Any thoughts on moving from California to Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery: environment, real estate)

[wilkermoo]

My husband and I have thrown around the idea of moving from CA to AL. My husband has extended family living in the Gadsden area and we thought that we might enjoy living there as well.

What is the job situation like in that area? Can somebody who lives there tell me if they would consider moving there if they had the choice?

Does anybody think moving from CA to AL would be too much of an adjustment. I am a little concerned. While my husbands family has lived in Arkansas and Alabama, I have lived in CA my entire sheltered life.

I have always felt like my values and lifestyle do not fit in with CA. I believe that family comes first, not your job or the car you drive. I believe that it is more important to spend quality time doing things like fishing, camping, eating dinner together, playing in the back yard with your kids. In CA, newer home do not have backyards. You can buy a home with 2000 sq ft and NO backyard at all, literally. Many of the homes have backyards, but they are very small, mostly under 1/4 acre.

It feels like in CA you are always spinning your wheels trying to get ahead. I just wonder if leaving CA and moving to a place like AL is going to be a huge mistake. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[AnotherBravesFan]

...and you'll find others here on this forum considering it as well (Zenjenn & astrogirl are 2, I believe). Going from San Diego to Huntsville. From what you've said, I think you'll be fine. I think the biggest adjustments for me (a "type A" personality used to a fast pace in the city but looking to slow down) will be the slower pace of life and not having so many "conveniences" (e.g., multiple grocery stores, Staples, gas stations within 8 miles of my house). But there are so many positives, as you have mentioned: bigger yards (we're finding newer 2400 sf homes on a half acre for under $250,000 ~ try finding THAT in San Diego even for $700,000 ), more open space/parks/nature trails, cleaner air, a much lower cost of housing and living in general, friendlier people and children who've been taught good manners, a LOT less traffic and the stress that goes along with that , and did I mention the people? I can't wait to escape all these stressed out, rude drivers here! I can't speak to the job market in Gadsden; I'll leave that to the locals. For us, the cost difference in housing alone will allow me to retire early. Love that!

[Threestep]

Didn't mp33 just make the move from SO Cal to Birmingham?

[zenjenn]

I've been investigating this question as well, and even paid our city of choice (Huntsville) a visit.

Honestly, being a fellow Californian, so much trepidation comes from the reactions of other Californians who recoil with horror and disgust when you mention "Alabama" as if you just said you were moving to a 3rd world country. When so many people react that way, it makes you wonder if you are a freak for even considering it.

What I learned from my visit is that Alabama isn't a different universe, it's just a different state. Of course Huntsville, where I visited, is a bigger town with more of what I am accustomed to in California, but still for the most part its a global world now. My real estate agent mentioned he was born and raised in Gadsden. He was not a redneck hyper-conservative hick, he was an educated Jew with what I'd guess are some socially liberal leanings, and a delightful person. I'm sure Alabama has its share of the "stereotype" rednecks, but so does California with its flakes, bums, and gangs. That doesn't mean those are the people you deal with every day. I honestly don't think moving from one metro area to another metro area is massive culture shock these days, and those that complain about Alabama seem to complain about things I consider trivial, like a lack of night clubs. Yes, obviously if you are looking for a big hip swingin' night life or a fancy image stick cities that carry such a reputation. I can't say I personally understand the obsession with these things, but that's just me.

My husband and I are at this point prepared to move to Huntsville. My advice to you would be to visit Gadsden, spend time with the locals, and see what you think. I've concluded that it becomes apparent pretty quickly whether you will like a place or not. You spend just a few hours with locals and they will chat with you about all the great, as well as all the not-so-great, nuances of their area. People love to talk about themselves after all, and their home is a part of them. It's not difficult to get people to be forthcoming.

[Keeper]

I would suggest you look at the state employment website for jobs https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/
Gadsden is a decent size town. You can check out info on the town here. http://www.city-data.com/city/Alabama.html
There are a lot of towns small and bigger around Gadsden too.
To check out housing you can check here. ValleyMLS.com
Gadsden is in Etowah county and you can pick Gadsden from the list
Hope this helps.

[astrogirl]

Originally Posted by wilkermoo

Does anybody think moving from CA to AL would be too much of an adjustment. I am a little concerned. While my husbands family has lived in Arkansas and Alabama, I have lived in CA my entire sheltered life.

I have always felt like my values and lifestyle do not fit in with CA. I believe that family comes first, not your job or the car you drive. I believe that it is more important to spend quality time doing things like fishing, camping, eating dinner together, playing in the back yard with your kids. In CA, newer home do not have backyards. You can buy a home with 2000 sq ft and NO backyard at all, literally. Many of the homes have backyards, but they are very small, mostly under 1/4 acre.

It feels like in CA you are always spinning your wheels trying to get ahead. I just wonder if leaving CA and moving to a place like AL is going to be a huge mistake. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I guess we have been fortunate in not experiencing these negative things about CA and we like living here for many many reasons.

However, since we want to retire early and can't afford to in CA, we first began considering Huntsville for the much lower cost of living. After that, it became quickly apparent that the city has alot more to offer and many of the things we were looking for. I'm not worried about the CA to AL transition as we are friendly people respectful of others opinions and beliefs (though not necessarily agree but would never make abig deal out of it ) and enjoy mixing with people from a variety of life experiences. And since we have made similar "cultural" moves in past (IA to Northern Maine, and IL to CA), we are secretly looking forward to another similar challenge.

Bottom line, I agree with others to check this place out. I really don't think you will be as surprised as you think (which in itself may be the surprise!)

[suicidesamurai]

Originally Posted by wilkermoo

My husband and I have thrown around the idea of moving from CA to AL. My husband has extended family living in the Gadsden area and we thought that we might enjoy living there as well.

What is the job situation like in that area? Can somebody who lives there tell me if they would consider moving there if they had the choice?

Does anybody think moving from CA to AL would be too much of an adjustment. I am a little concerned. While my husbands family has lived in Arkansas and Alabama, I have lived in CA my entire sheltered life.

I have always felt like my values and lifestyle do not fit in with CA. I believe that family comes first, not your job or the car you drive. I believe that it is more important to spend quality time doing things like fishing, camping, eating dinner together, playing in the back yard with your kids. In CA, newer home do not have backyards. You can buy a home with 2000 sq ft and NO backyard at all, literally. Many of the homes have backyards, but they are very small, mostly under 1/4 acre.

It feels like in CA you are always spinning your wheels trying to get ahead. I just wonder if leaving CA and moving to a place like AL is going to be a huge mistake. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I lived in Alabama until I was 7 and then my family moved to San Diego and I stayed out there until I was 21 before moving back out to Alabama, and I've been back a year. So I'm no better than a transplant. There are people here (near Mobile) from all over the country. I have neighbors from California, Florida, Connecticut, Michigan, etc. My advice is that if you come out here, don't be a typical Californian. I've gotten along fine. Although it doesn't hurt that I can stomp out any doubt by reminding people that my great-grandfather was the mayor of Birmingham. I'm like redneck royalty.

[djknight]

Coming from a slightly different perspective ...

I lived in NY for 23 years, then moved to LA and lived there for 8 years. We moved to AL about ten years ago - after the Northridge quake - and I've been looking for a way to get back to the West Coast ever since.

Ironically, it was my idea for us to move to my husband's home state, to afford a safer environment in which to raise our children -- and we found that. Our children have enjoyed freedoms that they could never have found in LA. We don't worry too much when they go to the movies by themselves, (now ages 14 and 17), because we know everyone there - the population in our town is only about 5000.

But that is also a problem. I'm used to a good bit of anonymity, and that is just not an option in a small town. You are constantly under public scrutiny and judgement. If you don't show up for church on Sunday, then you can expect every one in WalMart to want to know why by Monday. It makes me nuts.

Granted, we are rural, but there is no culture to speak of within a two hour drive. There's just nothing to do here, other than go to church three times a week.

But the thing that really bothers me is the prejudice. While a lot of people will deny it exists here, the truth is, that prejudice is still alive in the south. My first day here, my sister-in-law, a college educated woman who was raised in an upper middle class home, shouted the "n" word at a driver because he cut her off. I was aghast.

And then there was the Baptist church that threw my family out because I had the audacity to bring the children of an African American friend of mine to Vacation Bible School.

Add to this that, at least in our community, if you weren't born here, you're not accepted here. Remember - these are people who have known each other since they were born. They really have no need to accept anyone new into their little circles.

So yeah, from my perspective, I would say your concerns about culture shock are warranted. I would definately think long and hard if I were you, before making the move.

Now -- having said all of this, it is important to remember that we are in a rural area - half way between Mobile and Montgomery - so it may be very different in other parts of the state.

If you could move on a trial basis for a few months and see if you like it before making it a permanent move, that might work to your benefit.

Good luck.

[zenjenn]

What you are saying is consistent with what I've heard a lot of people say is true except in bigger cities like Huntsville or Birmingham. Prejudice would bother me too. I didn't see any evidence of it in Huntsville, though I *DID* experience a general willingness to talk about race a lot more frankly - whereas in California people are very politically correct and try not to mention anyone's race unless cornered into doing so. It's a mixed bag, both good and bad I think. I think it is admirable to strive for a colorblind society, but perhaps also disingenuous to walk around ignoring race when there are still very real issues that need to be addressed.

But generally I think it has more to do with being rural. People in rural areas (whether Alabama or California or anywhere else) are slower to adopt change. That can be good sometimes, and it can be bad sometimes. It's easier to be a bigot when you live in a tiny area where you don't interact with the people you hate on a daily basis. People who live in modern, larger cities HAVE to learn to accept differences or things would erupt in chaos. That is why people think living in a diverse area is desirable. If it's diverse, there's less bigotry, and what bigotry there might be, people have enough social pressure to keep it to themselves. One of my concerns of moving to the "Bible Belt" was that I am a Jew, but seeing how diverse Huntsville is I no longer have any concern. I am put at ease by seeing people of many different races and background walking around and interacting without incident.

[Southlander]

Wow, djknight, if folks in Sunday school know where you were Sunday, or they kicked you out, that's a SMALL town. I wouldn't like living in a place like that either! That's one reason I like going to a pretty big church...what I do on Sunday if I'm not in church is between me and the Lord, not me and the deacons.