[Alatex]

I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned Alabama's abundance of water. Although I'm in Tuscaloosa, I haven't been to a football game in over 20 years. However, I enjoy the city's rivers and lakes and parks all the time.

[cpg35223]

Man, a lot of kneejerk opinions on this board. For most of you who say, "Nothing," let me see if I can guess what your experience has been:

1) You came to Alabama expecting it to be a clone of New York, Illinois, or wherever else.
2) As a result, when you came to Alabama and the culture wasn't precisely what you found back in your home state, you refused to step one millimeter out of your comfort zone.
3) You really never lifted a finger to make friends.
4) You probably spent your nights and weekends watching television without venturing out of your house.
5) You are the social equivalent of a Thalidomide child.

Seriously. We are well-paid professionals lived in Cleveland, Chicago, Baltimore, and San Diego, before setting down roots in Alabama (Birmingham, to be more precise). We enjoy music, the arts, and eating out--And by that, I don't mean Chili's or Outback Steakhouse (For example, two restaurants we frequent were recently Beard finalists. And we can pretty much get a table without planning five months ahead). In Birmingham, we found a way-cool town where you can enjoy a great number of arts offerings (For example, we went to see Yo Yo Ma in April on a lark. Where the heck could you even hope to get tickets for that in Chicago without being a huge symphony donor?), enjoy a great standard of living in a convivial atmosphere. There is always something to do here, there is abundant natural beauty, hiking, boating, and beaches.

As for the people here, they are typically warm and embracing folks. In our 16 years here, we've made countless friends, and our social life has always got something going on. Why? Because we were open to living here and made the effort to make friends.

Let me put it this way, as somebody who has moved in a lot of different places: When it comes to living in a city or a state, you and you alone are the key determinant of happiness. If you go into a place and insist on being socially withdrawn, then nobody will befriend you. If you actually have the basic wherewithal to get out, and get out of your insular little bubble, then you'll have all the friends you ever need. And it's not the fault of the state if you can't make friends--it's yours and yours alone.

Oh, and for those people who think the economy is bad, you have no clue how bad it is in places like Ohio, Michigan, California, Florida, or any number of other supposedly better destinations. Alabama's economy, especially when you look at the way it's trending, is in a pretty good place compared to the rest of the country.

[tomdonaldson]

Thats a good question. I have lived here for five years. My wife and I are retired seniors. If we were still in the employed years we sure would not be here. Being retired is ok here as we live in a rural area of up scale homes on smaller acreages. We have a small hobby farm. We are not looking for jobs. We like our place because we can close the drive way gate and the world leaves us alone. The medical community here sucks. We always go to UAB for our medical needs. They are superior in this area.
Tom.

[Southlander]

Where is "here?"

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Where is "here?"

Montgomery, AL.

(I checked his profile.)

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Charles

Montgomery, AL.

(I checked his profile.)

Oh. Well, I wouldn't want to live there either. The only way I'd live in Montgomery would be with a gun to my head. Even then...

[kndwallace]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Oh. Well, I wouldn't want to live there either. The only way I'd live in Montgomery would be with a gun to my head. Even then...

If you lived in Montgomery , AL chances are sooner or later.. you migh end up with a gun to your head....

[bonzai]

I am so late for this thread, but living in AL for me has been a living nightmare...The city is beautiful, and the neighborhoods; like Homewood and Mt. Brook are georgeous...BUT, the people stink here, very racist, do not welcome diversity at all. My husbands has a great job, he loves it, but we would love to relocate hopefully soon. I have never felt so out of place in my whole life, mind you I am very well traveled, educated, have live in NY, Miami, and South America. I have children, and in 8 years they have not made friends, incredible, if one is not from here, one is doomed.

At least, that has been our experience here...(live here since 1998-present)

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by bonzai

I am so late for this thread, but living in AL for me has been a living nightmare...The city is beautiful, and the neighborhoods; like Homewood and Mt. Brook are georgeous...BUT, the people stink here, very racist, do not welcome diversity at all. My husbands has a great job, he loves it, but we would love to relocate hopefully soon. I have never felt so out of place in my whole life, mind you I am very well traveled, educated, have live in NY, Miami, and South America. I have children, and in 8 years they have not made friends, incredible, if one is not from here, one is doomed.

At least, that has been our experience here...(live here since 1998-present)

We're from someplace else and have made lots and lots of friends and enjoy an active and fulfilling social life. So I can say without question that this is total, self-pitying baloney. Don't blame the town because of your basic inability to make friends.

[Nextphase123]

Originally Posted by vanbgoen

C'mon people! There's crummy things about all places. I'm from Michigan and now live in Alabama. I left mosquitos the size of small birds, humidity that rivals a rain forest, urban blight, unemployment, black flies that make piranhas look tame, and environmental concerns too numerous to mention just to name a few things. It also has beautiful lakes, fishing, hunting, and camping. I've lived in Alabama and Michigan.....I pick Alabama.

I'm moving from NJ where I was born and raised. Husband's work is taking us to the Ft. Rucker area and I'm wondering what life is like there? Reading the other comments is somewhat terrifying but yours is so positive. Hope my experience is the same!