[Ynot]

Ooops, I hope I didn't let the cat out of the bag!!

We may have to beat them away with a stick when it's discovered what a great place Alabama is to retire!!!

[marmac]

Originally Posted by Ynot

Ooops, I hope I didn't let the cat out of the bag!!

We may have to beat them away with a stick when it's discovered what a great place Alabama is to retire!!!

Alabama has been promoting itself as a retirement state for years.

The reason you don't have to worry about being over run is because many other states have been promoting themselves also .

[7spider]

I'd like to think the people seeking flashyness and glamour choose places like Florida or Arizona, and the smarter more sensible people pick a beautiful state like Alabama to retire.

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Granny Sue... welcome to the FL club. There are a couple of us who retired up here from FL. You will not believe the property tax and unless you move close to the gulf, HOI is cheap too. There is still a tax on food but they are trying to get that removed.

Oh...I did the math a few years back and we can live cheaper in Alabama by about 45%.
When you also figure in the lower car insurance, taxes and not needing hurricane insurance, It's even better.
We're looking in the Rockford area. It's about the same distance to Alex City and Sylacauga.
We were going to really get serious about buying this year but another granddaughter can along...and well.....there went part of the down payment $$$ lol.

[vjhawkins34]

Originally Posted by Ynot

So why don't they have any 55+ communities? Or maybe there are, but so well hidden they can't be found!

Just curious. I'm not looking for this type of development, but many are; Alabama is a terrific place to retire since the state doesn't tax your government retirement (don't know about other retirements) and the taxes are low!!

Anybody know of any??????

Well, cost of living is little higher here, 8.5 to 9% sales tax and on all food, groceries, restaurant. taxes have went up on homes, there are companies closing. The medical is a little cheap, but they don't have most of the up to date technology as up north. Florida will be better, in Pensacola is really nice.

[vjhawkins34]

Yeah, the property taxes are low, in some areas, but the state make up for taxing everything else, which you can pay 1000 in property taxes, but with food and everthing else at 8-10% it averages out to what you are paying anywhere else. The wages are lower the cost of living are the same as anyware. I go to pensacola to shop, because they don't have high taxes, and no food tax. You tags for your car can be 70-300 dollars every year, the insurance is higher because of the weather.

[Keeper]

They are building a 55+ community in Arab, AL in N. AL An hour from B'ham and 25 minutes from Huntsville. Lake Guntersville is 15 minutes away too.

Arab is small and in the bible belt. We just went wet a few months ago. I like it because very little traffic and it is very safe.

I can speak about the health care at least up here it is much better than in FL. While you are paying taxes on food, it is much cheaper than paying the high property taxes in FL.
I have heard many of the FL folks who live here talk about how happy they are with health care here in AL. You can actually go to the emergency room and not have to wait 8-10 hours to be seen.

BTW.. I lived in FL for 30 years.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by vjhawkins34

Well, cost of living is little higher here, 8.5 to 9% sales tax and on all food, groceries, restaurant. taxes have went up on homes, there are companies closing. The medical is a little cheap, but they don't have most of the up to date technology as up north. Florida will be better, in Pensacola is really nice.

You have never been a patient at UAB:>)

[Mawoods]

I believe that Birmingham and Nashville which are close by have some of the best medical tech around. Pro athletes even go to Birmingham for their procedures.Don't think that Florida has better health care than this area.

[marmac]

Originally Posted by Mawoods

I believe that Birmingham and Nashville which are close by have some of the best medical tech around. Pro athletes even go to Birmingham for their procedures.Don't think that Florida has better health care than this area.

Here in Minnesota, there was a star high school baseball pitcher who had a full college scholarship and developed arm trouble.

Despite Minnesota having some of the best medical facilities ( U of Minn hospital and Mayo Clinic) it was reported he would be going to Alabama and have " Tommy John" surgery.

( baseball fans will know what I meant )