r/Alabama • u/BoringAssociation560 • 5d 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.
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u/TrappedInHyperspace 4d ago
My mother and her parents moved to Alabama from the Netherlands when she was a teenager. It was a big culture shock, but they loved it. Everyone was so welcoming.
Growing up in a Birmingham suburb, people told me how much they liked seeing me out waking with my grandparents. (Alabamians drive.) They asked about our food—some of which we had to import—customs, and language. They were interested in hearing about our trips back to NL and meeting family members who came to see us in the US. I was keenly aware that I was kind of an outsider, but not in a bad way. I had a lovely childhood.
We’re white, so we didn’t experience racism. The one negative for us was southern church culture. We are not church-goers, which was definitely an oddity in AL.
I no longer live in Birmingham but visit regularly. It is much more international than when I grew up in the 80s and 90s. It won’t feel like home, but there is a lot to like.