So you're thinking of moving to Alabama, however you're uncertain you have actually thoroughly mulled-over all the super-important information before getting here at your decision. Well, possibly southern-bound buddy, you've come to the right location - we've put together a handy, delicious guide that will outline some of the most crucial points for someone in your position to examine.
We don't blame you for wishing to relocate to the Heart of Dixie (as it's called) considering that the state is home to rocket researchers - Huntsville homes both the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Marshall Area 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 clever people? Plenty - from stunning landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so quickly your camera begins steaming, to savory soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Continue reading to find why you may just make Alabama your next relocation.
Task Market
According to U.S. Census data, about 4.875 million individuals presently reside in the Cotton State. About 11,447 of those people moved here in between 2016 and 2017. Also, get this - 55% of the people overall in the U.S. who relocated the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Study. Why are so lots of people are flocking here?
Well, for starters, the state has several fast-growing job fields, consisting of computer technology, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, airplane assembly and EMT, to call a few, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid professions include pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law judge, orthodontist and dental practitioner, specifies bizjournals.com.
The current unemployment rate is just 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Stats, so chances are quite good for finding work upon your move. This number has likewise been on a good, consistent decline because 2010, when it was a much-higher 11.9%. The federal base pay is the exact same as the national average, however, at $7.25/ hour, specifies minimum-wage. org.
Do not forget that Alabama is house to NASA, the U.S. Area & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight. This could extremely well be the new home of your dreams if you've got a love for all-things aerial.
Housing
You're probably going to desire a location to live after you move (we're simply thinking), so what's the probability of discovering a brand-new location 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 median home rent is $995/month, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $824/month in Birmingham.
Homes in Alabama are mostly fairly new, too - zillow.com shows that most houses presently readily available were constructed in the years 2000-2010. So not just are chances helpful for you to discover a cost effective place to live, but you'll likewise be taking a look at newish properties, too.
That being stated, there's very little in the way of new construction 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 tiny bit in the northern end of the state, 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 Locals
When transferring to a new location, you might be curious about the individuals there. Will they become your friends, or will they be the type to make you chain your doors and gaze out of a slit in your blinds in total fear?
According to residents, locals can be a real combined bag. The consensus is that Alabamians love to chatter, are passive-aggressive, and may simply deceive you with their deceptive insults. The phrase "bless your heart" is not meant warmly, however rather sardonically - and if you hear it, odds are excellent that as soon as you've left, you'll be talked about.
Do not let that discourage you. Locals worry that the primary vibe of their state is among true southern hospitality - they use "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, but this they actually do out of (buffooning) love.
You'll find yourself changing your vocabulary and pronunciations after a transfer to Alabama. The town of Burmingham, to Alabamians, has a silent 'g', and is noticable "Burmin'- ham". Don't lose who stands out like a sore thumb even if you're partial to your consonants. In addition, Alabamians have their own catch-phrase when they're prepared to do something about it: "Fixin' to."
Yellowhammer State Trivia
Montgomery, Alabama was the where a well-known event happened on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks fearlessly refused to give up 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 travelers and locals alike.
The individuals of the Cotton State are crazy about BARBEQUE - and we do mean CRAZY. They'll battle to the death (maybe not actually) over which dining establishment or local cookout serves up the finest.
Locals will CONSTANTLY rock out to "Sweet House Alabama" if it comes on the radio, and they'll crank it up to 11. When they hear that well-known opening riff, even Alabamians who secretly hate the tune will begin to boogie. The song has actually made such an impression on the culture that it's even printed on license plates.
Alabamians pride themselves on their rich food and cultural pride. They have unusual, 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 appears fitting, with a diet that abundant and heavy, 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 methods and have you reaching for seconds. Bring additional napkins.
Must-See Alabama Fun + Activities
We understand you're currently halfway out the door, baggage in hand, all set to make your relocate to the Heart of Dixie, but cool your jets for a minute. Before you go racing off like you're a chauffeur at Talladega Superspeedway, examine out this list we've put together of a few of the state's main tourist attractions.
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 historic Shuttle Park and Rocket Park and showcases distinct artifacts from the nation's area exploration. It's considered to be the world's biggest area museum, and describes the history of the U.S. area program. It's likewise home to the annual, extremely anticipated Space Camp program including the Air travel Challenge, in which trainees go through training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's tallest 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 industry - and he's kind of a big offer. His 100th birthday was a huge celebration that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 individuals.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Found in Woodville, this park offers cave trips, camping sites, hiking and backpacking. It has the largest entryway of any business collapse the world, and includes a sparkly Gems Mine with a gem mining experience available to all ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "most significant and baddest" track, it's situated in Lincoln and includes an extremely prepared for annual NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race opts for 188 laps, covering just over 500 miles. Now that's a great deal of high-speed left turns.
Alligator Street: Located in Summerdale, this swamp sanctuary has an elevated boardwalk featuring a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and various sort of wildlife. This is the location for you if you're into gazing one of humanity's most significant natural predators virtually right in the face.
Benefits and drawbacks of Residing In the Heart of Dixie
Before you perfect your BBQ dish and run to see the alligators and the world's highest Vulcan, we believed it may be worth thinking about a short-and-sweet list of a few advantages and disadvantages of transferring to Alabama.
Low expense of click here living: It's no trick that genuine estate in the Cotton State is quite cheap, and taxes are pretty low. We think that's just one of the huge factors why 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 picked this as their brand-new house.
Nature + all 4 seasons: The surface of Alabama is widely-varied, consisting of mountains, forests and beaches. There are plenty of activities for all different breeds of outdoorsy types since of this. Residents likewise like to explain that they experience all 4 seasons and see weather from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, humid summertimes and springtime torrential rainstorms.
Music: Since of its place, 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've already mentioned, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a whopping 28 different food festivals 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 chances to see all sort of celebrations, shows, museums, state parks, shopping attractions and more. Did you really believe you 'd be tired here?
While the humidity in the summertime is undeniably bad, it's the winter that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the additional wetness causes cold temperatures to feel absolutely freezing. Locals say that it's not uncommon for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees.
Drug usage: The more rural locations of the state have real problems with hardship, homelessness and block after block of abandoned houses. With this naturally comes bothersome 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 type of stormy weather - and this state sees a few of the most serious. 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, homeowners go through periods of seemingly random rainstorms, that can stop as quickly as they start. Residents joke, "If you don't like the weather here, wait 5 minutes."
Strange Laws
We 'd be doing you a significant injustice if we left without giving you a list of a few 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 couple of that'll have you raising an eyebrow in no time.
Here are simply a few from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railway track is punishable by death. They wish to keep their railways devoid of 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.
Due to the fact that it could trigger laughter, it's unlawful to wear a phony moustache in church. (See? We told you they were super-serious about their church.) Religious beliefs is no laughing matter to Alabamians.
It's prohibited to wear a mask in public. Male, so what are we supposed to do on Halloween?
It's prohibited to play dominoes on Sunday. It disturbs the day of rest.
Gotten ready 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 for irreversible relocation. Naturally, we can't state and lie that we're able to offer you absolutely all the essential details that could affect your decision (we 'd be here for days), however it's our hope that we've 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 challenging rocket scientists, the quick racecar drivers, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a real satisfaction compiling this guide for you, and we hope you have actually had your fill of Alabama goodies.
All the best - and don't forget to remember "Sweet Home Alabama."