[FoleyPhoto]

Hmmm, I like it here. A lot! Been here about 20 years. What's most appealing? I live near the coast, Foley to be exact which is about 10 - 15 minutes north of the beaches. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores that is. The beaches are the most beautiful pure white sandy beaches in the US. I work as a real estate agent so I don't play on the beach as often as I probably should, but the area is great and the lifesytlye is nice and available for the taking. More golf courses per square mile than one could ask for, so if it's golfing you like there are courses for every style and level of play. The folks here are kind and friendly for the most part. You always have the occasional rude people, but who doesn't. This is a very resort oriented area, so there is a busy feel to the area, especially on the weekends, but you can live away from everything and still be within 5 or 10 minutes to everything. We have local farmer's markets for fresh produce and outlet malls all within 5- 10 minutes. Another nice mall also just 25 minutes away. Within an hour to Mobile, Alabama or 30 minutes to Pensacola, Florida we are also close to some larger cities. Overall the area that I live in affords that "best of both worlds" lifestyle that is not always easy to find. It is an area that people come to to enjoy the beaches and wind up staying or coming back years down the road to retire. So it's an area that is definitely experiencing growth, and has been for years, it's not as quiet as it used to be, but that is the way things go, still I love it here!

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Southlander

So...when are you leaving?

I was not trying to be rude. Forgive me, please. I just wondered about your plans.

[esmith89]

Baldwin County is full. Do not move here.

[Suliniber]

Originally Posted by markablue

All political discussions will be moved to General US Politics subforum. I suggest you start a thread there.

I think someone should also start a thread on Religious belief. I have noticed people shy away from it. I said heaven where everybody is fighting to go is crowded with all the good people and is not a nice place to live and nobody said anything. Where is some open debate about religious belief? Feels like very few actually honestly believe in the "God Almighty" phenomenon.

[Keeper]

There is a religious forum on City-data. You can discuss religion or christianity there. It is an active forum so be prepared.
Religion and Philosophy - City-Data Forum: Relocation, Moving, Local City Discussions

[KMK]

I have never laughed so hard after reading some of these replies. Most nailed it in my opinion. While I did enjoy some of the more lighthearted replies about porch swings, hot dogs, football etc those are not particularly unique to Alabama. Those are just traditionally southern and can be enjoyed in almost any part of the south. I recall reading one about how stable the economy is in North Ala and I have to wonder what exactly what planet they are living on? Perhaps Huntsville might be considered economically stable or experiencing positive growth but move westward slightly and its economic devastation. Our youth are leaving in groves in the far corner of NW Alabama. We have been on a steady decline for the past 15 years. Crime is on a steady rise. I moved here 20 years ago and the area experienced a high for approx 4 or 5 years and its been downhill since that time. You used to be able to purchase alot of house for alot less money but not so much recently. Housing has even taken a hit as prices have risen drastically over the past few years. Most families I am around are terribly disenchanted with the area and find the mental and emotional well-being to be unhealthy and hope to leave within the next year or two. Those with extended families want to leave but feel stuck, or inclined to stay close to family. While I admit there are a few nice things about Ala in general, they can be found in most parts of the south where living might be healthier and more pleasant. I believe there are pockets of economic surge in Huntsville and Birmingham to some degree, Alabama as a whole is is sorry shape. And our schools, ugh!! What a mess!! I absolutely love the south, actually quite fond of the north too!! But hope to be heading outta Ala soon. Lifes too short to be wasting time hoping things get better here. Esp when there are some awesome and beautiful southern towns waiting to be explored!!!

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by marysally

I can only speak for Huntsville and I absolutely love it. There are a lot of mosquitoes in the summer, but I have seen very few roaches -- maybe it is far enough north in Al to keep them in control. The cost of living is much less than where I came from (Houston, TX). People are much friendlier, not nearly as much traffic, four seasons -- what more could you ask for.

Mary,

Were you a home owner in Houston and had to pay that absurd property tax there? You are correct. The cost of living in Huntsville is less, but not by a whole lot without taking into account property taxes. Here is a cost of living comparison between Houston and Huntsville on a $30K salary. According to this comparison, a person earning $30K a year in Huntsville would come out ahead by $2,369 a year. Is this number in line with actual experience there? I will work on moving to Huntsville.

http://swz.salary.com/costoflivingwi...de=76&x=55&y=7

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by KMK

I have never laughed so hard after reading some of these replies. Most nailed it in my opinion. While I did enjoy some of the more lighthearted replies about porch swings, hot dogs, football etc those are not particularly unique to Alabama. Those are just traditionally southern and can be enjoyed in almost any part of the south. I recall reading one about how stable the economy is in North Ala and I have to wonder what exactly what planet they are living on? Perhaps Huntsville might be considered economically stable or experiencing positive growth but move westward slightly and its economic devastation. Our youth are leaving in groves in the far corner of NW Alabama. We have been on a steady decline for the past 15 years. Crime is on a steady rise. I moved here 20 years ago and the area experienced a high for approx 4 or 5 years and its been downhill since that time. You used to be able to purchase alot of house for alot less money but not so much recently. Housing has even taken a hit as prices have risen drastically over the past few years. Most families I am around are terribly disenchanted with the area and find the mental and emotional well-being to be unhealthy and hope to leave within the next year or two. Those with extended families want to leave but feel stuck, or inclined to stay close to family. While I admit there are a few nice things about Ala in general, they can be found in most parts of the south where living might be healthier and more pleasant. I believe there are pockets of economic surge in Huntsville and Birmingham to some degree, Alabama as a whole is is sorry shape. And our schools, ugh!! What a mess!! I absolutely love the south, actually quite fond of the north too!! But hope to be heading outta Ala soon. Lifes too short to be wasting time hoping things get better here. Esp when there are some awesome and beautiful southern towns waiting to be explored!!!

I agree that the quality of life (in any state) is usually very very localized....

Birmingham has an excellent economy....but travel only 85 miles Southwest and you find some of the worst poverty in the US.

I lived in San Antonio Texas for three years....same thing. Great local economy but if you drove 120 miles southwest toward the Mexican border....not the same story by a long shot.

How about California? Who would compare LA's economy to Bakersfield or Lodi?

In any state with a population of over 2 million it is impossible to stereotype anything about it...economy, education, culture etc.

This is why this forum is so important. It helps people who are looking to relocate to a Particular Local Area - understand it more fully....

And yes I agree with you about NW Alabama....such a nice place that has had such a bad economy for so long. It has spiraled downhill....but the State of Alabama has tried its best. Putting in fantastic golf courses and a wonderful resort hotel to hopefully pull it up....and now the new rail plant that the Governor and industry recruiters worked hard to get....

If there is anything that Alabama can be proud of - as an entire state - it is the undeniable success at recruiting new jobs. The Governor gives out his personal cell phone number to large firms who want to relocate to Alabama and he personally clears the roadblocks....

On the other hand, people who live in ANY locality need to step up and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their own local schools, taxation, police and fire protection....don't depend on state or federal government to handle the job that must ultimately rest with residents in a particular community....

In the suburbs of Birmingham, we have local government after local government that taxes itself at higher than normal rates and expects better schools, better government and better public services....and gets them....holding local government accountable to higher standards.

[harry chickpea]

One aspect of the state is that the character and legislation of the individual counties varies greatly. It sometimes seems that Alabama is a confederation of counties rather than a top-down governed unit.

Anyone moving to the area would be well-advised to ask about local county and city governments and politics.

BTW, just a minor comment on an idiom that was used. Kids don't leave in groves, the idiom is "leave in droves," (like cattle). Groves generally stay where they are planted.

[steveb8140]

This thread seem to have not been active for awhile, but I'll put my 2 cents worth in.

As a "Dam'Yankee" born and raised, and having since lived in Hawaii, Texas, and 28 years in California, my family and I moved here almost 2 years ago. Truthfully, we have never met such gracious, welcoming people in all our years. The people are wonderful, the cost of living is more than affordable, and the southern way of life is something we had no trouble adapting to. Yes, Alabama has its shortcomings but what locale doesn't. There is a trade-off involved and it all depends on what you are looking for in life. A good number of the posters on this thread really needto think seriously about moving somewhere else if they are so miserable. We have found that if ou don't try to make "the locals" adapt to your lifestyle but rather adapt to theirs, you will be much happier. If you can't (or won't) do that, then by all means leave Alabama to those of us who like it the way it is and are working hard to improve conditions for all. It's much easier to cut and run rather than try to make a difference but some of us are trying. Alabama is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I'm proud to say I am from Alabama (even though I am a newcomer). God Bless Alabama.