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Old 10-15-2017, 09:36 AM
 
8 posts, read 11,794 times
Reputation: 11

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Hello forum members.

I need suggestions for towns or areas in Alabama to consider. We will be relocating from FL.

Our top concerns, loosely ranked from most to least important:

-crime rate/safety issues

-hurricane risk. I spent the majority of my life in the rural inland South and Midwest and am okay with the possibility of tornadoes. Hurricanes and all the associated costs (higher insurance rates, shutters/impact windows, etc) are something we do not want to deal with anymore.

-availability of good quality single family properties with small to medium sized acreage (~2-20 ideally) under $350K. Attractive traditional style homes are a plus.

-low property taxes (seems like this will be the easiest one in AL ) also we do not want to be in an HOA

-cost of living (especially regarding taxes, insurance (home and auto), gas and food)

-traditional rural/small town/country culture and lifestyle. We are not looking for an extremely remote “off the grid” area but do prefer rural, semi-rural or small town environments.

-scenic surroundings, good hunting and fishing and good soil for gardening will all be another plus.

NOT priorities for us in the foreseeable future:

-schools
-employment (I work remotely and my spouse will be close to retirement by the time we relocate)
-shopping/dining/nightlife etc. amenities

If it matters (and I do not see any reason why it would), we are a mixed race couple and practice a minority faith. Our political views are solidly conservative. My main concern regarding the politics of any area will be the effect on our tax bill. We were both raised in very rural environments and have all the necessary skills/experience to live in a country setting.

Thanks for any recommendations and advice.
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Old 10-15-2017, 12:13 PM
 
23,587 posts, read 70,358,767 times
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In general, also consider distance to medical facilities, remembering that once you get away from "medical row" in a metropolitan area, the distances can get impossible as you age. Emergencies aside, having to drive two hours weekly for some therapy or treatment gets daunting. Such trips can become facts of life as you age. Health care is also consolidating and becoming far less available in rural areas than even ten years ago.

Take a map and draw circles with a radius of about 40 miles, centering on the main hospitals and you will eliminate a lot of the state. South and east of Huntsville could be an area to investigate, but remember that small towns have small town politics and cliques.
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Old 10-15-2017, 03:25 PM
 
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA
1,110 posts, read 895,403 times
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I would also start with this web site:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html

Look for places near but not in the popular cities, (Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville come to mind)....
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Old 10-15-2017, 03:38 PM
 
23,587 posts, read 70,358,767 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmm0484 View Post
I would also start with this web site:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html

Look for places near but not in the popular cities, (Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville come to mind)....
Mobile gets hurricanes, which the OP doesn't want. You have to get about 100 miles inland before you can fully relax.
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Old 10-15-2017, 03:51 PM
 
8 posts, read 11,794 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea View Post
Mobile gets hurricanes, which the OP doesn't want. You have to get about 100 miles inland before you can fully relax.
Exactly, thank you both for the replies. I do LOVE the suburban and semi-rural parts of Mobile and Baldwin Counties but do not want to live in a hurricane-prone area...will need to settle for visiting the gulf coast

Forgot to add to my OP, temperature/seasonal climate/weather (other than the hurricane issue) is also not a priority.

Last edited by southernlady29; 10-15-2017 at 04:02 PM..
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Old 10-15-2017, 05:04 PM
 
10,501 posts, read 7,026,960 times
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Near Eufala

Northeast of Birmingham.
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Old 10-15-2017, 06:14 PM
 
23,587 posts, read 70,358,767 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MinivanDriver View Post
Near Eufala

Northeast of Birmingham.
Eufala is beautiful. One of the posters to this forum moved there a while back, but I haven't heard from her in a while or I would give an update.

Northeast of B'ham is a mixed bag. Honestly though, I would avoid it.
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Old 10-15-2017, 09:44 PM
 
9,694 posts, read 7,385,183 times
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between montgomery and atlanta, like Troy

huntsville be nice too
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Old 10-24-2017, 07:52 PM
 
Location: North Alabama
1,561 posts, read 2,792,964 times
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I would think that you could find all that you are looking for within a 40-mile radius of Huntsville, including state Wildlife Management Areas for hunting. Boating, water sports, and fishing are a given considering the Tennessee River impoundments. Excellent health care and a vast choice of housing/acreage options. Pretty good retail as well. Many small towns and rural communities also. Come on up for a look see.
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Old 10-26-2017, 01:09 PM
 
8 posts, read 11,794 times
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Thanks y'all for the replies!

I think I'll be focusing on the outskirts of Huntsville. Seeing some beautiful properties near the Tennessee River.

The Huntsville area also seems to have a good-sized Indian population (husband is of Indian descent) and 300 miles inland so no hurricanes.
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