Alabama, also known as the “Heart of Dixie”, boasts a rich historical background. Alabama was named after the Alabama River by the early European explorers. The river was named after the Indian settlers known as “Alibamu” or “Alibamo.” Here are some of the nicknames and the reasons why Alabama was called that way:
- The Heart of Dixie: Named by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce to differentiate it from other “Cotton States.”
- The Yellowhammer State: This nickname was coined during the Civil War and due to the uniforms of the Confederate Soldiers and after the state bird.
- The Cotton State: Cotton was Alabama’s leading crop, and Alabama was a leading cotton producer.
- The Lizard State: Abundance of the scaly critters during the early days led to this nickname.
Bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi, Alabama is the 24th most populous and the 30th largest state in the United States. Alabama is also home to the second largest navigable inland waterway system. Northern Alabama is mountainous and contains the Tennessee River creating creeks and streams through the valley. Alabama also has a spectacular meteorite impact crater in the Elmore County, known as the Wetumpka Crater, which is Alabama’s greatest natural disaster that occurred around 80 million years ago. This crater is the 157th recognized impact crater on Earth.
Before moving to Alabama:
- Endeavor not to move in March, April, May or November when storms will be anticipated
- Best time to move is during fall when there’s less rain and moderate temperatures.
- In case you’ve got no other option, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to ensure a smooth move-in, like a fully charged cell, toolbox, first-aid kit, provisions, etc.
- Find the closest storage – you might need it.
- Read our advice if you are uncertain what to choose: Truck Rental or Professional Mover?
- If you decided to go with a moving company, read this advice: 5 things to avoid when hiring moving company.
Climate
Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with thunderstorms an annual average temperature of 64 °F
The southern part of Alabama is usually warmer because it is closer to the Gulf of Mexico while North Alabama, near the Appalachian Mountains, tend to be cooler. Alabama is scorching during the summer and has mild winters with abundant precipitation throughout the year. Alabama is also victim to tropical storms and hurricanes. Southern Alabama has reported many thunderstorms. The Gulf Coast will have around 70 to 80 days annually with thunderstorms. This hostile weather is reduced further up in the state, but the northern-most part reports around 60 days of thunderstorms per year. Usually, the public is well informed on evacuation measures, and drills are performed regularly to keep up-to-date with safety precautions and evacuation routes.
Largest cities
Alabama is divided into 67 counties which contain 169 cities and 291 towns. In Alabama, a city has a population over 2,000, and a town has lesser than 2,000. Birmingham is the most populated area in Alabama, with over 212,000 people. Alabama’s State Capitol is Montgomery.
Education
The schools in Alabama have ranked high for national averages in math, science, and reading
The primary and secondary education in Alabama is overlooked by the Alabama State Board of Education. There are over 1450 schools with around 750,000 students enrolled in them. Alabama has two super-competitive colleges, who are also archenemies in football: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and Auburn University. The other top-ranking colleges are the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Samford University, and Troy University. There are plenty of high schools in Alabama as well; Loveless Academic Magnet Progressive High School, Montgomery, Mountain Brook High School, Vestavia Hills High School, Spain Park High School, Birmingham and James Clemens High School (Madison). The oldest institutions are the University of North Alabama, Florence and Soring Hill College, Mobile both of which were founded in 1830.
In 2011, Alabama had three universities which appeared in the top 100 Public Schools in America and has 4 tier 1 universities. So, we can see that Alabama has a very high standard of education.
Food
Food is love in Alabama. From delicious desserts to scintillating seafood, Alabama has something for everyone. Here are few foods that are guaranteed to make you yearn to go there:
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Dried Catfish: served with hushpuppies and coleslaw to taste the best
- Country fried steak- everything is better when fried
- Banana Pudding
- Chicken Salad: comes with a croissant, sliced bread, crackers or just on a plate
- Fried dill pickles
- Homemade Icecream
- Caramel Cake
- Crawfish: boiled
- Boiled peanuts: irresistible
- Smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce
- Fried Chicken: indeed a comfort to the dry and hungry soul
- Fried okra: another fried delicacy
- Brunswick stew
- Casserole: yummy
- If you like locally grown fresh food, check out these farmer markets in Alabama.
Transport and roads
Alabama has six interstate roads and five auxiliary interstate routes
The transportation in Alabama is a dedicated network of roads and highways. It also has airports and sea ports.There are many commercial airports in Alabama:
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
- Huntsville International Airport
- Dothan Regional Airport
- Mobile Regional Airport
- Montgomery Regional Airport
- Muscle Shoals Regional Airport
Amtrak has the Crescent which runs daily from New York to New Orleans with stops in Anniston, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa.
Alabama has six interstate roads and five auxiliary interstate routes. Multiple US highways pass through Alabama and four toll roads.
Port of Mobile is the only salt-water port in Alabama and is situated on the Gulf of Mexico and provides inland waterway access by the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. There are many other ports connected to the Tennessee River:
- Port of Florence
- Port of Birmingham
- Port of Tuscaloosa
- Port of Montgomery
- Port of Decatur
Cost of living
Alabama has one of the lowest living costs – 12% lower than the national average and has remained stable during the recent past. But, the average salary is lower as well. Huntsville has the highest annual salary rates, and Gulf Shores has the lowest.
The federal minimum wage is around $7.25 per hour. This salary is not very favorable for people whose main income depends on tips because they may receive wages as low as $2.13 per hour, whereas in other states it’s $8.5 and above.
State property and personal income taxes
Alabama levies taxes at these rates:
For single people, family heads and married people filing separate returns:
- 2% on the first $500 of taxable income.
- 4% on taxable income between $501 and $3,000.
- 5% on all taxable income over $3,000.
For married people filing joint returns:
- 2% on the first $1,000 of taxable income.
- 4% on taxable income between $1,001 and $6,000.
- 5% on all taxable income over $6,000.
Some residents of Alabama could be entitled to deductions of up to $7500. $4000 is the standard amount for married taxpayers and $2000 for the rest. Alabama also exempts $1500 for each taxpayer and another $1500 for their spouse.
You can find an online form which will automatically calculate the payable tax amount when you enter the necessary details. Then you can print, sign and mail it.
Alabama has one of the lowest property taxes, and the average Alabama household pays only $528 annually in property taxes. That is one-fourth of the national average, $2,107.
Ethnicity and population
Alabama’s population of 4.8 million consists of:
- 68.5% White Americans
- 26.2% Black/ African Americans
- 3.9% Hispanic/ Latino Americans
- 1.5% Multiracial Americans
- 1.1% Asian
- 0.6% Native
- 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Natives
- 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
The largest ancestry groups in Alabama are 26.2% African, 23.6% English, 7.7% Irish, 5.7% German, and 2.0% Scots-Irish.
Back in the 1980s, the percentage of people with English ancestry was 41% which was deemed as the largest ancestry group at that time. Due to many Native Americans demanding recognition of their ancestry groups, there are 9 American-Indian tribes recognized by the state.
Health
Alabama has a recorded history of obesity, due to the many fried foods which I’ve listed above, with most counties having over 29% obese adults. Alabamians are known to be less physically active and are known to have the highest incidences of adult onset diabetes.
Sports teams
College football is the most famous sport in the state, with the usual competition between University of Alabama and Auburn University. Every year more than 100,000 fans gather to witness the game at Bryant-Denny and Jordan-Hare stadiums.
Alabama boasts many professional and semi-professional sports teams:
- Birmingham Barons – Baseball
- Huntsville Havoc – Ice Hockey
- Mobile BayBears – Baseball
- Birmingham Hammers – Soccer
- Tennessee Valley Tigers – Football
Alabama state: Pros & Cons
- Mild Winters
- Low property taxes
- Suitable for the football fans
- Festivals that celebrate almost anything
- Awesome beaches and scenic mountains
- The best homemade food
- Perfect balance between country and city dwelling
- Less complicated lifestyle.
- Unpredictable weather
- Put on some love handles (so much fried delicacy)
- Mosquitoes will be your new pet
- Somewhat impoverished
- Lack of social and night life
- Severe tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms
After moving
- Apply for an Alabama Driver’s license within 120 days of arrival or as soon as you’ve secured employment after moving.
- Register your vehicle at the local county clerk’s office within 90 days of moving. Perform an emissions test as well.
- Register to vote ASAP using the license or any identification certificate.
- Check your trash and recycling methods, and if you live away from the city, you might have to find a waste management company.
- Apply for a pet license, if you have any.