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Homes For Sale In Alabama
Deep in the southern part of the United States is the sweet home of Alabama, also known as the Heart of Dixie. For years Alabama’s economy was centered around agriculture, specifically cotton, but it has since grown to include other industries like aerospace, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Alabama is known for its intricate waterways and if you love the coast, laidback southern hospitality, and sports, then you’ll fit in nicely here. While you’re looking at Alabama real estate, continue reading to learn more about Alabama homes for sale.
Alabama Real Estate Market
Alabama homes are some of the most affordable in the country! Not only that, the cost of living is 13% below the national average! A lot of people consider homes in Alabama when looking for a state to retire in. There’s no tax on social security retirement benefits; plus if your home is paid for, Alabama has some of the lowest property taxes in the United States, and if you are over 65 years of age, you are exempt from the state portion of property taxes. This helps make Alabama rated number six for the best states to retire in.
Homes for sale in Alabama average about $305K. The majority of homes in Alabama are single-family homes, though you’ll find townhomes and condos for sale in Alabama in the big cities like Orange Beach, AL and smaller vacation cities like Guntersville, AL. Most homes were built between the 1970s to 2000s, with about three bedrooms, and an average of 1,800 square feet. The three primary home styles in Alabama are Craftsman, Cape Cod, and Antebellum. You’ll find Alabama homes dating back to the 1930s and older, as well as new construction homes.
Major Cities in Alabama
What’s neat about Alabama houses is that no matter where you live, you’re conveniently located near everything you need. If you want to live near the water or in a flourishing urban area, here are some of Alabama’s top cities to live in.
- Birmingham- Alabama’s largest city, Birmingham, has a population of about 200K people in the city proper and over 1.1M in the entire metro area. Birmingham has also been the location for some of Alabama’s cultural and economic development. Birmingham has a booming business center, with several Fortune 1000 companies. There’s also lots to do outdoors with many trails at Red Mountain Park. Here you’ll find a mixture of urban and rural countryside, making Birmingham an excellent place to settle down if you’re wanting the best of both worlds.
- Montgomery- Serving as the state capital of Alabama, Montgomery is the second-largest city in the state. This city is lively, full of history, and offers lots of job opportunities. Montgomery has seen and experienced a lot through the years, but in recent years it has received praise for its rejuvenation and urban projects like charming restaurants, shopping, public spaces, and respectfully acknowledging the civil rights movement that took place there.
- Mobile- Home to one of the largest shipping ports in the U.S., Mobile is rooted in history, architecture, fishing, and other activities, like the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile prides itself in its long-standing Mardi Gras tradition and is arguably its original home of it. There’s so much to do here, that Mobile would be a great place to plant some roots.
- Huntsville- Located close to the northern border of Alabama, Huntsville is the third-largest city in the state, with a population of around 193K. Huntsville is also known as the Rocket City for the aerospace and advanced-technology businesses, and the military based here. It’s even one of the most well-educated cities in the world! Ask for directions, and you could literally be talking to a rocket scientist. Several Fortune 500 companies are located in Huntsville including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.
- Auburn- Home to one of the top 10 college towns, Auburn is most known for Auburn University, with a student body of 24K students. Not only is Auburn a college town, it’s also part of one of the fastest-growing metro areas and is among the top ten places to live in the United States! It’s no wonder Auburn is a popular place to live, with award-winning schools, affordable housing, and proximity to other major cities like Birmingham, Montgomery, and even Atlanta, GA.
Alabama Schools
Education has been a top priority in Alabama in recent decades. There is no shortage of colleges and grade schools to help give Alabamans a quality education. Some of the top colleges and universities in Alabama are:
- The University of Alabama
- Auburn University
- Troy University
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Best School Districts in Alabama
- Orange Beach School District- Located near Mobile, in Baldwin County, Orange Beach is Alabama’s newest city to break away from the county school system to create its own district.
- Mountain Brook School System- Located near Birmingham, in southeastern Jefferson County, is a K-12 school system with about 4,400 students in four elementary schools, one junior high, and one high school.
- Vestavia Hills City School District- Located just southeast of Birmingham, in Jefferson County, is a K-12 school system with about 7,000 students across nine schools: five elementary, two middle schools, and two high schools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Real Estate
Where are the commercial airports in Alabama?
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is located just northeast of Birmingham.
- Huntsville International Airport at Carl T. Jones Field is located southwest of Huntsville.
What major landmarks and attractions are a must-see in Alabama?
- USS Alabama (BB-60) in Mobile. It’s the Navy’s sixth ship and serves as the main attraction at the Battleship Memorial Park.
- The beach. Stretching 32 miles along the Gulf Coast, Alabama’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world with their white sand and turquoise waters.
- U.S. Space & Rocket Center at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. It serves as a destination for any science fan and for children attending U.S. Space Camp.
Where is the best place to live in Alabama?
Huntsville, AL has been rated the third best place to live in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. It has some of the best schools, making it great for families. The cultures are also diverse and are one of the most sought-after places to buy a home in Alabama. In addition, the suburbs of major cities like Birmingham offer even more affordability while maintaining convenience.
Where’s the most affordable place to live in Alabama?
Montgomery, Florence, Mobile, and Anniston are all mentioned in numerous articles as having not only a low cost of living but also just all around great places to live.
Living In Alabama
Alabama landscapes are stunning, and the scenery varies from one part of the state to another. In the southern half, you’ll find dreamy white sandy beaches. In the north, you’ll explore nature in the mountain ranges and numerous lakes known for bass fishing, as Alabama is where the Bassmasters were founded. It’s safe to say, Alabama is an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland!
When many think of music in the South, they may think of Tennessee, or if they’re from Alabama they’re going to think of their home state. Alabama has a rich history of music and its melodies are still prevalent here today with the sounds of blues, country music, and jazz. Whether it’s attending the Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham, engaging the sounds at the Hank Williams Festival in Montgomery, or you are an artist recording at the studios in Muscle Shoals, you can experience the music in Alabama just about anywhere.
Weather in Alabama
In the South, winters are mild and summers are hot. Alabama is no exception. Summers are humid with temperatures averaging in the 90s to 100s. It evens out though because winters aren’t extremely cold and offer a cool relief with January highs averaging in the 50s. Just with any place along the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama coasts will experience hurricanes from time to time. Though it is extreme, it is possible to weather the storms here. Have an emergency plan in place, have safety supplies at the ready, and be weather aware.
Alabama Hospitals
There are hospitals all over the state of Alabama and you are almost guaranteed to be within close proximity to one. The bigger cities tend to have several to choose from, but even smaller towns have hospitals too. The top hospitals in Alabama are:
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital
- Huntsville Hospital
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham
Alabama Sports
When we say Alabama Sports, we really just mean football. Everyone here has a team they’re for, and it’s usually a toss-up between one of two teams: U of A Crimson Tide or Auburn Tigers. They aren’t the only two teams in the state, but they’re a part of the SEC so they draw a lot of attention. No matter the team though, football isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life here in Alabama.
Alabama Jobs
The jobs sectors in Alabama are vast with opportunities everywhere. Several companies have shifted to working at home, which has resulted in many people moving to Alabama and has created new opportunities for residents.
Alabama is the only place in the U.S. with natural resources to make iron and steel. Because of this, Alabama produces the most cast-iron and steel pips in the United States.
Another major industry in Alabama is the auto industry, which is in the top five states for producing cars and trucks. Forestry is huge too, as Alabama is the nation’s top producer of pulp and the third largest of paper production. Like most places, the tech industry is booming in Alabama too, specifically in Huntsville and Madison County being the core for technology.
Dating back to 1910, when the Wright Brothers opened a civilian flight school, the aeronautics industry was born here, and it never looked back. From helping put a man on the moon to companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon planting roots here, it’s safe to say Alabama knows a thing or two about flying.
Lastly, Alabama is the second-largest exporter of chemical manufacturing, with over 200 companies here creating chlorine, emissions catalysts, light stabilizers, and oxidants.
Some of the largest companies to work for in Alabama are Redstone Arsenal, U of A Birmingham Hospital, Huntsville Hospital, Alabama Power, and Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
Alabama Transportation
The best way to travel around Alabama is by vehicle. It’s the easiest and public transportation is limited to the major cities. There are several interstates that run through Alabama with several of them converging in Birmingham. These interstates include I-20, I-22, I-59, I-85, I-65, and I-16. Traffic in Alabama isn’t as congested compared to other states, but will also vary depending on where you live.
Traveling by rail is another popular way to get around Alabama. The three main train stations in Alabama are Anniston, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa. Amtrak serves all three stations, which have connections to the New York Penn Station and New Orleans.