Alabama, the “Yellowhammer State” or the “Heart of Dixie”, is located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama has one of the longest navigable inland waterways in the nation.
When moving to Alabama, the first thing you should consider is what time of year you’re planning on moving in. Try to avoid moving in the middle of summer or winter, as these tend to be high-storm seasons. Some may not have the luxury to choose but if you do, spring and fall are better times to move. Alabama has one of the highest hurricane, tornado and thunderstorm frequencies in the nation. If you haven’t lived in an area that has had weather conditions similar, you may want to research and get an idea on whether it is something you can live with.
Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile are the four largest cities in Alabama, with the state capital residing in Montgomery. These major cities have all the amenities you could find in any other major city in the US. These cities are spread out evenly throughout the state with many rural areas, farming lands, and countless tiny towns in between. It is generally easy to navigate throughout the state. all major roads are well-kept with easy-to-follow signs. There are six major interstate highways that run through Alabama (I-85, I-65, I-22, I-59, I-20, and I-10), with auxiliary highways as well. Moving to Alabama is the ideal choice for someone looking for a laid back and quiet place that still offers big city amenities.
The average salary in Alabama is far lower than much of the rest of the country and this is reflected in its cost of living, which tends to be at the lower end of the national average. The minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which may seem frightening if you’re moving from a state with a higher rate. Studies have shown, though, that with the low cost of living, the actual adjusted rate for minimum wage in Alabama puts it ahead of other states. Although, this doesn’t take tipped employees into account, as the minimum tipped wage is $2.13 an hour. If you’re sticking to the South in your move, know that Birimingham has been viewed as the top city for economic growth. A great deal of Alabama’s economic growth since the 1990’s has been due to the state’s expanding automotive manufacturing industry. This is largely due to the fact that Alabama is the only state with the capabilities to make cast iron and steel. A major source of jobs comes from the fact that Alabama is one of the few states left with the ability to manufacture these natural resources.
Alabama’s public education system has improved greatly in recent decades, though it lags behind in achievement compared to other states. The high school graduation rate is at 75% and efforts have been made to improve literacy in elementary and middle school. The No Child Left Behind Act has given the state the opportunity to improve it’s education and most residents are quick to defend this. Alabama boasts 14 public four-year universities, with 61 total university and colleges over all. There are eight historically Black four-year and three two-year colleges. There are also two medical schools, five law schools (three of which are American Bar Association accredited, two unaccredited) and four of Alabama’s universities are in Tier 1 on US News & World Report. Alabama is usually most known for, however, the intense football rivalries the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa has between Auburn University (more commonly known as the Iron Bowl) and the University of Tennessee Volunteers (known as the Third Saturday in October).
Aside from the intense football scene, Alabama is home to a number of tourist friendly attractions, some more obscure, like the fact that this state is the only place in the world that has a monument dedicated to a insect that most people consider a pest. The Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, Alabama, celebrates the bug’s contribution to the agriculture of the state. More iconic places to visit include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Zoo, the USS Alabama Memorial Park, the University of Alabama campus, Mobile Bay, and the Us Space and Rocket Center to name a few.
Most of Alabama’s major cities are major tourist stops to visits through the South. The state is steeped in the history of this country, mostly the Civil War and the civil Rights movement. Alabama is home to sixty miles of incredible Gulf Coast beaches and world class home-style southern food. Pictures online don’t do the beauty of the state justice; it’s truly a sight to see to believe.