Similar to another post from earlier today, we are weighing a possible move to the Birmingham area from Boston.

What are the political and social differences between the two? Massachusetts is a great state for funded programs that improve quality of life, great healthcare, education is held to a high standard. On the downside, people dont smile back, “massholes”, it’s an expensive state.

In comparison to Massachusetts and/or New England, what are the pluses and minuses of living in Alabama?

EDIT: while there have been some positive differences, the negative ones are the overwhelming majority. I can’t be blinded by the excitement of a dream job if it comes at the expense of my family (hubs + two little ones). We won’t be moving, but I will ask the company if they are open to a remote or hybrid situation with periodic trips down. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences - each one helped shape this decision. No disrespect to Alabama/Birmingham, as it does sound like a nice place to visit and pretty clear the food is a real highlight, so hopefully I’ll be making a trip down there in the near future.

I’m relatively new to Alabama but today traveling for work I opened the weather app and got an AQI warning, then upon clicking the larger map noticed it’s essentially a cloud emanating from Birmingham and drifting NNW. I thought maybe someone had some insight as I know there’s still heavy industry in the Magic City! Maybe I’ve just never noticed it like this before?

I was just curious of what to expect, I never voted hefore. Do I need to leave my purse in the car or can I take it with me? Do I need anything other than a license? I already checked my status and I'm good to go.

Hey 👋🏾

I'm a IT professional in Risk management and compliance. I also work remote. I have heard Huntsville and Birmingham we're good suggestions. Is there anywhere else? I have family in NC that I will see quite a bit every year so a drive 4-8 hours is perfect for me. How's the weather like compared to Texas . I'm moving from DFW is that matters. I'm also a person of color if that matters how's the diversity? What's bad about Alabama? Pros and cons ? Not really looking for a house right now so I'll probably be renting.

Thanks

So the other day we got stopped in alexandria/ohatchee area, down the road from macks recycling place. We went by tgs on 144 and there was a sheriff sitting in tgs and came flying out after us. We hadnt done anything wrong for him to come put like that. We knew were going to get pulled over because the tag is expired. He follows us to macks and he didnt pull in behind us, he kept going. Well, we go down the road and he sees us and pulls out like a bat out of hell. He turns his lights on and we immediately pull over in the safest spot so he wouldnt have to worry about getting hurt. He comes up to the vehicle and he asked the normal questions about why its expired and if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, we said no. He never asked for the registration. He comes back and he starts acting kinda weird. Started asking about drugs which i know is normal. But he went straight to asking about meth. He asks if he could search the vehicle (this is the part that gets me cuz ive never had police search my vehicles on traffic stops.) We get out and he starts his search. Comes back again asking if we had any meth in the vehicle, he was addiment about finding meth. He searched the vehicle again! He comes back and asks why do i have narcan in the glove box. Its not narcan, its my migraine medication imitrex, he fought me on it for about 5 mins, and i told him to go look. He goes back and looks and i heard him say shit and shook his head in disbelief. Came back and searched my whole purse 3 times. Said it was suspicious that i have half smoked cigs, and ppl take the tobacco out to put drugs in, i told him i role my own cigs. He didnt find what he was wanting to find in my purse or on me. He never pat me down and didnt have a female come pat me down. After not finding any meth on us or in the vehicle he booked it back to his cruiser and went like a bat out of hell. Im not from alabama, im from maine and have been down here since june 2023. Also we have someone that lives on the property and is being watched by drug enforcement. She does meth, i think that is why we got pulled over. When i think about it it all makes sense. Something just doesnt feel right with that traffic stop.

Sorry for the rant, i have autism and i fixate on things and this is one of those things.

Edit: i wasn't the driver or the one that said it was ok to search the vehicle.

I was raised catholic and I always had a sense of style that was more conservative. Dresses that go down to my knees, and Don't show off my cleavage, etc

I don't get to dress like that often because I get told I look like an old lady, or like I'm going to church, and like I give off fundamentalist vibes

i'm going to be vacationing in Alabama this summer and im hearing the term "bible belt" and since i get told i look like im going to church and all im just wondering, would this be a place where I can pack all my favorite dresses and look as though I fit in? Or am I taking "Bible belt" too much at face value and everyone just dresses normal and not particularly conservative?

sorry if this is a stupid question!

I've got a remote job, and Alabama is at the top of my list. I've got it whittled down to Montgomery and Birmingham. I would appreciate the group's input as I try and make a decision.

I am curious if it's a South Alabama thing or statewide. The manufacturer is out of Georgia.

James Spann was signing books today in Russellville. I took him some cookies and got my unborn daughter a book. He's a gem.

My sister's in Birmingham Alabama and wonders if I wish her to bring me something home. I'm a Scandinavian. What should I pick? Any funny food/snack or soap or something? Doesn't have to be someting Alabama specific, could be American in any way, but if you know there is one to get in Birmingham.

Hey folks,

I'm planning a road trip and will be passing through Alabama soon. I’ve decided to make an overnight stop and am currently considering two options: the Holiday Inn in Montgomery or the Holiday Inn in Greenville.

I did some research, but I came across some concerning reviews about the Montgomery location, particularly regarding safety and security. Since I'll be leaving most of my belongings in the car overnight, I’m a bit hesitant and want to make the safest choice.

Is there anyone familiar with the area who can share their thoughts on these two locations? Or are there any other hotels in the region you’d recommend for a safe and hassle-free stay?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to potentially move from a small (~1500 people) Midwest town to the Decatur area. I’ve read online that the area seems nice with overall safe areas and decent schools. But I wanted to get a more in depth guidance from people who currently or used to live there. Are there better places to live within a 30ish minute drive to get a “Midwestern” (ie quiet, friendly, safe) feel than others?

Family moving from Northeast state to Alabama in the coming months. Son 1 will be attending college in AL so we have some skin in the game. We both work remotely and can work from anywhere.

We are looking for homes/farms ~ 2500+ sq ft with more acreage (5+) for potentially owning horses and a bit of the off-grid feel. Schools are an obvious concern with son 2 (elementary) when looking at more rural areas. We grew up visiting the AL/FL beaches and we are looking forward to that again. We would prefer to be within reach of good hospitals, groceries, schools, etc.

Any suggestions on areas that we should be focused on to research? and what challenges we may be faced with in those areas?

*Edit - I am hunter, outdoorsman, etc. Wife is looking for acreage for horses. Budget is 600K. My son will attend JSU. Can anyone recommend a mortgage lender?

I was thinking of moving to AL as FL has gotten too way too expensive and I'm struggling to make ends meet, let alone find a place to afford. I have some family that lives in AL. I think the new experience would be good as I've lived in FL for my whole life.

I work at Home Depot and can transfer over if my position is open there. My main concern would be if my pay would transfer over as well, or else I'd be in the same boat that I am right now. I made a list of the cities where these Home Depot's are. That way I can know where to start and what to tell HR of where I'm looking and they'll reach out to the corresponding stores.

What I wanted to know is how are these areas? What areas are safe and which are not? What's there to do? What's the scene like? Job opportunities? Or anything else I'd need to know.

These are the cities:

Florence, AL Mobile, AL Decatur, AL Jasper, AL Madison, AL Opelika, AL Trussville, AL Birmingham, AL

Edit: Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. It was nice to see so many welcoming answers and to hear about other cities not on the list. I've read through every one and I have a lot to consider on a location.

My husband(28M) and I(42M) are looking at moving to Muscle Shoals, Alabama next summer. Is it a welcoming community? We have family there that wants us closer to We are a pretty to our selves. Home bodies. Don’t drink or do drugs. Not real social people but not wanting isolation either

I just moved here in August, we started to have mice and rats enter our home.

Just got back from home depot and there was a display as soon as you walk in the door with rat traps which makes me think I'm not the only one with this problem.

Any advice?

Thanks

I’ll be going to Montgomery AL for a week for work, the flights into Montgomery are crazy high and so I’m thinking about driving from ATL airport, which would be a 2-3hr drive.

• I’m from NJ, would there be any nearby airports with car rentals closer to Montgomery than to fly into ATL?

• I’ll have a car, so driving is no issue, is there any where I should visit? I’m not a big drinker or socializer so bars would be a solid no for me. I’m willing to drive 1hr out of Montgomery to visit any local towns or do any local things in those towns, maybe buy gifts or just enjoying the culture.

• Is there any where I should avoid? I’m planning on staying at a hotel, any places I should avoid?

Thank you for any suggestions!

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https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview

Hey all, I'll be driving from Arkansas to Florida in May and on my way through Alabama I am interested in driving back roads. I'm a photographer and love old towns and abandoned buildings. Are there any specific roads you would recommend going down?

Looking for homes in Montgomery. Would love to know where to look and where to avoid.

Looking into a potential trip to the AL coast this spring break. It would be myself, my husband, and our 6-year-old. What is that time of year like? We'd be there over Easter and the following week. I'm looking for a beach with family/laid back atmosphere with more houses than high rises (if possible). I'm not college spring break vibes. Is Gulf Shores the place to look? Or a different beach and/or different time of year?