Moving to Alabama?
Although most people associate the festival with New Orleans in Louisiana, Alabama is actually
the southeastern state that introduced Mardi gras to the western world. Alabama is nicknamed the “Yellowhammer State”
after the bright yellow feathers of the state bird, the Northern Flicker Woodpecker. It is also called the “Cotton State”
as it lies in the cotton belt. “The Heart of Dixie” is another prominent nickname for the state due to the central role
it played during the days that preceded the Civil War. Etymologically, the word Alabama has its roots in the Choctaw
language, where it means “clearing the land for cultivation and herb gatherers.
The state was a forerunner
during the American Civil War, contributing about 120,000 soldiers. After the Civil War, the slaves of the state were
freed. This resulted in the extremist uprising in the form of Ku Klux Klan, which advocated white supremacy and nationalism
through terrorism.
From friendly southern hospitality to timeless soul food, picturesque locales, warm waters
and sandy beaches, Alabama is a place full of activities, attractions, and communities that are waiting to be explored.
If you’re moving to Alabama, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to
the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Alabama
Alabama Climate
Alabama features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters and bountiful precipitation throughout
the year. Thunderstorms and hurricanes are quite common in the state, while the latter occur along the coast,
typically causing a lot of destruction. Both these phenomena bring heavy rainfall as they travel inland and gradually
weaken. The central and northern portions of the state are susceptible to lightning associated with thunderstorms.
Tornadoes occur twice in a year in Alabama, in November and December and during spring. Dixie Alley is the name
given to describe the areas in Alabama and Mississippi that are affected by tornadoes.
Registering your Car:
Upon becoming a resident of Alabama, you have 30 days to register your vehicle
at the offices of county license plate-issuing officials in the county in which you are residing. You have to
submit your out-of-state vehicle registration, insurance forms, bill of sale, and the application of registration
along with the required fees.
Obtaining an Alabama Driver's License:
You have 30 days to obtain an Alabama driver's license after
establishing permanent residence in the state. You can exchange your valid out-of-state driver's license for
an Alabama license by passing a vision test. If you are in possession of a out-of-state license that has been
expired more than three years, then you may be required to take the written test, road skills test, and the vision
test.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Alabama was ranked 33rd out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 40 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The economy of the state is driven by agriculture, industries like iron and steel, paper, lumbar, coal
mining, aerospace and electronic products, and tourism. Agricultural products include chicken, cattle and calves, and
catfish farming and crops like cotton, corn, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons. The ever-expanding automotive
manufacturing industry has placed Alabama in fourth place in the nation. The addition of German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp
has catapulted Alabama to third in steel production, next to Indiana and Pennsylvania. Millions of tourists visit the
state annually bringing in billions of dollars of revenue.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Alabama had an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent, which is lower than the national
average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Alabama is $42,081, while the average per capita income
for the state is $22,984.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Alabama is $226,479, while the median sales price is just
over $145,000. The Alabama Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Alabama.
Major landmarks and attractions
US Space and Rocket Center; Noccaluia Falls; Birmingham Zoo; the Statue of
Liberty; Tannehill Historical State Park; Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame; Birmingham Botanical Gardens; Cheaha State
Park.
State Capital: Montgomery
Largest Cities: Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery,Hoover
Schools
The Alabama State Board of Education supervises and manages public, primary, and secondary education in Alabama through
various county school boards and city boards of education. Under the auspices of the No Child Left Behind Law,
Alabama adapted various measures and increased funding into the public education system. As part of the state’s
higher education system, the colleges and universities in Alabama offer courses that range from a two-year associate
degree to doctoral level programs. The US News and World Report in 2011 placed three Alabama universities in
the top 100 public schools in America. Some higher institutions include: the University of Alabama, Auburn University,
and Tuskegee University.
National Parks
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Russell Cave National Monument
Denali National Park and Preserve
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
State park System
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages and administers 24 state parks
present in the state. Alabama state parks, with their picturesque surroundings and natural beauty, offer a treasure
trove of activities that will pique the interest of one and all in the family. You can indulge in biking, hiking,
horseback riding, paddling, boating, swimming, fishing, nature photography, or just good old relaxing.
Major Airports
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Huntsville International Airport
Mobile Regional Airport
Dothan Regional Airport