You're believing of moving to Alabama, however you're not sure you've completely mulled-over all the super-important details prior to getting here at your decision. Well, potentially southern-bound friend, you have actually 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 transfer 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 use, besides huge advances in the area program and extremely wise individuals? Plenty - from beautiful landscapes that'll have you clicking your shutter so quick your electronic camera starts steaming, to tasty soul food, to seriously action-packed sporting events. Read on to discover why you might simply make Alabama your next move.
Job Market
According to U.S. Census information, about 4.875 million people currently live in the Cotton State. About 11,447 of those people moved here between 2016 and 2017. Likewise, get this - 55% of individuals in general in the U.S. who moved in the year 2017 moved to Alabama, according to the 2017 National Movers Study. Why are so many people are gathering here?
Well, for beginners, the state has several fast-growing job fields, consisting of computer technology, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, aircraft assembly and EMT, among others, according to zippia.com. The highest-paid careers include pediatrician, nurse anesthetist, administrative law dental expert, orthodontist and judge, states bizjournals.com.
The existing joblessness rate is simply 3.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Data, so chances are quite excellent for finding work upon your move. The federal minimum wage is the same as the national average, however, at $7.25/ hour, states minimum-wage.
Don't forget that Alabama is home to NASA, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Marshall Space Flight Center. If you have actually got a love for all-things aerial, this might effectively be the brand-new house of your dreams.
Real estate
You're probably going to desire a location to live after you move (we're simply thinking), so what's the possibility of discovering a brand-new location you'll like (and have the ability to pay for) in the Yellowhammer State?
Well, zillow.com specifies that the mean value of homes currently on the market is $128,900, with an average listing cost of $190,000. The median house 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 currently readily available were constructed in the years 2000-2010. Not only are odds good for you to discover a cost effective place to live, but you'll also be looking at newish residential or commercial properties, too.
That being said, there's not much in the method of brand-new building popping up these days, according to zillow.com. A little is taking place in main Alabama, around Birmingham; a little in the southwest corner, near Mobile; and a little bit in the northern end of the state, in and around Huntsville.
If cheaper real estate, particularly around the state's hot-spots, appeals to you, you may simply desire to set your sights on the Heart of Dixie.
Culture and Locals
When moving to a new location, you might be curious about the people 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 paranoia?
According to residents, locals can be a real mixed bag. The agreement is that Alabamians like to gossip, are passive-aggressive, and may just 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 good that as soon as you have actually left, you'll be discussed.
Don't let that deter you. Residents stress that the primary 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 lots of food. They might describe you as a Yankee if you're from the North, but this they in fact do out of (mocking) love.
You'll discover yourself adjusting 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 protrudes like a sore thumb just due to the fact that you like your consonants. In addition, Alabamians have their own catch-phrase when they're all set to take action: "Fixin' to."
Yellowhammer State Trivia
Montgomery, Alabama was the where a famous event took place on December 1, 1955 - the day when Rosa Parks bravely refused to quit her seat on the bus to a white guy. Today, to honor this regional woman's act of bravery, the Rosa Parks Library and Museum stands in the town of Montgomery, bring in great deals of travelers and residents alike.
The individuals of the Cotton State are crazy about BARBEQUE - and we do mean CRAZY. They'll battle to the death (maybe not literally) over which restaurant or regional 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. Even Alabamians who covertly hate the tune will begin to boogie when they hear that famous opening riff. 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 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 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 midway 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 motorist at Talladega Superspeedway, have a look at this list we have actually compiled of a few of the state's piece de resistances.
Here just a few of the state's can't- miss activities and sights:
U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Found 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 yearly, highly expected Area check here Camp program featuring the Aviation Difficulty, in which trainees undergo training in flight simulators.
Vulcan statue: In Birmingham, the world's tallest cast iron statue stands an excellent 56 feet high. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, represents the state's roots in the iron and steel industry - and he's type of a huge deal. His 100th birthday was a big celebration that drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Cathedral Caverns State Park: Located in Woodville, this park offers cavern 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 ages.
Talladega Superspeedway: AKA NASCAR's "greatest and baddest" track, it lies in Lincoln and features a hugely anticipated annual NASCAR race, the Alabama 500. The race chooses 188 laps, covering simply over 500 miles. Now that's a lot of high-speed left turns.
Alligator Alley: Located in Summerdale, this swamp sanctuary has a raised boardwalk including a too-close-for-comfort view of numerous alligators and various sort of wildlife. If you're into staring one of mankind's most significant natural predators almost right in the face, this is the location for you.
Benefits and drawbacks 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 taking into account 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 quite cheap, and taxes are pretty low. We think that's just one of the huge reasons that 55% of relocators across the country in 2017 picked this as their brand-new house.
Nature + all four seasons: The surface of Alabama is widely-varied, including mountains, beaches and forests. Since of this, there are a lot of activities for all various types of outdoorsy types. Locals also like to explain that they experience all four seasons and see weather from all over the spectrum - from snow and ice storms to hot, humid summertimes and springtime torrential downpours.
Music: Since of its place, 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. Big names in all genres - ranging from jazz to rock 'n' roll to country - make looks here.
Food: As we've already pointed out, Alabamians are die-hard foodies. The town of Birmingham alone has a massive 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 area provides itself to numerous opportunities to see all kinds of festivals, performances, museums, state parks, going shopping tourist attractions and more. Did you truly think you 'd be bored here?
While the humidity in the summer season is unquestionably bad, it's the winter that separates die-hard Alabamians from wannabees - the extra moisture triggers cold temperatures to feel definitely frigid. Locals say that it's not uncommon for a 45-degree day on the thermometer to feel closer to 10 degrees.
Substance abuse: 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 labs are a real battle to split down on (no pun meant).
Severe storms: While experiencing all 4 seasons can be argued as a great thing, it also means that there's chance for all type of stormy weather condition - 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."
Weird Laws
We 'd be doing you a significant disservice if we left without offering you a list of a few of the strangest, lamest and downright dumbest laws still in existence in the state you're thinking about making your next homeland. We've compiled a couple of that'll have you raising an eyebrow in no time.
Here are just a couple of from onlyinyourstate.com:
Putting salt onto a railroad track is punishable by death. They want to keep their railways free of livestock, and they're truly serious about it.
It's prohibited to impersonate a priest. For real. So stop practicing your impression in the mirror, and put your comedic efforts towards brand-new material - you'll thank us later on.
It's illegal to use a fake moustache in church due to the fact that it could cause laughter. (See? We informed you they were super-serious about their church.) Religion 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 disrupts the day off. Duh. You know how heated those dominoes matches can get!
Gotten ready for Landing in the Heart of Dixie
Well buddies, there you have it - a thoroughly designed guide to a few of the main consideration points for permanent moving. Of course, we can't lie and say that we're able to offer you absolutely all the crucial details that might influence your decision (we 'd be here for days), however it's our hope that we've offered you a good introducing pad to fire up your choice rocket from.
Now it's up to you to choose (after potentially doing some additional research) if you can visualize yourself in the Yellowhammer State, amongst the outstanding and not-at-all intimidating rocket scientists, the rapid racecar drivers, the soul-filled foodies, and the always-hungry alligators. It's been a genuine pleasure assembling this guide for you, and we hope you have actually had your fill of Alabama goodies.
Good luck - and do not forget to remember "Sweet House Alabama."