[cb2008]

Our son and Dil live in Tuscaloosa and have secure careers. They just had a baby. Our other child and grands live in the West coast. We are in our 70’s and like where we live, harsh winters and all.
I like Tuscaloosa, what I have seen of it. We have visited a few times before. We rented an apartment for 2 weeks in order to visit the little guy and I am quite attracted to this place - the weather is balmy right now, love the river walk, the greenery and woods and river, small but nice down town, the campus area, the library over there. There are a few bird clubs that i may join, they seem quite laid back. I am hoping the university will have some cultural activities, lectures etc that we can attend. Maybe a book club.
My daughter thinks it is a very bad idea, she wishes we would all just move to the west coast. My Dil is like me, she can be happy in any place. My son worries we may regret moving from a nice town we have lived in for a long time, a nice house, to an apartment like the one we have rented. It is the Rivermont, if you are familiar with the area. It seems well maintained, the apartment is basic but great windows looking out into the woods.
I think if we rent an apartment here to begin with, and decide we need more space, a small house, we can easily do that. We will of course majorly downsize.
I am worried about what I will miss if we move from where we live. We have a great senior center and a library which are very active, with fitness classes and opportunities for volunteering, and cultural activities. An active socially engaged community. We make use of everything they offer. Although we live near a great city, our visits into the city have become rare ever since Covid. I dont miss it all that much, but do like having the opportunity if we wish to.
I am looking for collective wisdom and perspectives from the forum. Give it to me, Alabama! If anyone moved here for reasons such as ours, please share your experience.
Thank you.

[Lillie767]

Posting on the Alabama board will give you the Alabama view.

If you post on the Retirement board, you will get opinions about moving closer to children and grandchildren. A different perspective that is independent of the location. There will be valuable insight about the "moving to be near grandchildren" syndrome.

[MinivanDriver]

Tuscaloosa will have some cool things going on. It's a university town, after all.



Another place to look is the Southside of Birmingham and the suburbs to its immediate south. It's an easy drive to Tuscaloosa with a lot of additional amenities.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

Tuscaloosa will have some cool things going on. It's a university town, after all.



Another place to look is the Southside of Birmingham and the suburbs to its immediate south. It's an easy drive to Tuscaloosa with a lot of additional amenities.

I have considered it. Birmingham also has a university campus. also the airport. Any particular residential areas you can suggest?

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by cb2008

I have considered it. Birmingham also has a university campus. also the airport. Any particular residential areas you can suggest?

A lot depends on what your housing needs are and what you can afford. The Forest Park area of Birmingham is pretty graceful and near a lot of amenities, not to mention a quick hop to the airport. There's also the Homewood and Mountain Brook sections as well. My best suggestion to you is to drive around with Zillow loaded on your phone to see what passes the sniff test.



You'll also find a boat load of great restaurants and cultural offerings. Birmingham punches above its weight in both departments.



The other thing to consider is healthcare. If you and your spouse are retirees, there's a lot more in terms of healthcare options in Birmingham. In fact, the healthcare community in Birmingham is superb.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

A lot depends on what your housing needs are and what you can afford. The Forest Park area of Birmingham is pretty graceful and near a lot of amenities, not to mention a quick hop to the airport. There's also the Homewood and Mountain Brook sections as well. My best suggestion to you is to drive around with Zillow loaded on your phone to see what passes the sniff test.



You'll also find a boat load of great restaurants and cultural offerings. Birmingham punches above its weight in both departments.



The other thing to consider is healthcare. If you and your spouse are retirees, there's a lot more in terms of healthcare options in Birmingham. In fact, the healthcare community in Birmingham is superb.

Good information, Thanks.

[Rick In Madison]

I think both Lillie767 and MinivanDriver have excellent advice.
I do not meet the qualifications to make an informed decision at this time; maybe one day.

Perhaps you may be able to benefit from the best of both worlds. If and I know it could be a Big IF... If you can afford a small house or condo in the Tuscaloosa area then you can use it when it is not college football season when I suspect the town may be a little too crazy for you. During the football season, you could rent the house or condo through VRBO or Airbnb; maybe make enough to carry half the year's mortgage. Spend the remainder of the time in month long or better increments with the kids in Tuscaloosa. Just a thought.

[Jack Apple]

When you posted NE did you mean Nebraska? Or New England? Or the Northeast in general? Not that I guess it really matters; ain't none of 'em AL. lol

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by Jack Apple

When you posted NE did you mean Nebraska? Or New England? Or the Northeast in general? Not that I guess it really matters; ain't none of 'em AL. lol

New England in the NorthEast

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by Rick In Madison

I think both Lillie767 and MinivanDriver have excellent advice.
I do not meet the qualifications to make an informed decision at this time; maybe one day.

Perhaps you may be able to benefit from the best of both worlds. If and I know it could be a Big IF... If you can afford a small house or condo in the Tuscaloosa area then you can use it when it is not college football season when I suspect the town may be a little too crazy for you. During the football season, you could rent the house or condo through VRBO or Airbnb; maybe make enough to carry half the year's mortgage. Spend the remainder of the time in month long or better increments with the kids in Tuscaloosa. Just a thought.

Thank you, a very good one. What I am aiming to do is completely relieve myself of maintenance and home ownership. One reason apartment living is appealing. Perhaps I need to learn the ins and outs of how Air BnB works as an owner. Very tempting though. We saw some very nice condo developments and also small houses with HOA which were well maintained. Perhaps I should ask my daughter and SIL to invest with me. She is fearless unlike me . She and her husband are into investments and they can handle the details.Alabama though may not be hot investment property. But who knows. I hear it is the new Florida for retirees.