Moving to Sweet Home Alabama
Alabama — one of the states that helped shape the future of the country, is located in the southeast of the US. According to the US Census Bureau, the state has a population of over 4.89 million people. Often nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, Heart of Dixie, and the Cotton State, Alabama is the only state in the US that can provide the needed natural resources to make iron and steel. It is, therefore, the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products in the entire nation. Its state slogan is ‘Audemus jura nostra defendere’, which means “We Dare Defend Our Rights”.
In contrast to California’s Mediterranean climate that ranges from polar to subtropical, Alabama has a humid subtropical climate. The temperatures in the southern part of the state are warmer, while in the northern part of Alabama, the temperatures are colder, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains. In general, Alabama summers are very hot, with average temperatures that can go over 90 °F, while its winters have a mild climate. Most parts of the state are prone to tropical storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Economy and Employment
After the World War II, Alabama’s economy changed from being mainly dependent on the agricultural sector to a more diverse one. Nowadays the state’s economy depends on management, automobile manufacturing, finance, banking, aerospace, mineral extraction, healthcare, steel production and fabrication, retail, education, and technology.
Alabama’s economy has been growing rapidly since the 1990s due to its expansion in the automotive manufacturing industry. The state currently ranks fourth in the US for vehicle exports and is home to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Mercedes-Benz US International, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
Redstone Arsenal, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Maxwell Air Force Base, the State of Alabama, and Mobile County Public School System are among the top five employers of the state. In case you are a great aeronautical fan, Alabama is also home to NASA, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Housing and Living Costs
Since the living costs in Alabama are 12% lower than the national average, it is no wonder why there is an influx of people coming from various states and deciding to make Alabama their new home. Keep in mind that the median income in Alabama is also lower than the national average. You can get the highest annual salary rates in Huntsville, while the lowest rates have been recorded in Gulf Shores.
The cost of living in Montgomery, Alabama’s capital, is 39% cheaper than in Los Angeles, while the median home cost is 81% lower. Compare other Alabama cities with California on Best Places website to find more about utilities, food, health, and transportation costs.
What to do in Alabama
There are so many things you can visit in Alabama in your free time. The Gulf State Park, Monte Sano State Park, Cheaha State Park, Oak Mountain State Park, and Cathedral Caverns State Park are just some of the must-visit places in the state.
Besides an abundance of parks, Alabama offers plenty of other attractions such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Cheaha Mountain, Fort Morgan, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Bankhead National Forest, Vulcan Statue, Talladega Superspeedway, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and Alligator Alley.
Moving to Alabama with a car
Once you become a new resident of Alabama, you will have 30 days to register your vehicle. Keep in mind that in order to register your car, you will also need an Alabama title and insurance. For more information on how to register your car and all the documents you need to submit, visit Alabama Department of Revenue online. Check with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency about transferring your out-of-state driver’s license.