Ozark, AL? (Montgomery, Dothan, Enterprise: relocating, property taxes, housing)

[BellaDia]

I'd like to learn the good and bad about Ozark, Alabama possibly purchasing a home! Thank you!

[Penfencer]

I've lived in Ozark all my life. It's a pretty good town. Quiet, but Highway 231 runs right through the middle of it, so it's on the way to places like Montgomery and Panama City Beach, FL. You can reach the beach in about 2 hours. Homes are a lot cheaper than at my current residence (Montevallo, AL).

The town's kinda declined a bit lately. The Food World, K-Mart, and Winn Dixie have all closed down, leaving Wal-Mart as the major contender. There's a couple of smaller grocery stores though--Sav-U Foods and Grocery Outlet--that aren't too bad. Lots of churchs, if you're into that, and lots of good thrift stores that you can get great deals at. Some people aren't happy with the city government; they just built a huge new city hall that's really much larger than it needs to be and cost a lot of money.

The town has it's own newspaper, the Southern Star. Don't bother reading it. You're better off getting The Dothan Eagle if you want a serious local paper. The town has a handful of schools, including separate elementary, middle, and highschools. There's a few private schools in the area as well, including Dale County Christian School and Vivian B. Adams School (for the mentally and physically handicapped).

As far as colleges go, Enterprise-Ozark Community College (EOCC) has branches in Ozark, Ft. Rucker, and Enterprise (about 18-23 miles from Ozark). Dothan has Wallace Community College and Troy University Dothan. I personally attended the Enterprise branch of EOCC and found it worth the time and money.

The town isn't far from Fort Rucker, the largest training base in the nation for the Apache helicopter, so you'll have to get used to hearing helicopters flying in the sky. Sometimes they can come flying a bit low and it'll make the house rattle, but it's pretty uncommon and you grow to like the sound after a while. I find myself missing the sound of the Apaches whenever I'm away.

Dothan, AL is only about 30 minutes away, so you've got good access to places like Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Petsmart, Office Depot, and a slew of other places. Dothan's growing a lot lately, with a new shopping mall and Target in the early stages of being built. The main shopping mall is Wiregrass Commons, with the usual stores--J.C. Penny, Dillards, Lane Bryant, Electronics Boutique, Waldenbooks, K.B. Toys, and more. The city's also got a Books'a'Million and a Toys'R'Us and more restaurants than you'll ever need.

So, yeah, that's Ozark and the surrounding area in a nutshell. Hope that helps with your decisions. There's not much in the way of entertainment, so you end up having to drive to Dothan or Enterprise if you want to see a good movie. The movie theater in Ozark doesn't offer much of a selection, and the theater itself is old and a bit run-down.

Hope my insights help.

-Adam

[Martha C. Conner]

I live in Dothan, Alabama and of courses I recommend you moving here. You owe it to your self to at least check it out. Our property taxes are great along with the cost of insurance. Martha C. Conner [moderator CUT]

[LisaDP]

I agree I also live in Dothan AL and we are relocating to Jacksonville. [cut]

[shopper30]

Hi,
I have just moved to Ozark myself. I got transferred with my job and went today to find housing and look at the schools. The housing is very affordable along with setting everything up to get started (lights, water, etc.). Everyone at the school system was very helpful along with the realtor that I used. I am just renting now until I decide where I want to end up but they also of course do sales. If you would like any more information I will be glad to help you out. I know what it is like to move to a different place and know nobody.

[Reason]

Thank you for your information. We chose to purchase land in Enterprise instead

[jacky]

I have lived in ozark for 44 years the only problem I have seen is the school system. but i have a disabled son and it took me years to get him in to the specialschool here. the jobs here are not very good and do not pay well either. unless you work in aircraft. i wish you luck. if you need help will be glad to help you. schools, churches, etcc.

GOD BLESS, JACKY