Southern Living says this Alabama city is one of the best places to retire
If you’re planning to retire and relocate to a new city, you may want to consider Huntsville. The Rocket City is one of the best places to retire in the South, according to a new list from Southern Living.
The publication collaborated with its sister brand Investopedia to compile a rundown of the “South’s Best Places to Retire.”
The list, which published today, named 12 cities across the region that “offer excellent quality of life and make sense financially.” The cities and towns chosen for the rundown were selected from 41 cities and towns on Southern Living’s The South’s Best 2023 series.
The publications narrowed down the final list according to how each city or town compared to the rest of the nation based on a variety of financial and lifestyle criteria including home and rental affordability, average resident age, unemployment, best industries for jobs and wages, and abundance of restaurants, hospitals, and colleges. Then, each city was assigned a category, including healthy living, food, and access to arts and culture, and nature. Southern Living and Investopedia named Huntsville the “Best for Affordability.”
In the blurb about one of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities, the publications took into account Huntsville’s role in the aerospace industry (including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Adult Space Academy) and its blooming food scene.
“For years, the rocket industry was Huntsville’s draw— now there’s more to this city that recently became Alabama’s largest in population. With a low unemployment rate—less than the national average—Huntsville rings with vibrancy. By the end of the year, 44 miles of greenways and trails will add to the existing 73 miles,” wrote the publication. “The Huntsville City Football Club just concluded its inaugural soccer season (the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Huntsville Havoc also fill stands with baseball and hockey fans, respectively). The Intuitive Planetarium, at 8K resolution, is one of the South’s best.”
For arts and culture, Southern Living suggested visiting the Von Braun Center and the Huntsville Museum of Art. For nature, the Purdy Butterfly House at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Southern Living seems to have an affinity for North Alabama — at least when it comes to winding down from the workforce. Last year, the publication named Florence on its list of “The Best Places For A Dreamy Retirement in the South,” citing the city’s favorable tax rate and entertainment options, including its rich music history.
Other cities on the list include Chattanooga, Tennessee; Abingdon, Virginia; Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and Savannah, Georgia.
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Southern Living names Birmingham spot among South’s best new restaurants