[april73]

Hi, I am moving to Alabama from Michigan soon.. I wanted to know how the Dothan area is.. it is nice, jobs good and available, housing? I want to know everything there is to know about it.. Michigan is going to hell real quick and in a hurry.. Jackson michigan where I am is at 9.8 unemployment.. that is high and just sad.... any and all help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks.. april

[Keeper]

We don't have many posters from Dothan but hopefully someone will check in to help you.

What type of job are you looking for? Remember, pay in AL is less in most cases than up north. COL is less but many folks can't afford to take less pay.

[cpg35223]

Have you picked Dothan for a particular reason? Don't get me wrong. It's a small town with a lot going for it.

Keeper, one thing I would want to point out is that, if trends continue, Alabama's per capita income is set to pass that of Michigan's sometime in the next two years--with a lower tax burden to boot.

[bamachild]

Hi,
I don't know if you are still moving but if you are, then I am trying to sell my home in Enterprise, AL which is about 25-30 mins from Dothan. It is a beautiful home but I have already moved and need to sell or rent it asap. There are not many jobs in the area if you are not connected to the military some way. Ft. Rucker Army base is the largest employer but there is the Southern company which is the electrical service and Farly Nuclear plant outside of Dothan.

South AL is a beautiful place to live and you can pm me if you are interested in the house. But there are not many jobs there either unless you are an aircraft mechanic or some type of specialized skill (electrical) or military. There is a new mall being built in Enterprise and the schools are pretty good too. It is a small town and has a friendly atmosphere but the main profit is from the Ft. Rucker and the army base which is right outside the city.

[vickebm]

Pay rates may not be as high here, but the cost of living is much much lower also. More information about your job skills would help a lot. Their are a lot of specialized jobs that you can make descent money at. Mostly ( like bamachild said) on base working for Army support civilian companies, which require degrees in Avionics or Air frame and Power Plant. Nursing is a big thing in this area also. If your an RN then you've got a job pretty much.

[nati]

Im planning to move to Opelika in the Spring. I went to visit a friend there and I fell in love with the place. I live in Palmdale California sometimes its hot and it could get very cold too. rent is going up and everything is getting expensive here in CA. I have 2 children and work for the school district as a teachers assistant. Any information regarding Housing, jobs,weather and as a mother Schools are very important .Any information would be wonderfull

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by nati

Im planning to move to Opelika in the Spring. I went to visit a friend there and I fell in love with the place. I live in Palmdale California sometimes its hot and it could get very cold too. rent is going up and everything is getting expensive here in CA. I have 2 children and work for the school district as a teachers assistant. Any information regarding Housing, jobs,weather and as a mother Schools are very important .Any information would be wonderfull

I think you should check out the city of Auburn, which abuts Opelika. Auburn has excellent schools and, given that it's where Auburn University is, boasts a pretty decent lifestyle that you'd expect to find in a cool college town.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by nati

Im planning to move to Opelika in the Spring. I went to visit a friend there and I fell in love with the place. I live in Palmdale California sometimes its hot and it could get very cold too. rent is going up and everything is getting expensive here in CA. I have 2 children and work for the school district as a teachers assistant. Any information regarding Housing, jobs,weather and as a mother Schools are very important .Any information would be wonderfull

Why Opelika?
Anything more tangible than "falling in love" to drive your move there? More jobs? Cheaper housing? Family? Culture?
What about dad? Where will he work? Is he OK with the move to Alabama?

[Southlander]

Teachers' assistant is usually a very low-paying job in Alabama, and is by no means a permanent job. Many times there are more people to fill the jobs than jobs. I truly doubt that the pay would be enough to support a family. Do your research!

[bamachild]

I would not move to Bama unless I was in healthcare or the military. These are the only professions in which anyone might could find suitable employment and make enough to live on. Teaching would also be steady, but low pay. Other than that, it is very much about who you know especially around the Dothan/Enterprise area. These are both small towns and, the majority of employees are related or friends already. It is hard for an outsider, unless you have specialized in demand skills, to get into these companies in south AL.