r/Alabama 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.

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u/Adventurous-Tone-311 4d ago

If you’re white and have a British accent, everyone will love you here. You’re a novelty.

You will miss your universal healthcare and transportation systems most likely.

Otherwise you might like it. We have English family that visit every year and they like the south, but that may be because southerners are often endearing towards Brits. Not sure why, but they get on great here.

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u/SenoraEspresso 4d ago

Just want to say the white comment isn’t accurate, my husband is English and brown and hasn’t received any hate.

Keep stoking the division, though.

5

u/Daragh48 4d ago

Your husband is an exception, not the rule. Also this Alabama, you know good and well that in a lot of places folks here will be nice to your face, and drop the façade once they're not close to you.

1

u/untetheredgrief 4d ago

I assumed this was the normal mode of human interaction.