8 Budget-Friendly Towns in Alabama for Retirees
After spending most of your life working to build a life for your family, you want to make the most of your retirement. Not only do you want to find a place to settle where you can enjoy a slower pace of living, but you want your retirement dollars to stretch as far as they can. Several towns in Alabama offer stress-free and tranquil scenery while also giving retirees a lot of respect and hospitality.
Fairhope
Years of vacations to Fairhope may lead people to move there when they retire. All those memories of picture-perfect sunsets and the draw of coastal living can be alluring. The town is full of history and has a vibrant community for artists and art lovers. A low crime rate and a mild climate may be the tipping point for some people still on the fence. The average price of a home in Fairhope is around $475,000, which is well below coastal homes in other parts of the country.
Several places around Fairhope have things to do that seniors will enjoy. The Fairhope Museum of History will make you an expert in the history of your new home. The Eastern Shore Art Center helps to promote local artists and provides workshops to those aspiring to create. There is also a lot of coastal scenery to enjoy, both on the beach or at the Fairhope Pier.
Enterprise
If you like warm weather, you will feel right at home in Enterprise. Being in southern Alabama, you will enjoy escaping the cold of the north while being a short drive from the beach in the summer. Enterprise has a unique agricultural history, and residents credit a boll weevil infestation in the 20th century for forcing them to switch from cotton farming to growing peanuts. It changed the economics in the area. You will have plenty of time to learn all about it with the many museums and monuments in the area.
The housing market in Enterprise starts at $310,000, making it very attractive to many retirees who want to stretch their funds as far as possible. There are plenty of things for seniors to do in and around Enterprise. The Enterprise Civic Center has a variety of pageants, receptions, and social functions scheduled all year. There are also activities at Johnny Henderson Park, such as walking trails, a disc golf course, and even a park to take your pooch!
Prattville
Once you see Prattville, you will realize it is just what you expect to see in a southern small town. This town was built around the cotton industry and is still evident today. The Daniel Pratt Cotton Gin was once one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the South. It provided materials from which cotton gins across the country were built. Today, it is a historical site, and several warehouses were converted to luxury condominiums. The downtown area is built along the west side of Autauga Creek and is home to many small boutiques, restaurants, and other shops that are housed in some of the red brick buildings that still exist.
Retirees find the cost of living in Prattville to be very affordable, with an average home cost of $334,000. Nature lovers will find plenty to do in Prattville, with a choice of walking trails and natural scenery. The Bamboo Forest on Upper Kingston Road was once a training ground for soldiers heading to serve their country in the Vietnam War. Today, acres of dense bamboo surround a beautiful walking trail, giving residents a unique look at plant life that does not grow in other parts of the south.
Foley
John B. Foley traveled by train to this quaint area just outside of Gulf Shores in 1901. He liked what he saw so much that he purchased 50,000 acres. The town that emerged from that purchase may have the same effect on you. Retirees who migrate to this city near the coast love the slow pace of life, the history they find around every corner, and the amenities designed to cater to their needs. Shopping, golfing, fishing, and eating will be part of your daily schedule.
If you enjoy the outdoors, you will find plenty to do in Foley. The Foley Railroad Museum will give you a rich insight into the history that built many of the towns in this part of the country. The Graham Creek Nature Preserve offers beautiful scenery for your evening stroll. If you have grandchildren, they will enjoy the OWA resort, where you will find concerts, video arcades, and rides. The average home cost is a little higher than some others on our list at around $311,000. However, that is much lower than homes in other parts of the country that are this close to the ocean.
Cullman
As a retiree, you are looking for an affordable place to settle with plenty of activities to keep you busy. You will find all of that in Cullman. The town is teeming with culture brought over from Germany. Nothing will display that more than the Ave Maria Grotto. This 4-acre park is on the grounds of the St. Bernard Abbey and boasts a walkway filled with miniature replicas of buildings from all over the world.
If you like festivals, you will enjoy the way Cullman celebrates Oktoberfest. The German culture will be out in force during this annual event in Cullman’s historic downtown area. The cost of living in the area is comparable to other communities in the northern part of Alabama. An average home cost is about $347,000.
Athens
The area surrounding Athens is vibrant, and retiring there will mean plenty to keep you active for a long time. The Swan Creek Greenway will give you plenty of opportunities to hike and view beautiful scenery. There is also nearby access to the Tennessee River, so you can spend your retirement years boating and fishing all you want.
Athens is considered one of the safest cities in Alabama, and the low crime rate is a powerful draw for people looking to relocate after retirement. In addition, Limestone County boasts lower property taxes than much of the state, wonderful schools, and plenty of top-of-the-line medical facilities. The average home sells for about $390,000.
Daphne
You may be surprised to find that Alabama has so many coastal communities. However, Daphne is another haven from the fast-paced way of life that most are accustomed to. Retirees love that Daphne offers excellent healthcare facilities, and the cost of living is low compared to the other towns near the ocean, with an average home selling for about $328,000.
While Daphne does have an influx of visitors most of the year, you will find plenty of things for residents to do that do not involve visiting the tourist-filled areas. Bayfront Park has a wonderful view of Mobile Bay with beautiful walking trails. If you are lucky, you may get to experience a jubilee when blue crabs, shrimp, and fish swim right into the shallow water along the shore, making them ripe for the picking.
Florence
Being close to the University of North Alabama offers a unique opportunity to retirees who choose this northern corner of the state. They get to experience a small-town way of life while having access to a community built around culture, music, and theatre. The influx of students and faculty in the area also leads to access to better healthcare facilities. Many find the cost of living to be affordable, with homes at around $330,000.
Retirees in Florence enjoy visiting the W.C. Handy Museum and Library, where they learn all about the “Father of the Blues” and experience his rich catalog of music. You will also enjoy the Shoals Community Theatre, where you will see live stage plays and classic movies.
When you retire, your budget will become more important than ever. Small towns in Alabama cater to people looking for a peaceful and affordable lifestyle. Fairhope and Daphne offer coastal charm that is in short supply in the South, while towns like Florence and Cullman offer a rich sense of culture. All these towns have different things to offer, but they are similar in that they are low in crime but high in the vibrant culture and beauty you may be looking for. All of these towns are worth looking into when you are searching for a peaceful place to spend your golden years.
