Florala (Ozark, Andalusia, Jackson: relocating, housing, condos)

[cindymac]

Thinking of relocating to Florala from Nashville, what should I expect as far as jobs, safety, housing, and recreation (water, hiking, biking)?

[Southlander]

You're kidding, right?
Surely you know the famous Florala is a bar that straddles the Florida-Alabama state line.
Good for you, you made a joke.

[lookingatnorthalabama]

Southlander--Florala actually is a town. You're thinking about the Flora-Bama.

[Southlander]

ACK! You're right. Tells you where I'd rather be!!!

[cindymac]

Originally Posted by lookingatnorthalabama

Southlander--Florala actually is a town. You're thinking about the Flora-Bama.

Thhank you for your civil, accurate reply. Do you know anything about Florala?

[lookingatnorthalabama]

cindymac--I'm afriad I don't know anything about Florala. I've only heard of it and know where it is located. Don't even recall if I've ever passed through.

[Sinkbean]

It's a really small town. I've been "through" it many times, but it didn't seem to have much going for it.
What makes you choose that town to want to move to?

[Socal2Bham]

I have driven through Florala many times as well on the way to Ft. Walton, FL where my 'mother-in-law' used to live.

It is a very small town, less than 2K according to City-data. Obviously, as the name indicates it is right on the state line of Alabama and Florida. It is only another 45 minutes from Florala to Ft. Walton.

There are some really cool historic homes along the route through Florala.

I can't really tell what the industry is there to sustain the residents unless it is mostly made up of retried people. They do have their own school system though.

[alabama_mike]

How's it going? I grew up in Alabama and moved to Wa. state 8 years ago. My family has a large farm in Florala. Let me tell you what to expect about that place. I only lived there during the summers, and vacations, etc. but my younger brothers went to school there and graduated.

The town itself is a joke if you are younger than say 70 years old. It's small town justice way of life, where if you are out past 10pm you are guaranteed to be pulled over and harassed by the police. Regardless of skin color. They have DUI roadblocks all of the time. The only thing going for them is they do have a Hardee's hamburger place, an Omelette Shoppe, and the best buffet you'll ever find.

There is absolutely zero work there. Most people drive to Panama City to work construction jobs, or clean condos. If you make over $20K a year there, people will get jealous and call you "rich". lol lol

Drugs are rampant there. I would say it has become an epidemic there. Since there is nothing there to do, most people pop pain killers, do meth, or smoke crack. Your ambulance service would respond from about 23 miles away, also.

The civil right movement must have missed that place. The town is still as segregated as it was 200 years ago. And the locals refer to the "black section" as the "N*gger Quarters". You can quote me.

So hopefully I helped you decide about your move. A nicer place, just North is Andalusia. The school system isn't a joke. But really the whole area is pretty much poverty stricken. You could buy a house for around $40K.

Lake Jackson is a nice lake though, but gets really really crowded in the summers. The only people making money in Florala are the Antique dealers and the drug dealers.

Good day
Mike

[cindymac]

Thank you all for your info. I was passing thru Florala on the trip to/from Ft.Walton from Nashville, and kinda liked the old houses and old town buildings. It is so close to the beach, figured perhaps no trouble from hurricanes, so no ridiculous insurance or housing rates, and what a great location it would be if Florala was/might become an affordable, funky, artsy, music town. I suppose it would take tons of money to change. The drug problem is definitely a turnoff. I grew up in a small town in Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains, practically on Greers Ferry Lake. The terrain is definitely different in Florala, and it has been a long time since I lived in a small town. I certainly remember the provincial mindset. I've always been a waterbaby, like hot weather and gardening, thus the appeal of the location and especially the beach. I wondered if any developers are looking that way. I don't like how crowded the beachfront is now. Anyway, guess I may stay put, even though low housing costs are appealing. Thanks again for all your input.