You're thinking 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 decision. Well, potentially southern-bound good friend, you've pertained to the right place - we have actually assembled a handy, delicious guide that will outline a few of the most essential points for someone in your position to evaluate.
We do not blame you for desiring to move 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 camera starts steaming, to savory soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Read on to discover why you may simply make Alabama your next move.
Job Market
According to U.S. Census information, about 4.875 million people presently live in the Cotton State. About 11,447 of those people moved here in between 2016 and 2017. Likewise, get this - 55% of the individuals overall in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 transferred to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Research Study. Why are so lots of people are flocking here?
Well, for starters, the state has a number of fast-growing task fields, including 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 dental expert, judge and orthodontist, specifies bizjournals.com.
The existing joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Data, so chances are quite excellent for finding work upon your move. The federal minimum wage is the same as the national average, nevertheless, at $7.25/ hour, mentions minimum-wage.
Don't forget that Alabama is home 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.
Housing
You're probably going to want a place to live after you move (we're just guessing), so what's the likelihood of finding a new place you'll enjoy (and be able to manage) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com mentions that the mean 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 balancing $824/month in Birmingham.
Houses in Alabama are mainly relatively brand-new, too - zillow.com shows that many houses currently offered were developed in the decade 2000-2010. So not only are odds good for you to find a budget-friendly place to live, but you'll also be taking a look at newish homes, too.
That being said, there's not much in the method of brand-new building and construction turning up nowadays, according to zillow.com. A little is happening in central 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 less expensive real estate, specifically around the state's hot-spots, interest you, you may just want to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Locals
When transferring to a new place, you may be curious about individuals there. Will they become your best buddies, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and stare out of a slit in your blinds in overall fear?
According to residents, locals can be a real variety. The agreement is that Alabamians like to gossip, are passive-aggressive, and might simply trick you with their deceptive insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not suggested warmly, however rather sardonically - 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, however. Residents stress that the main ambiance of their state is among 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 quit 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 lots of residents and travelers alike.
The individuals 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. 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 website plates.
Alabamians pride themselves on their abundant food and cultural pride. They have uncommon, 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 whatever in TABASCOĂ’ sauce.
It seems fitting, with a diet plan that rich and heavy, that residents like to observe a slower pace 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 relocate to the Heart of Dixie, however cool your jets get more info for a moment. Before you go racing off like you're a motorist at Talladega Superspeedway, inspect out this list we have actually put together of a few of the state's primary tourist attractions.
Here simply a few of the state's can't- miss activities and sights:
U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum consists of access to the historic Shuttle Park and Rocket Park and showcases special artifacts from the country's space expedition. It's considered 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, extremely prepared for Space Camp program including the Air travel Difficulty, in which trainees go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's tallest cast iron statue stands an excellent 56 feet high. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel industry - and he's type of a huge deal. His 100th birthday was a big event that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Located in Woodville, this park uses cave tours, camping sites, hiking and backpacking. It has the largest entryway of any business cavern in the world, and features a sparkly Gemstone Mine with a gem mining experience available to any ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "greatest and baddest" track, it's situated in Lincoln and includes a hugely anticipated annual NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race chooses 188 laps, covering simply over 500 miles. Now that's a lot 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 looking one of humanity's greatest natural predators practically right in the face.
Advantages and disadvantages of Residing In the Heart of Dixie
Prior to you best your BARBEQUE dish and run off to see the alligators and the world's tallest Vulcan, we thought it might be worth taking into factor to consider a short-and-sweet list of a couple of pros and cons of moving to Alabama.
Low cost of living: It's obvious that realty in the Cotton State is quite low-cost, and taxes are quite low. We suspect that's just one of the huge reasons that 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 chose this as their new home.
Nature + all four seasons: The terrain of Alabama is widely-varied, including beaches, mountains and forests. Because of this, there are plenty of activities for all different breeds of outdoorsy types. 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 downpours.
Music: Because of its location, the Yellowhammer State draws lots of huge music acts each year. The Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores is the state's biggest annual music event. Huge names in all categories - varying from jazz to rock 'n' roll to nation - make looks here.
Food: As we've already mentioned, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a whopping 28 different food festivals every year.
Distance to significant cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are simply day-trips far from the Heart of Dixie. 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 absolutely freezing. Residents say 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 genuine struggle to crack down on (no pun planned).
Serious storms: While experiencing all four seasons can be argued as an advantage, it also 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 tornado states. The spring and fall seasons bring heavy thunderstorms, and mid-year brings hurricanes. At any time of year, residents go through periods of apparently random rainstorms, that can stop as rapidly as here they start. Locals joke, "If you do not like the weather condition here, wait five minutes."
Odd 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 thinking about making your next homeland. We've assembled 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 wish to keep their railways without livestock, and they're truly serious about it.
It's prohibited to impersonate a priest. Genuine. Stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comical efforts towards new product - you'll thank us later on.
Since it could trigger laughter, it's illegal 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 pals, there you have it - a carefully developed guide to some of the primary contemplation points for long-term relocation. Obviously, we can't state and lie that we're able to provide you absolutely all the essential details that might affect 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 decision rocket from.
Now it depends on you to decide (after potentially doing some more research) if you can picture yourself in the Yellowhammer State, among the not-at-all and outstanding challenging rocket scientists, the quick racecar drivers, 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 do not forget to remember "Sweet House Alabama."