[mtg71286]

my parents and i are looking to relocate to Alabama particularly the tuscumbia area. i was wondering what the area in general is like.
so heres a few questions,
1. Is this area heavily religious?
2. being 21 i need a entry level job maybe in retail. how many entry level jobs are there either in retail or other places?
3. Is this a northerner friendly area?
4. whats the economy like overall? is it good or is it bad.
5. whats the crime like in the county?
6. are the any areas too avoid?
7. whats the shopping and night life like in this area.

thanks for any help.

[redcan]

Wow, I envy you! I've never lived in Tuscumbia, but my sweet dad's family does -- a LOT of my dad's family! I've visited over my whole life (58 years), and I love it there. I can't answer your specific questions, but it is so beautiful there. 'Course I know so many people there that I would not feel very out-of-touch, but I can only assume it to be a very friendly place to live. I don't think the job market is all that lucrative, but Florence is not really very far away and I think it may have a decent job market. Best wishes!

redcan

[Bravo35223]

1) I would say that as a generality, the smaller communities in Alabama, (such a Tuscumbia) are indeed quite religious. Much less so in the cities.

2) The job market in retail in Tusumbia is going to be low frankly.

3) Yes...I think you would find the people there would accept you just fine.

4) Alabama has a very strong economy overall. One of the strongest in the nation. Unfortunately the quad cities area of NW Alabama is not a hot spot.

5) Low crime.

6) As a generality, avoid the low income areas from a crime standpoint. The area around Turtle Point Golf and Yacht Club is really beautiful and has some superb homes. This is in Florence.

7) The shopping and night life will be limited. Frankly much of the area is 'dry' and alcoholic beverages cannot be sold.

Frankly, based on your criteria, I would look elsewhere in Alabama....try the Huntsville metro area...there would be much more retail there than in Tuscumbia and Huntsville is loaded with out-of-staters. Huntsville is growing and has a strong economy built on high tech and aerospace/defense.

Beyond a doubt, from a retail and nightlife standpoint, Birmingham stands head and shoulders above the rest of the state. Not only is it the largest metro, but Birmingham has very strong retailing even for a city its size bc the demographics in Birmingham's southern suburbs are very very strong. There's a lot of wealth in these suburbs....as a result the retail market in Birmingham is excellent....Saks Fifth Avenue, Rich's, Williams Sonoma etc.

Also Birmingham is a good place for retirees.

[Southlander]

To add to what Bravo35223 said,

Yes, shopping in the QuadCities is limited...there is more in nearby Huntsville. Nightlife...there is some, thanks to Muscle Shoals' reputation with the late Fame recording studio and UNA students, but it is limited. There is some more in Huntsville and a LOT more in Birmingham. You are also only 2 hours from Memphis, and a couple to Nashville.
Although the counties are dry, the cities - Florence, at least - are wet. And in Alabama, dry means dry - no liquor, beer OR wine - and wet means wet - liquor, beer AND wine. No Sunday sales, though.
You will also want to look up the hard facts at http://www.city-data.com/city/Tuscumbia-Alabama.html . Be sure to look up the stats for Florence, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals...they're all so close they flow into each other.