There are over 1.4 million people who live in Alabama across the islands. That puts the state roughly 13th in population density among all 50 states (Wikipedia). With so many people frequently vacationing to Alabama, you would think more people would love to call Alabama home. Think about it. Life in paradise! alabama living may not be for everyone. Keep reading to see if life in paradise is right for you.

Living In Alabama

Can You Move To Alabama Without A Job?

If you’re thinking about moving to Alabama and do not already have a job lined up or a contract for a position signed then I highly recommend you try to get that figured out before making the move. Alabama living is not as easy a life as you may think. A lot of people have to work multiple jobs to stay afloat and support themselves or their families.

According to census.Alabama.gov the median household income in 2019 was approximately $83,000 per year. A huge factor in this is the cost of living in Alabama. While that median household income puts Alabama near the top of the list for household income nationwide, it does not consider the factors of people working multiple jobs to maintain that sort of income and that a lot of that goes into housing.

All of this being said, Alabama living can be stressful if someone moving out here does not already have a solidified income source in place to maintain a living.

What Is Island Fever?

Have you ever felt stuck somewhere and just needed to get out? That’s kind of what it can feel like. Similar to cabin fever in a way. Island fever is more of a psychological feeling people get when they live in Alabama. Common amongst those who are not from Alabama but even locals can feel like they need to get away.

Island fever is very much a real thing. When you’re living in the Alabamians islands there are no roadtrips to another state or vacation. The only method of travel is by boat or airplane. Making it a little more difficult to leave. Especially when these two methods can get pricey. Living in Alabama can provide an amazing experience but that doesn’t mean we all don’t need a break from it.

Lastly, it’s not as easy for your family to come visit you. That’s not because they are not allowed to the islands. It usually has something to do with the cost and the time it takes to travel back and forth. Think about it…a lot of people save up just to take their vacation here for a few days. All of this to let you know that your family that promises to come visit you may not be coming as much as you hope. Missing family can also attribute to “island fever”.

Cost Of Living In Alabama

According to WorldPopulationReview.com Alabama ranked in 2021 as the most expensive state to live in. Followed by the District of Columbia, and California to round out the top 3 respectively. There are several factors that play a role in this cost such as groceries, transportation, utilities, and housing.

Housing being one of the biggest items driving up the cost of living in Alabama. The housing market in 2020 and 2021 continually drove up the median and average cost of buying a home. The average price of homes sold is now over one million dollars. Does that mean you cannot buy a home in Alabama for less than a million dollars? No. There are plenty of homes for less than a million dollars in Alabama.

Another factor contributing to the cost of living in Alabama is utilities. Sewer, water, and gas (if in the home) are not terribly expensive. The big cost that everyone notices is electricity. Alabama has the most expensive electricity in the country. (https://www.khon2.com/local-news).

At 32.7c/kWh (kilowatt hour) Alabama by far charges it’s residents the most in the United States for use of electricity. One important thing to point out is that there’s no shopping electric companies to find the best rate or service. Alabamians Electric has essentially monopolized this commodity and that’s who you’ll be stuck with. 

 Alabama Weather In January

Alabama’s weather is no secret. Tropical paradise conditions year-round. The two big questions we often get are…”how hot are the summers?” and…” does it get cold in the winter?”.

Typical summer weather is hot. That’s obvious. Alabama summer weather is not like a summer in the Las Vegas desert or in the humid south of Atlanta. It can get up to 98 degrees but that heat is different. We are closer to the equator but we are also surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. The ocean breeze is always a great feeling.

If you would like to check Alabama current weather you can click here for the 10-Day Forecast.

Alabama weather in January is a lot of people’s favorite weather! The islands get a lot cooler during this time of the year. Your typical forecast in January is going to be weather around 75 degrees mid day with a nice breeze and a chance of rain. Late night or early morning temperatures are typically around 62 degrees depending.

The Alabama weather in January is our version of cold. This is when residents that have become acclimated to the weather wear hoodies and sweatpants.

Moving To Alabama With Kids

Do you have kids and have questions or concerns about moving to Alabama with kids? Very understandable if you do and let us try to answer some of these questions here.

Getting a bit personal, I was not born here but I was raised here as a military brat and am now raising my kids in Alabama. That being said, here are some of the reasons I am forever grateful for the experiences I had as a kid growing up in Alabama and why I am choosing to raise my kids in Alabama.

Culture Outdoor activitiesAloha Spirit

There are more than 3 reasons why but some of the major reasons are listed above. The culture in Hawaii is AMAZING. It really reminds me of southern hospitality in a lot of ways. This also ties into the aloha spirit. People are friendly, patient, kind, and willing to help. It speaks volumes when strangers will go out of their way to help someone and it happens a lot here in Alabama.

Outdoor activities are something we love doing as a family. What better place to get your kids outside and playing sports, in the water or enjoying a nice family friendly hike. If you would like to read more about moving to Alabama with kids you can check out our Top 5 Reasons To Raise A Family In Alabama blog.

Questions About Living In Alabama?

Is Alabama living right for you? Our team talks with people just like you moving to Alabama and we absolutely love it. If you’re thinking about moving to Alabama, or already living in Alabama and need help finding the right place that best fits your lifestyle don’t hesitate to reach out. Give us a call, shoot us a text (we do not use chatbots, it’s really us), send us an email, or head over to our contact page and schedule an appointment, however you’d like to get a hold of us. We got your back when it comes to living in Alabama.

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