[Rwarky]

With transplants discovering the treasures and low cost of living of Alabama, do you think this state is posed to become the next North Carolina in terms of growth, popularity, and expansion?

[southernnaturelover]

No. South Carolina and Georgia seem to be the 2nd and 3rd most preferred states (outside of FL of course).

[bluebeard]

For one thing, it took much more than just a low-cost of living to make those states so popular.
2nd of all, I don't know about all of these supposed transplants discovering Alabama. At least not any more so than a lot of other places, many of which also have a low cost of living.
3rd of all, if you look at population projection, almost everywhere will likely have a slower population growth than places have the last few decades.

[cpg35223]

Several things have to happen.

1) A more technologically driven economy.
2) A constitution that wouldn't be a laughing stock of some banana republic.
3) Long-term aggressive economic development efforts.

[Mawoods]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

several things have to happen.

1) a more technologically driven economy.
2) a constitution that wouldn't be a laughing stock of some banana republic.
3) long-term aggressive economic development efforts.

amen!!!!!!

[harry chickpea]

I had to vote "I hope not". Having grown up in an area that became a major tourist area, and having lived through many changes in South Florida, I have found that as soon as an area has the potential for big money a whole flock of vultures move in, taxes go through the roof, and restrictions get tighter than a tea-totaling nun in a monastery with a rusty chastity belt.

There are signs of it happening though. Athens is proposing a five day in jail punishment for having uncut weeds in the city. (So much for anyone wanting a wildlife friendly habitat there.) The change from government to business in the space development area means a lot of techs are now looking to strike out on their own. Attempts are being made by area leaders to lie quietly on their backs as prostitutes enticing big business by allowing incentives and not taxing them for a period of years. The golf trail is an effort to bring the big money men into the state for some southern hospitality. The crest of Lookout Mountain near Mentone is set to be the new Riviera for the rich from Atlanta, Chattanooga, and B'ham. The whole northeast square of the state, starting at about Montevallo, is set for major changes in the next thirty years. The rest of the state will end up like Bainbridge in south GA, or the northeast kingdom of Vermont.

[pjg66]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Several things have to happen.

1) A more technologically driven economy.
2) A constitution that wouldn't be a laughing stock of some banana republic.
3) Long-term aggressive economic development efforts.

Alabama has many good things going for it and is quite a nice place to live. And under certain conditions, it could be another southern boom state. But truthfully, it's not likely to happen, at least not anytime soon. Too many rather major things (some pointed out by cpg) would have to change.

Plus, there's a lot of people here who don't want this kind of change. They are happy with the way things are, or at most want progress to be in relatively small, incremental steps. Whatever economic progress has been made in this state, that's the way it has happened.

Maybe not such a bad thing considering what too rapid growth has done to some other parts of the country.

[WanderingImport]

I answered with a simple "no".

Reasons are listed in above posts.

[Tourian]

I'd say maybe, but most likely no. NC has just too much going for it and comparing metro to metro, Alabama is just not there yet and won't be unless something magical were to happen. And having a "boom" period is just not exciting or desireable to me. I'd much rather just see steady, measurable and controlled growth and improvement year over year until I die. Not some sudden bumrush of people trying to cash in on whatever "it" is that would make us catch up or surpass NC.

[Joeyj42]

Doubt it.