You're thinking of moving to Alabama, but you're not sure you have actually thoroughly mulled-over all the super-important information before getting here at your decision. Well, potentially southern-bound good friend, you've pertained to the ideal place - we've put together a handy, 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 transfer to the Heart of Dixie (as it's called) considering that the state is home to rocket researchers - Huntsville houses both the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight Center at the Redstone Toolbox. 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 have to provide, besides substantial advances in the space program and unbelievably smart people? Plenty - from lovely landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so fast your cam begins steaming, to succulent soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting occasions. Keep reading to discover why you might just make Alabama your next relocation.
Job Market
According to U.S. Census data, about 4.875 million individuals presently reside in the Cotton State. Get this - 55% of the people in general 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 couple of, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid careers include pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law orthodontist, dentist and judge, specifies bizjournals.com.
The present 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 actually also been on a nice, stable decline 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, mentions minimum-wage. org.
Do not forget that Alabama is house to NASA, the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Area Flight. This could very well be the new home of your dreams if you've got a love for all-things aeronautical.
Housing
You're probably going to want a place to live after you move (we're just guessing), so what's the likelihood of finding a new place you'll enjoy (and have the ability to pay for) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com mentions that the average 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 mostly fairly new, too - zillow.com shows that most houses currently available were integrated in the years 2000-2010. Not only are odds good for you to find an affordable location to live, but you'll also be looking at newish properties, too.
That being said, there's very little in the method of brand-new building popping up nowadays, according to zillow.com. A little is occurring in central Alabama, in and around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a little bit in the northern end of the state, around Huntsville.
If less expensive housing, especially around the state's hot-spots, interest you, you might just want to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Natives
When transferring to a new place, you may be curious about individuals there. Will they become your buddies, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and stare out of a slit in your blinds in overall fear?
According to residents, locals can be a real variety. The consensus is that Alabamians enjoy to chatter, are passive-aggressive, and may just deceive you with their deceptive insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not implied warmly, but rather sardonically - and if you hear it, odds are good that once you have actually left, you'll be discussed.
Don't let that deter you, however. Residents stress that the main ambiance of their state is one of real southern hospitality - they utilize "sir" and "ma'am" out of respect, and will offer you a warm welcome and great deals of food. They might describe you as a Yankee if you're from the North, but this they in fact do out of (buffooning) love.
You'll discover yourself adjusting your vocabulary and pronunciations after a relocation 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 bravely declined to provide up her seat on the bus to a white man. Today, to honor this regional female's act of bravery, the Rosa Parks Library and Museum stands in the town of Montgomery, drawing in great deals of tourists and residents alike.
Individuals of the Cotton State are insane about BBQ - and we do mean CRAZY. They'll battle to the death (maybe not actually) over which restaurant or regional cookout provides the very best. These are not conversations to be participated in gently. Be prepared to explain, and safeguard, your stance.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sweet House Alabama" if it comes on the radio, and they'll crank it approximately 11. Even Alabamians who secretly 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 uncommon, supposedly 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 whatever in TABASCOĂ’ sauce.
It seems fitting, with a diet that heavy and rich, that residents like to observe a slower pace of life. These self-proclaimed "salt of the earth" types will make you forget your health-enthusiast methods 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 transfer to the Heart of Dixie, however cool your jets for a moment. Before you go racing off like you're a chauffeur at Talladega Superspeedway, take a look at this list we have actually assembled of some of the state's primary attractions.
Here simply a few of the state's can't- miss out on sights and activities:
U.S. Area & Rocket Center: Located in Huntsville, this museum consists of access to the historic Shuttle bus Park and Rocket Park and showcases special artifacts from the country's space expedition. It's thought about to be the world's largest area museum, and outlines the history of the U.S. space program. It's likewise house to the annual, highly prepared for Space Camp program featuring the Air travel Challenge, in which students go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's highest cast iron statue stands an outstanding 56 feet high. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and create, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel market - and he's kind of a big offer. His 100th birthday was a substantial celebration that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 individuals.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Found in Woodville, this park offers cave trips, campsites, backpacking and hiking. It has the largest entryway of any commercial collapse the world, and features a sparkly Gemstone Mine with a gem mining experience offered to any here ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "greatest and baddest" track, it lies in Lincoln and features a hugely anticipated yearly NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race goes for 188 laps, covering just over 500 miles. Now that's a lot of high-speed left turns.
Alligator Alley: Found in Summerdale, this overload sanctuary has a raised boardwalk including a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and various kinds of wildlife. If you're into staring one of humanity's most significant natural predators almost right in the face, this is the location for you.
Pros and Cons of Living in the Heart of Dixie
Before you ideal your BARBEQUE recipe and run to see the alligators and the world's highest Vulcan, we believed it may be worth considering a short-and-sweet list of a few advantages and disadvantages of transferring to Alabama.
Low expense of living: It's clear that property in the Cotton State is pretty cheap, and taxes are pretty low. We presume that's simply among the huge factors why 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 chose this as their new home.
Nature + all four seasons: The terrain of Alabama is widely-varied, including beaches, mountains and forests. Because of this, there are lots of activities for all various types of outdoorsy types. Residents likewise like to mention that they experience all 4 seasons and see weather condition from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, damp summer seasons and spring torrential rainstorms.
Music: Due to the fact that of its area, the Yellowhammer State draws great deals of huge music acts each year. The Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores is the state's biggest yearly music occasion. Big names in all genres - ranging from jazz to rock 'n' roll to country - emerge here.
Food: As we have actually currently pointed out, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a tremendous 28 various food celebrations every year.
Proximity to major cities: Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis are just day-trips away from the Heart of Dixie. This prime location provides itself to numerous opportunities to see all type of celebrations, shows, museums, state parks, shopping attractions and more. Did you actually believe you 'd be tired here?
Humidity: Make that winter humidity. While the humidity in the summertime is undeniably bad, it's the winter that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the additional wetness triggers cold temperatures to feel absolutely frigid. Residents state that it's not unusual for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees. If you're not into feeling the extremes in every season, it might not be long before you're miserable here.
Drug usage: The more rural locations of the state have real problems with hardship, homelessness and block after block of deserted houses. With this naturally comes problematic drug usage, and in Alabama's case, methamphetamine laboratories are a real struggle to split down on (no pun meant).
Severe storms: While experiencing all 4 seasons can be argued as an advantage, it also means that there's chance for all sort of stormy weather - and this state sees a few of the most serious. For starters, it's one of the most active tornado states. The spring and fall seasons bring heavy thunderstorms, and mid-year brings hurricanes. At any time of year, homeowners go through periods of seemingly random rainstorms, that can stop as rapidly as they start. Residents joke, "If you do not like the weather here, wait five minutes."
Weird Laws
We 'd be doing you a significant disservice if we left without giving you a list of a few of the strangest, lamest and downright dumbest laws still around in the state you're thinking about making your next homeland. We have actually compiled a couple of that'll have you raising an eyebrow in no time.
Here are just a few from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railway track is punishable by death. They wish to keep their railways without cattle, and they're actually serious about it.
It's prohibited to impersonate a priest. Genuine. Stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comedic efforts towards brand-new product - you'll thank us later.
Since it could trigger laughter, it's illegal to use a fake moustache in church. (See? We informed you they were super-serious about their church.) Religion is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's unlawful to use a mask in public. Guy, so what are we supposed to do on Halloween?
It's unlawful to play dominoes on Sunday. It interrupts the day of rest.
Prepared for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well good friends, there you have it - a carefully created guide to some of the primary consideration points for irreversible relocation. Naturally, we can't state and lie that we're able to provide you absolutely all the essential information that could affect your decision (we 'd be here for days), however 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 possibly doing some additional research study) if you can envision yourself in the Yellowhammer State, amongst the not-at-all and excellent intimidating rocket scientists, the rapid racecar drivers, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a genuine satisfaction compiling this guide for you, and we hope you have actually had your fill of Alabama goodies.
Best of luck - and don't forget to remember "Sweet House Alabama."