[JerseyGirl3624]

Looking to relocate down south someday. Completely confused and cannot figure out WHERE!
Anyway, is there a store that sells lightening glass like in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama"?

The town I live in NJ has a beautiful downtown that has mall stores along with mom & pop stores. Lots of restaurants and great stores like Traders Joe and Wegman (grocery stores) nearby.
I would love to live in a town (30,000) that offers a nice downtown area with a decent mall and Costco within a 30-60 minute drive.
It has to be safe and of course I need to work.
I am an Administrative Assistant, so there must be a job or two I can find. Don't panic, I'm an "old time Jerseyan". We're friendly and not rude.
Hate to move from Jersey, but the way property taxes keep going up, I won't be able to afford living here much longer.
Expenses are rising faster than my income.
Yes, I know salaries won't compare to what I'm making up here, but if I sell my house and be able to buy a less expensive one down south; then I can bank the balance for retirement savings.

[harry chickpea]

Movies aren't reality. Really.
Lightning creates fulgerites by fusing sand. This is about as close as it gets to creating glassware:

Glass from Lightning?

[Keeper]

Interesting.. Thanks Harry..

The other tidbit is the movie was filmed in GA not AL. Of course, I would rather live in AL than GA.

[JerseyGirl3624]

Okay, okay I know real life isn't like tv/ movies. After all I live in the Soprano state.

The important part is any suggestions on towns?

PS Keeper; You mentioned you would prefer to live in AL than GA; can you give a few details? Trying to narrow my search and need all the help I can get.

[harry chickpea]

There are 3 Costco warehouses in the state - Hoover (suburb of Birmingham), Huntsville, and Montgomery.

From the Alabama Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents) page, there are Madison, Homewood, Phenix City, Bessemer, Prichard, Vestavia Hills that all have populations around 30K.

Madison is a suburb of Huntsville. Homewood, Bessemer, and Vestavia Hills are suburbs of Birmingham. A lot of us have a bit of a bias against Montgomery, so looks like you should be looking around the Birmingham or Huntsville area.

[Threestep]

Does it have to be Costco? Sams has shifted direction from real whole sale to selling to the public and you will find more stores all over.

[Keeper]

Afraid I am a bit biased as far as AL is concerned. I was born and raised in AL although I have lived in other places before returning to 'Sweet Home Alabama'.

You can have the best of both worlds living in AL. Beaches to mountains all within a few hours drive depending on where you live. While not all may agree, I have not met 1 person since I moved back who was rude. Men tip their hats to women, teenagers say 'yes ma'mam, strangers smile at you and say 'hey' and last but not least good old southern cooking.

[acrossthepond]

For what it is worth, there is a real Coon Dog Cemetery near Red Bay. There is a sign on Highway 72 pointing in the direction and the cemetery is down a country road but it truly exists.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

There are 3 Costco warehouses in the state - Hoover (suburb of Birmingham), Huntsville, and Montgomery.

From the Alabama Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents) page, there are Madison, Homewood, Phenix City, Bessemer, Prichard, Vestavia Hills that all have populations around 30K.

Madison is a suburb of Huntsville. Homewood, Bessemer, and Vestavia Hills are suburbs of Birmingham. A lot of us have a bit of a bias against Montgomery, so looks like you should be looking around the Birmingham or Huntsville area.

I noticed most of you are biased against Montgomery.why?

[harry chickpea]

Drive past it on I-65 and notice how horrible the Interstate is within city limits. Drive down Southern Blvd. and notice how it has the feel of urban decay. Drive north towards Syl. and notice how bad it looks. Many cities don't put their best foot forward to the passing motorist, but Montgomery makes a point of showing it's atheletes foot and bunions. I'll let others explain some of the other reasons.