ACFI - Alabama Center for Foreign Investment

Live in Alabama

Alabama…a great place to live

Thanks to its genuine southern hospitality, Alabama is considered to be one of the top places in the nation to visit and live. In addition, the overall cost of living in Alabama is much lower than in other states and is an affordable location for those investors seeking a high quality of life in the United States.

The cost of housing in Alabama is significantly lower than the national average and the state income and property taxes are among the lowest found anywhere in the United States. According to the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), during the second quarter of 2008, the average price for a home in Alabama was $122,775 , while the U.S. average was $180,733.

There are beautiful, well-maintained, safe residential areas throughout Alabama located near natural weekend getaways for enjoyment with friends and family. In addition, Alabama features year-round golf opportunities throughout the State that includes the renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the largest public golf system in the world.

Those who consider living in Alabama will enjoy its temperate climate. The average for summer months is 82°F (27°C) and 51°F (10°C) during winter months in south Alabama.

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Education

Kindergarten through high school (K-12)

Alabama’s Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School was named the number one high school in the nation in 2005 and number two in 2006. Additionally, five other Alabama schools are listed as top high schools nationwide. Source: Newsweek, May 2005 & May 2006

Alabama provides a comprehensive and safe education system. The system encourages excellence in academics and provides extracurricular programs for children of all ages. There are several international baccalaureate schools throughout the state. Birmingham, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa all host certified Japanese Saturday Schools. Some of the safety features are:

The safe school hotline (1-888-SAV-KIDS) to report school safety anonymously 24 hours a day.
Required criminal background checks to be performed on all current teachers and educational employees having unsupervised access to children in schools.
Video cameras provided under Governor’s Private Eyes Education Program.

Source: EDPA

Alabama’s pre-kindergarten program has been named the nation’s best for the third-consecutive year. The National Institute for Early Education Research rated Alabama and North Carolina as the top programs nationally by meeting all quality standards in pre-k. ADO , May 7, 2009.

Colleges and Universities

Southern Business and Development magazine ranked the University of Alabama at Birmingham as one of the Top 10 Universities that Drive Economic Development.

Alabama has seventeen state-sponsored universities and sixteen independent colleges and universities including highly respected schools of business, accountancy, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary programs; and internationally recognized optometry, dental, agricultural, and forestry schools.

Those students choosing to live in Alabama or anywhere in the United States after receiving permanent resident status will be eligible for resident tuition costs rather than higher out-of-state rates. In addition, there are several English as a Second Language (ESL) programs throughout the state providing foreign students language tutoring services. For an interactive map of Alabama’s higher education institutions, please click here.

Forbes has recognized Mountain Brook as one of America’s top ten most educated small towns in the United States. The magazine said almost all on the list are suburbs near major universities or research centers, and the jobs--from IT in Silicon Valley to government work are anything but blue collar. February 2009.

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Health

Alabama has full-service hospitals, highly qualified health care providers, nursing homes, and community health services. Such facilities provide quality services to every region of the State.

The University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital was included in the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News & World Report, released July 13, 2007.

Sports, Entertainment, & Leisure Activites

Alabama is a top destination for golfers around the world thanks to its year-round golfing opportunities across the state.

Alabama offers a variety of getaways from sugar white sand Gulf Coast beaches to beautiful mountains. Families who enjoy the outdoors will take pleasure in visiting the various leisure, recreational, and sport options across the state.
Some of the most popular activities include:

Golf
Camping and Hiking

Hunting and Fishing
Bicycling and Boating
Cave Exploring and Climbing
Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking

Tourist Attractions across Alabama
Alabama is a state with a rich history and culture. It offers a variety of activities for everyone.

Outdoors:

Lakes and rivers
Parks and gardens
Scenery and natural wonders

History and Culture:

Buildings and structures
Educational sites and libraries
Historic sites
Museums
Sightseeing

Entertainment and amusement:

Performances
Tours
Zoos and aquariums

Other:

Educational /learning activities

Shopping

Here is a list of some of the must-see cultural and historical sites.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Birmingham Astronomical Society
U.S. Space & Rocket Center/U.S. Space Camp
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham Civil Rights museum, the nation’s finest.
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
The Civil Rights Memorial Center
The Rosa Parks Museum

Vulcan Park and State of Vulcan
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center
First White House of the Confederacy and Civil Rights Memorial
Helen Keller’s Birth place
Carver Museum
W.C Handy Home and Museum
Alabama Space and Rocket Center
Moundville Monument and Museum
Alabama Memorial Park
Birmingham Zoo and Museum of Art
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Education Center
Alabama Princess Riverboat

Martin Luther King Memorial Baptist Church
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The State Capitol
Hank Williams Museum and many more…

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

Alabama Sports Festival
Bayfest
Big Spring Jam
City Stages Music Festival
GMAC Bowl (Football)
Jubilee City Fest
Mobile Bay Jubilee
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Mardi Gras
Spirit of America Festival

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Airports

The Birmingham International Airport is home to several major and regional carriers with more than 70 departing and arriving flights daily.

The Mobile Regional Airport is located within minutes of downtown Mobile, and a convenient drive from anywhere in southwest Alabama, west Florida, and southeast Mississippi. It offers flights connecting to six major hub airports—Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Orlando, and Charlotte, providing access to domestic and international destinations throughout the world.

The Montgomery Regional Airport has recently been renovated by adding new and improved gates and facilities, including escalators, elevators, jet bridges, and flight information displays. The capital city’s airport is vital for Alabama’s Army and Air National Guard operations and it provides commercial and aviation services to several businesses and industries. The airport is the home of the 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard. Some of the national and international airlines providing their services include Delta, Northwest Airlines, US Airways Express, and Continental Express.

The Huntsville International Airport located 15 miles from downtown Huntsville, Ala., serving the Tennessee Valley region with over 85 daily flights. This airport provides quality service by major airlines that include American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Continental, United, Allegiant Air, and U.S. Airways.

Alabama communities are served by ninety-six public-use airfields across the state. Dothan, Tuscaloosa, and the Shoals also provide regional air service.

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