steaming, to savory soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Keep reading to find why you might just make Alabama your next relocation.
Task Market
According to U.S. Census data, about 4.875 million people presently live in the Cotton State. Get this - 55% of the people in general in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Research Study.
Well, for starters, the state has several fast-growing job fields, consisting of computer system science, physical therapy, nursing, occupational treatment, airplane assembly and Emergency Medical Technician, among others, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid professions consist of pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law orthodontist, dentist and judge, states bizjournals.com.
The present joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Data, so odds 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 house to NASA, the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight. If you've got a love for all-things aeronautical, this could extremely well be the new house of your dreams.
Real estate
You're most likely going to desire a place to live after you move (we're just guessing), so what's the probability of discovering a brand-new place you'll enjoy (and have the ability to pay for) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com mentions that the average value of homes currently on the market is $128,900, with an average listing cost of $190,000. The average home rent is $995/month, with one-bedroom apartment or condos averaging $824/month in Birmingham.
Homes in Alabama are mostly fairly new, too - zillow.com shows that most homes presently readily available were integrated in the years 2000-2010. Not only are chances excellent for you to discover a budget-friendly location to live, however you'll likewise be looking at newish residential or commercial properties, too.
That being said, there's not much in the method of brand-new building and construction appearing nowadays, according to zillow.com. A little is happening in central Alabama, in and around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a small bit in the northern end of the state, around Huntsville.
If less expensive housing, especially around the state's hot-spots, appeals to you, you may simply wish to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Locals
When moving 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 paranoia?
According to locals, homeowners can be a genuine variety. The consensus is that Alabamians love to chatter, are passive-aggressive, and may just fool you with their questionable insults. The expression "bless your heart" is not indicated warmly, but rather sarcastically - and if you hear it, odds are excellent that when you've left, you'll be talked about.
Don't let that deter you, however. 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 lots of food. They might describe you as a Yankee if you're from the North, but this they in fact do out of (buffooning) love.
You'll discover yourself adjusting your vocabulary and pronunciations after a move to Alabama. Do not 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 well-known event happened on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks bravely declined to give up her seat on the bus to a white male. Today, to honor this local female's act of bravery, the Rosa Parks Library and Museum stands in the town of Montgomery, drawing in great deals of locals and travelers alike.
Individuals of the Cotton State are crazy about BARBEQUE - and we do suggest CRAZY. They'll battle to the death (perhaps not actually) over which restaurant or regional cookout provides the very best. These are not conversations to be participated in gently. Be prepared to explain, and safeguard, your stance.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sweet House Alabama" if it comes on the radio, and they'll crank it approximately 11. Even Alabamians who secretly dislike the tune will start 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 methods and have you reaching for 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 transfer to the Heart of Dixie, however cool your jets for a moment. Before 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 out on sights and activities:
U.S. Area & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum includes access to the historical Shuttle bus Park and Rocket Park and showcases distinct artifacts from the nation's area expedition. 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 students go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's highest cast iron statue stands an outstanding 56 feet tall. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and create, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel industry - and he's kind of a big offer. His 100th birthday was a huge celebration that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Located in Woodville, this park uses cave tours, camping areas, hiking and backpacking. It has the widest entrance of any industrial collapse the world, and includes a sparkly Gemstone 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 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: Located in Summerdale, this overload 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 gazing 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 highest Vulcan, we thought it might be worth thinking about 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 pretty inexpensive, and taxes are quite low. We believe that's simply among the big reasons 55% of relocators nationwide in 2017 selected this as their new home.
Nature + all four seasons: The terrain of Alabama is widely-varied, consisting of beaches, mountains and forests. There are plenty of activities for all different types of outdoorsy types since of this. Residents likewise 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: Due to the fact that of its area, the Yellowhammer State draws great deals of huge music acts each year. The Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores is the state's biggest yearly music occasion. Big names in all genres - ranging from jazz to rock 'n' roll to country - make appearances here.
Food: As we've already discussed, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. In truth, the town of Birmingham alone has a massive 28 different food festivals every year. Among them are the Exceptional Structure Chili Cook-Off, Taste of Homewood, BARBEQUE 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 significant cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are simply day-trips far from the Heart of Dixie. read more This prime place lends itself to countless opportunities to see all kinds of celebrations, performances, museums, state parks, going shopping tourist attractions and more. Did you truly think you 'd be bored here?
While the humidity in the summer is undeniably bad, it's the winter season that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the additional wetness causes cold temperatures 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.
Substance abuse: The more backwoods of the state have real problems with hardship, homelessness and block after block of deserted houses. With this naturally comes problematic substance abuse, and in Alabama's case, methamphetamine laboratories are a real struggle to punish (no pun meant).
Extreme storms: While experiencing all four seasons can be argued as a good thing, it likewise implies that there's opportunity for all kinds of rainy weather - and this state sees some of the most severe. For beginners, it's one of the most active tornado states.
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 simply a few from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railway track is punishable by death. They desire to keep their railroads complimentary of livestock, and they're really severe about it.
It's unlawful to impersonate a priest. For real. So stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comical efforts towards new material - you'll thank us later on.
It's illegal to use a fake moustache in church due to the fact that it could trigger laughter. Religious beliefs is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's illegal to use a mask in public. Man, so what more info are we expected to do on Halloween?
It's unlawful to play dominoes on Sunday. It interrupts the day of rest.
Prepared for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well friends, there you have it - a thoroughly designed guide to a few of the primary consideration points for irreversible relocation. Naturally, we can't lie and say that we're able to offer you absolutely all the important details that might influence your choice (we 'd be here for days), but it's our hope that we have actually given you a great introducing pad to fire up your decision rocket from.
Now it depends on you to decide (after possibly doing some further research) if you can picture yourself in the Yellowhammer State, among the remarkable 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.
Best of luck - and don't forget to remember "Sweet Home Alabama."