Can You Share Your Views On Florence, Al? (Birmingham, Huntsville: relocation, real estate)

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friends:

Although not 'new' to City Data Forurms, I usually 'hang out' on the Illinois and Chicago Suburbs Forums. So this Alabama Forum is new to me. My grandparents lived in Florence, AL for a lifetime. And I have read that Florence is a beautiful city. So I would like to read your opinions about my relocation as a senior citizen / retired person to Florence. My grandparents lived close to seven corners in North Florence.
Currently, I live in Wheaton, Illinois where the property taxes are extremely high. Does Alabama have a personal property tax? Does it have an 'ABC' such as North Carolina? Although I don't consume much alcohol, I am still curious. How much is your automobile license plate fee? Any comments you care to make about Florence and Alabama in general would be appreciated. Thank you !

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[Keeper]

Sorry I can't tell you about Florence but I can answer some of your questions..
Property taxes are very low here, however there is a state income tax and you might have to pay it depending on your pension if you are retired. It is around 5 percent. Florence is a 'wet' city so you can buy alcohol there.

Housing prices are much lower here. You get a lot more for your money. Utilites are very reasonable also with TVA providing electricity.

You can check out this link from City-data for more info about Florence
http://www.city-data.com/city/Florence-Alabama.html

I think everyone is out today enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friend:

Thank you for answering regarding Florence. My wife and I are tentatively going to rent a cabin at the Joe Wheeler State Park this autumn. As a kid, I remember a little of the Tennessee River just East of Florence.
In Wheaton, Illinois our property taxes are out of sight. Depending upon the value of one's home (some new homes reach one-million dollars) one can pay up to about $18,000 per year in taxes. It just depends upon the value of one's property. We don't have an 'ABC' (Alcoholic Beverage Control) system in Illinois. So anyone can buy alcohol after 9 AM in most stores. And we don't have personal property taxes like North Carolina.
While living in Hickory, NC between 1961 to 1971, my parent's brand new house was constructed / purchased for about $17,000. That also included the lot. I suppose now their prices are very high.
I have a copy of the book, "Places Rated Almanac" by David Savageau. In that book, Florence, Alabama is rated very highly in most of the catagories. Hence, I think I would like to return there. Thank you again for your nice response.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass,
Wheaton, IL &
Cortland, IL

[Keeper]

Of course there are high end houses here but most are much less for a nice house. If you want to see what you get for the money.. check out valleymls.com. You can pick out Florence area in the search options.
I can give you a general idea of property taxes in Marshall county which is in the north east section of Al, a 100k house would be around 200.00 a year, HOI is around 500.00. It might be a little higher in Florence but I wouldn't think it would be that much more.
This is the bible belt area so you will find some weird laws regarding alcohol. You can live in a dry county but in a wet city.. go figure..

Good Luck

[jsherman9901]

I don't live in Florence but go there from time to time. It is a very nice city in rapidly growing NW Alabama. It is home to the University of North Alabama, which is known primarily as a music school. There is a rapidly growing arts scene in Florence with several galleries and a great public art center. They also have an "art night" the first Friday of every month on Court St, which is one of the main downtown streets. The downtown is very active, not too many empty storefronts. It was also recently announced that a new rail car factory will be built in Florence, and will employ as many as 1200 people. Because of that, and the fact that it is becoming a retirement magnet for many, I do expect to see the currently reasonable real estate prices start a steady climb. You really should check the place out.

[Southlander]

Florence is indeed a lovely city, and it is growing. With nearby Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals, the area is known as the "Quad Cities" or "Muscle Shoals area." The University of North Alabama (formerly Florence State University) gives downtown a nice young vibe. Because of the famous Muscle Shoals studio (although it is not as active as it used to be), there is some music activity. Florence has a great historic residential area, and the city seems to be developing its riverfront well. Florence is the home of the only Frank Lloyd Wright home in Alabama. There is a new Marriott resort, as well as fine golf courses. This area is just beginning to be promoted as a retirement locale. Alabama has a low property tax - not sure what you mean by "personal property" tax. Tag fees depend on the car. Yes, we have ABC stores, and the cities set operating hours for establishments selling liquor, beer and wine...that part would be VERY different from what you're used to. You are about an hour from Huntsville...2 hours from Memphis...a couple of hours from Birmingham. Nashville is up the Natchez Trace. It is hot indeed in the summer, but sometimes there is a dusting of snow in the winter. Much commercial activity has moved out to Cox Creek Parkway, but downtown is still fairly lively. You may remember Rogers department store...sadly, it closed a few years ago. It's good you are visiting the area; you can see for yourself!

[HOWELL_STREET]

THANK YOU for all of your responses - - 'Keeper', 'Jsherman', 'Southlander' and anyone else that I have missed. I am amazed at the low property taxes on a $100K house. In North Carolina, personal property taxes would also include an additional sur-tax on one's boat, one's firearms collection, and other ones that I have forgotten to mention. Usually big ticket items not taxed by any other method.
Sometime way back when in history, my paternal grandparents migrated from England. Although not Mormons, the joined the Mormon wagon trains and eventually headed down 'south' on the Natchez - Trace to a little place called 'Cypress Inn, TN'. From there, they moved to a tiny farming settlement called 'Threets Crossroads' , Alabama and then later to Florence.
While visiting them as a kid during the 1950s and 1960s, I remember a very nice cafeteria in downtown Florence. It was known as 'Starkeys' and may have been operated by a hospital. It could have been on Court Street by I don't remember. That is from memory many years ago so I may not have the details correct. However, I often wonder if they are still in business.
My membership name, "Howell_Street" comes from Howell Street in North Florence where at one time I had my first girlfriend there.
Some where on a creek-bridge near a quite famous old building with colonades - - maybe on Cox Creek(?), my father fell off the family car and got run over on his knee. Well he was hollering Wynn-Dixie and they took him to a local doctor. But it was amazing to me that it was not serious. I suppose the cars were much lighter during the late circa 1900.
Yes, only in nam, I remember the Rogers Store. My grand - aunt worked there - - I believe - - in the jewelry department. Her maiden name was Mary Blair. Thank you again for all of your comments !

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[HOWELL_STREET]

I forgot to mention about the Bible Belt. In Southern Illinois, the city of Effingham proclaims that it is the start of the Bible Belt. One can visit The Cross Foundation to view a beautiful cross 198 feet high. It is located on the east side of Interstate - 57. Of course, Illinois also has isolated towns that would fit into the Bible Belt. My home town of Wheaton, Illinois used to be one but many of the Christian organizations have moved away. However, we still have Tyndale Publications and a few others.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[Southlander]

Carter, we lived in Florence 1959-1961, when I was in 2nd grade. My school was Powell Elementary. I barely remember Starkey's, but do remember it was a favorite. Alas, it is gone. Also there was a restaurant in the basement of a one-story house...you would check off your menu choices on a little piece of paper. My dad ran the Wilson Drive-In Theatre when we were there. I also remember the Princess Theatre down the street from where I took piano lessons, in...Sheffield? Tuscumbia? You will recognize a lot but a lot has changed. Welcome home!

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friend:

When you mentioned the cafeteria in which one checked off food items on a card and pencil, then that must have been Starkeys. That's because I remember that. And I am sorry of its demise because the Southern Food there was excellent.
My grandparents lived at 1332 N. Wood Avenue in North Florence. One of my deceased relatives once mentioned that there is now a Taco Belle Restaurant on 'our' old homestead property. The property was on the corner of Indiana Street and North Wood avenue.
I can also remember 'white' corn cobs of Florence. In Illinois we never see 'white corn kernals but either yellow or a mix of yellow & white. A pen pal farmer of mine once told me that the 'white kernal' ears of corn are sold at a premium for hominy grits.
When you visit an Alabama ma & pa restaurant for breakfast, do they still offer grits? Or is it now hash brown potatoes due to the migration of Northerners fleeing the high prices of the North? Thank you for your response !

Best Regards,

Carter Glass