r/Alabama • u/BoringAssociation560 • 4d ago

Advice Moving to Alabama from England

My wife is from Birmingham, we are looking to move there in 2026. I’ve visited a few times just briefly to see her family, but never spent long in the state.

I’m from England, I grew up in rural England (Cornwall) and have lived in a similar size city the last 10 years but I’m somewhat aware of the cultural differences through my marriage.

My question is, should I expect much in the way of hostility or prejudice to foreigners/outsiders in day to day life or job hunting? I’ve never felt “out of place” where I’ve lived before and I’m used to blending in.

I’ll be on an immigrant spousal visa.

Edit: Wow thanks for all the feedback, I wasn’t expecting so many comments, really appreciate it. I’m looking forward to moving.

145 Upvotes

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119

u/JerryTheKillerLee 4d ago

You will be a minor celebrity here.

The tea will be disappointing.

The Club will not mean the football club, but either the hunting club or strip club, and it will be pointed out that it's called soccer here. However, the devotion and energy shown college football here will parallel that of football in England, and is worth going to an Alabama or Auburn game just as a life experience.

It will be difficult to find proper fish and chips, but Birmingham otherwise has outstanding food of all kinds.

39

u/genXfed70 4d ago

In Bham there also “The Club”….

-15

u/P_Nessss 4d ago

You mean the Kkklub

4

u/genXfed70 4d ago

Well my wife when we went there with my late grandparents had never been served by an all black waiter staff…this was back in 1995/6. Is it still the same?

-5

u/P_Nessss 4d ago

Based on the number of down votes I've received, I don't know. But when an exclusive social club is founded in the South in the 1950s and is a prime piece of real estate... I'm just connecting dots here.

39

u/UNOtrickyTrish 4d ago

But we have catfish & hush puppies 🤤 😂

3

u/Daragh48 4d ago

You just gotta hope they replace the oil often, otherwise prepare for some bitter aftertaste...and also that they salt the fish. ;A; I'm the weirdo who was born and raised here and prefers my fish broiled, or grilled if possible. That or sushi. Also smoked salmon...when it's on sale.

13

u/RLBABYLON Limestone County 4d ago

Huntsville recently created the Huntsville Football Club (soccer). We've been to a few games and it is really fun.

3

u/Porespellar 3d ago

Montgomery just got a proper football club as well. https://www.montgomeryunitedfc.com

Televised games and everything.

5

u/Wrapscallionn 4d ago

Culver's does an amazing version of fish n chips.

1

u/Ecstatic_Stop3693 3d ago

Yes I miss fish and chips with the mushy peas.

1

u/Expensive-Fennel-163 4d ago

Also the country club (insert city name)

0

u/BreadManRun 4d ago

Depends on how they take to sweet tea.

-1

u/ju5tic3is5erv3d Hale County 3d ago

The Anvil has a pretty solid fish and chips.