So you're believing of transferring to Alabama, however you're unsure you've completely mulled-over all the super-important information before reaching your decision. Well, possibly southern-bound buddy, you have actually concerned the best place - we've put together a convenient, delicious guide that will lay out some of the most crucial points for someone in your position to examine.
We don't blame you for desiring to relocate to the Heart of Dixie (as it's called) considering that the state is house to rocket researchers - Huntsville houses both the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Area Flight Center at the Redstone Arsenal. The U.S. Army's lead rocket engineer, Wernher von Braun, led NASA's rocketry program throughout the '60s.
What else does the Yellowhammer State need to offer, besides substantial advances in the space program and unbelievably clever people? Plenty - from stunning landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so quickly your camera begins steaming, to mouth-watering soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Keep reading to find why you might simply make Alabama your next relocation.
Job Market
According to U.S. Census data, about 4.875 million people presently live in the Cotton State. Get this - 55% of the people overall in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Research Study.
Well, for starters, the state has several fast-growing job fields, consisting of computer system science, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, airplane assembly and Emergency Medical Technician, to call a few, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid careers consist of pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law orthodontist, dental expert and judge, mentions bizjournals.com.
The existing joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so odds are respectable for discovering work upon your relocation. This number has also been on a good, consistent decrease considering that 2010, when it was a much-higher 11.9%. The federal minimum wage is the exact same as the nationwide average, nevertheless, at $7.25/ hour, states minimum-wage. org.
Do not forget that Alabama is house to NASA, the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight. This might really well be the brand-new home of your dreams if you've got a love for all-things aeronautical.
Real estate
You're most likely going to desire a location to live after you move (we're simply guessing), so what's the probability of discovering a new place you'll love (and be able to afford) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com states that the median value of homes currently on the market is $128,900, with an average listing price of $190,000. The average home rent is $995/month, with one-bedroom houses averaging $824/month in Birmingham.
Homes in Alabama are mainly fairly new, too - zillow.com shows that many houses currently offered were developed in the decade 2000-2010. So not only are chances helpful for you to find a cost effective place to live, but you'll also be looking at newish properties, too.
That being stated, there's very little in the way of new construction turning up nowadays, according to zillow.com. A little is taking place in main Alabama, around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a small bit in the northern end of the state, in and around Huntsville.
If less expensive housing, specifically around the state's hot-spots, interest you, you may just wish to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Natives
When transferring to a new place, you may be curious about the individuals there. Will they become your friends, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and stare out of a slit in your blinds in total fear?
According to residents, citizens can be a real combined bag. The consensus is that Alabamians love to chatter, are passive-aggressive, and may just fool you with their questionable insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not meant warmly, but rather sarcastically - and if you hear it, odds are good that as soon as you have actually left, you'll be talked about.
Don't let that deter you. Residents stress that the main ambiance of their state is one of true southern hospitality - they utilize "sir" and "ma'am" out of regard, and will give you a warm welcome and great deals of food. They may refer to you as a Yankee if you're from the North, however this they really do out of (mocking) love.
You'll discover yourself adjusting your vocabulary and pronunciations after a move to Alabama. Do not be the loser who sticks out like an aching thumb just because you're partial to your consonants.
Yellowhammer State Trivia
Montgomery, Alabama was the where a popular event took place on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks fearlessly refused to quit her seat on the bus to a white guy. Today, to honor this local lady's act of bravery, the Rosa Parks Library and Museum stands in the town of Montgomery, attracting great deals of residents and travelers alike.
The individuals of the Cotton State are crazy about BBQ - and we do indicate CRAZY. They'll fight to the death (possibly not actually) over which restaurant or regional cookout serves up the finest.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sugary Food Home Alabama" if it begins the radio, and they'll crank it up to 11. Even Alabamians who covertly hate the tune will begin to boogie when they hear that well-known opening riff. The tune has made such an impression on the culture that it's even printed on license plates.
Alabamians pride themselves on their abundant food and cultural pride. They have rare, apparently lobster-tasting shrimp called "Royal Reds" from the Gulf of Mexico, fried green tomatoes, super-sweet tea (heavy on the sweet, light on the tea) and MoonPies - and they smother everything in TABASCOĂ’ sauce.
It appears fitting, with a diet that heavy and abundant, that locals like to observe a slower speed of life. These self-proclaimed "salt of the earth" types will make you forget your health-enthusiast ways and have you reaching for seconds. Bring additional napkins.
Must-See Alabama Fun + Activities
We understand you're already halfway out the door, travel luggage in hand, ready to make your relocate to the Heart of Dixie, however cool your jets for a moment. Prior to you go racing off like you're a driver at Talladega Superspeedway, check out this list we have actually compiled of some of the state's piece de resistances.
Here simply a few of the state's can't- miss activities and sights:
U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum consists of access to the historical Shuttle Park and Rocket Park and showcases special artifacts from the country's space expedition. It's considered to be the world's biggest space museum, and describes the history of the U.S. area program. It's also house to the yearly, highly expected Area Camp program featuring the Aviation Difficulty, in which trainees go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's tallest cast iron statue stands a remarkable 56 feet high. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel market - and he's sort of a big deal. His 100th birthday was a substantial celebration that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Found in Woodville, this park offers cave trips, campsites, backpacking and hiking. It has the largest entryway of any commercial cave in the world, and features a sparkly Gems Mine with a gem mining experience readily available to all ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "biggest and baddest" track, it's located in Lincoln and includes an extremely anticipated annual NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race opts for 188 laps, covering simply over 500 miles. Now that's a great deal of high-speed left turns.
Alligator Alley: Located in Summerdale, this overload sanctuary has a raised boardwalk including a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and different kinds of wildlife. If you're into gazing one of humanity's greatest natural predators almost right in the face, this is the place for you.
Benefits and drawbacks of Residing In the Heart of Dixie
Before you ideal your BARBEQUE dish and run to see the alligators and the world's tallest Vulcan, we thought it might be worth taking into account a short-and-sweet list of a couple of pros and cons of moving to Alabama.
Low cost of living: It's clear that property in the Cotton State is quite low-cost, and taxes are quite low. We suspect that's just one of the big reasons that 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 picked this as their brand-new home.
Nature + all four seasons: The terrain of Alabama is widely-varied, including forests, mountains and beaches. Due to the fact that of this, there are plenty of activities for all different breeds of outdoorsy types. Residents likewise like to mention that they experience all four seasons and see weather condition from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, damp summers and springtime torrential downpours.
Music: Because of its location, the Yellowhammer State draws lots of big music acts each year. The Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores is the state's largest annual music event. Huge names in all categories - varying from jazz to rock 'n' roll to nation - emerge here.
Food: As we have actually already mentioned, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a whopping 28 different food celebrations every year.
Distance to significant cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are simply day-trips away from the Heart of Dixie. This prime place lends itself to countless opportunities to see all type of festivals, concerts, museums, state parks, shopping attractions and more. Did you truly think you 'd be bored here?
Humidity: Make that winter humidity. While the humidity in the summer is undeniably bad, it's the winter that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the additional wetness triggers cold temperatures to feel absolutely frigid. Locals state that it's not uncommon for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees. If read more you're not into feeling the extremes in every season, it may not be long before you're miserable here.
Drug use: The more rural locations of the state have genuine issues with poverty, homelessness and block after block of abandoned homes. With this naturally comes bothersome drug usage, and in Alabama's case, methamphetamine labs are a real battle to split down on (no pun meant).
Severe storms: While experiencing all four seasons can be argued as a good idea, it likewise means that there's opportunity for all sort of rainy weather - and this state sees a few of the most severe. For beginners, it is among the most active tornado states. The spring and fall seasons bring heavy thunderstorms, and mid-year brings hurricanes. At any time of year, residents undergo durations of seemingly random rainstorms, that can stop as rapidly as they start. Locals joke, "If you do not like the weather condition here, wait five minutes."
Strange Laws
We 'd be doing you a significant injustice if we left without providing you a list of some of the strangest, lamest and downright dumbest laws still out there in the state you're considering making your next homeland. We have actually put together a few that'll have you raising an eyebrow in no time.
Here are simply a couple of from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railroad track is punishable by death. They wish to keep their railways devoid of livestock, and they're truly serious about it.
It's prohibited to impersonate a priest. Genuine. Stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comical efforts towards new product - you'll thank us later.
It's illegal to use a fake moustache in church due to the fact that it might cause laughter. (See? We told you they were super-serious about their church.) Faith is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's illegal to use a mask in public. Man, so what are we expected to do on Halloween?
It's unlawful to play dominoes on Sunday. It interrupts the day of rest. Duh. You understand how heated those dominoes matches can get!
Prepared for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well friends, there you have it - a thoroughly designed guide to a few of the primary consideration points get more info for permanent moving. Of course, we can't lie and state that we have the ability to give you definitely all the important information that could affect your decision (we 'd be here for days), but it's our hope that we have actually provided you an excellent launching pad to fire up your choice rocket from.
Now it's up to you to choose (after potentially doing some additional research study) if you can visualize yourself in the Yellowhammer State, amongst the outstanding and not-at-all intimidating rocket researchers, the speedy racecar chauffeurs, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a real enjoyment assembling this guide for you, and we hope you've had your fill of Alabama goodies.
All the best - and don't click here forget to memorize "Sugary food Home Alabama."