6 Top-Ranked Towns In Alabama For Retirees
Besides its great state parks and spellbinding scenery, Alabama boasts amazing history and attractions. For instance, Mobile was one of the founding places for the Mardi Gras. These aside, Alabamians are among the most down-to-earth and friendly lot. A long queue invariably involves a hearty conversation. If one also considers its affordability and tax-friendliness, “The Heart of Dixie" offers an unmatched retirement experience. If you are looking for specific suggestions, discover the six top-ranked towns in Alabama for retirees.
Pelham
Few pleasures of life can compare to retiring right next to Oak Mountain State Park, the largest state park in Alabama. This park spans 9,940 acres and provides an eclectic menu of outdoor fun and adventure, including biking, boating, and hiking. Retirement here also comes with being close to the Alabama Wildlife Center, a nice place to see an eagle up and close — and pick two or three life lessons. Plus, one will be at the doorstep of Alabama's largest outdoor amphitheater, a fantastic facility that provides a comfortable and convenient concert-viewing experience. Pelham is just 19 miles from Birmingham, so no worries regarding access to big-city amenities, including hospitals.
The median age here is 40, which means an empty nester can mingle with both the young and the old and get the best from both worlds. Finally, while homes in Pelham are listed for a median price of $489,000, they are sold for a more affordable median price of $266,500. Considering its proximity to Birmingham, this price point is a good bang for the buck.
Opelika
Opelika scores big on almost all fronts. It is small and intimate, yet close enough to Auburn, the largest city in eastern Alabama. This means a retiree here will also be close to the Auburn University Campus, whose Osher Lifelong Learning Institute provides a range of services and courses to the elderly, including a discount on books at the Auburn University Bookstore. Besides, Opelika residents are known to be kind, caring, and generous. Numerous eateries dot the town, including Freddy's, whose burgers are often served hot and fresh. Then, there is the array of golf courses, including Grand National, a Robert Trent Jones course on the 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee. You can also spend memorable evenings at the Red Clay Brewing Company, where you can raise a glass and toast to brighter days.
Opelika will ensure a retiree is young at heart; its median age is 39. It is also perfect for those who prefer some diversity, especially since Blacks comprise 36% of its population. A retiree should not worry about healthcare access. East Alabama Medical Center, which is right in town, is a recipient of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery Award and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery Award. With all it offers, a median home listing price of $320,900 can look like a steal.
Florence
A dainty, small town in North Alabama, Florence hosts the state's oldest public university — the University of North Alabama. Its Institute For Learning In Retirement (ILR) offers fun and relevant courses such as “How to Live Long and Well.” Every first Friday of the month, historic Downtown Florence is a party scene, complete with food, live music, and art exhibits. But this is what makes it special: Only handmade items are sold. Also, there is Wilson Park, which, besides being grassy and beautiful, often hosts a range of not-to-miss festivals, including the Alabama Renaissance Faire, named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast.
The nearby Muscle Shoals Trails is a nice venue for a hike, amid heart-melting views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam. A retiree here will also be thrilled to know that Staggs Grocery probably serves the best breakfast in Alabama. Good hospitals here include North Alabama Medical Center, which is in town, and the highly-rated Helen Keller Hospital, which is next door in Sheffield. While the town’s median age is 34, residents aged 60 and above comprise 24% of the town’s population. Florence is also an affordable venue for a retirement home. Homes here are listed for a median price of $289,900 but sold for a lower median price of just $182,500.
Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals is the next-door neighbor of Florence, Alabama. They almost share outdoor sites such as the Tennessee River and Muscle Shoals Trails, a nice venue for early-morning hikes. Gattman Park, whose trail is overshadowed by a canopy of massive native trees, is also a nice place for biking, hiking, or just walking and keeping fit. The park features a disc golf course, where a retiree will enjoy teeing away every afternoon. Because it hosts the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, this town particularly scores big on accessibility. One can hop on a plane and be whisked in minutes to places such as Boston, Chicago, and Cincinnati.
A median age of 38 means the town is vibrant and full of life. That said, residents aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the town’s population. In case of a medical emergency, there will be no need to do a day-long trip. The highly-rated Shoals Hospital is right in town. Finally, while homes are listed for a median price of $379,900, they are sold for a median price of just $230,000. There is no need to break the bank.
Fairhope
The name of this Alabama charmer can alone draw any retiree. Located on the picturesque shores of Mobile Bay, an empty nester will enjoy sumptuous waterfront views, pastel-painted bungalows, laid-back ambiance, and a delightful array of boutiques. All these combine to make Fairhope an astounding poem. Empty nesters will enjoy riding bikes along the heart-ravishing Eastern Shore Bike Trail and exploring the nearby Mobile-Tensaw Delta, one of the planet’s most ecologically diverse places. Then there is the municipal pier, Fairhope Museum of History, where one can learn about the utopian origins of the town, and Henry George Park on the Bluff, a nod to a man whose single-tax theories helped found Fairhope.
While the highly-rated Thomas Hospital is in town, Mobile is just on the other side of the water and home to a broad range of amenities. Fairhope’s median age is 45; however, seniors aged 60 and above comprise 33% of its population. Evidently, a retiree will find someone who loves The Beatles or who has recollections of the Cuban Missile Crisis. That said, Fairhope is a hot cake. Homes fetch a median listing price of $546,700 — though sold for a median price of $475,000
Rainbow City
Rainbow City also offers the best of everything. Safe and peaceful neighborhoods, an intimate feel, and a slew of recreation spots. The Coosa River provides boating and fishing adventures, while the nearby Noccalula Falls, a stunning cascade that drops 90 feet into a gorge, provides unmatched camping, sightseeing, and hiking experiences. Plus, set on a rolling terrain with tasty views of the surrounding Appalachian foothills, the 14-mile-away RTJ at Silver Lakes is the quintessential golfing venue. In case of a medical emergency, a retiree in Rainbow City can access the award-winning Riverview Regional Medical Center in less than ten minutes. Rainbow City’s median age is 41, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 25% of its population. And boasting a median home listing price of $297,000, lower than the state median, Rainbow City also scores big on affordability.
The Takeaway
To a first-time resident, Alabama will look like an implausible discovery: The spectacle of strangers waving at you, the greenery and the beautiful landscape, the mild winters, the historical sites and attractions. Plus, many towns here are quaint, charming, and safe. A pedestrian does not have to clutch her purse or keep glancing over her shoulders. Pocket-wise, Alabama is quite affordable and does not tax retirement income. That said, for the best retirement experience, consider settling in places such as Rainbow City, Fairhope, and Pelham.
