My husband's people are from Alabama, and we'd like to move there. We're looking central, the Black Belt, and between Montgomery and Birmingham. What's it like there? I've visited Bama, but only up north.

-- Catherine (constancy@la.com), October 20, 2001

Answers

Hi Catherine, I am from Alabama but not the central or northern part. I live about an hour north of Mobile. I like it here but it sure is hot in the summer but, it isn't so cold in winter. Take care.

-- Faye (rcart@millry.net), October 20, 2001.

Hi Catherine! We live in a small mining community located between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. We really like it here! We are far enough out, not to have to deal with trafic and all, but close enough to two large cities for conviences. The summers are hot, but the winters are not so bad. We don't have snow very often. If we do see snow, it is usually just enough to make the roads messy (if you have enough snow to build a snowman it is considered a blizzard here! LOL) If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Good luck! Lisa B.

-- Lisa B. (J5diecast@aol.com), October 20, 2001.

Hi Catherine! We live on 13 acres in north central Alabama kind of north of Birmingham about 35 miles.

The main thing to look for when moving here is to check out the zoning or potential zoning in the areas you may move too. Up here we're getting a lot of spill over from Birmingham and they are building subdivisions like crazy. Right now out in the county is not zoned (Blount County) but they keep threatening to do that.

Also we have a goofy governor right now (I am a newspaper reporter and I mean GOOFY!) but you can get around that!

We do have some cold weather in the winter but it usually doesn't last long! We have some HOT summer weather too! They say if you don't like the weather in Alabama, just wait til tomorrow because you'll get something new!

If you are moving to the Black Belt area and don't move too close to any big cities you might be o.k. as far as zoning, animals, and countryside type things. Check with their local government AND THEN check with their local newspaper because the government folks (like the county commission) may not tell you everything.

We homeschooled our last two kids. Most of the rural schools here are pretty good, a lot better than what the national media will tell you. And most of the schools have a reading program that has been a model for the country.

We have all kinds of religious groups here so if you look for a church you'll likely find one you like.

My husband started a handyman business last year and is doing well with that. There were a lot of car manufacturing companies like Honda and Mercedes Bend that have built big plants in Alabama. So that helps the economy in those areas.

The countryside in Alabama is beautiful!!! In north Alabama it's almost like the Smokey Mountains! We had a drought the summer of 2000 but had plent of rain this past summer.

Let us know if we can be of any more help! You can e-mail me direct too! Suzy

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), October 21, 2001.

We don't live there anymore, but look at Greenville, Butler county, AL. It's located on I-65 approx. 45 miles south of Montgomery. It's rural all the way, but has easy access to either Montgomery or Mobile by interstate. The people of Butler county are warm and welcoming to newcomers. Greenville is the county seat so call or write for more info. Good luck on your move.

-- Nessa (macnessas@yahoo.com), October 22, 2001.

Live on 5 acres in Oregon.am settled here at least until my kids are grown but...was stationed at redstone arsonal outside Huntsville and loved it ...very nice town and counryside and would be a nice place to homestead(how do animals fare in the heat?) love Alabama and those great accents!

-- Pete (hazeldog99@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.