If you ask people why they love living in Alabama, you’ll get approximately fifty gazillion different answers. That’s because there’s so much right and wonderful with the Yellowhammer State, it’s hard to name just one thing. But as you keep talking to people, a few themes start to emerge, which is how we compiled this list of 10 reasons why folks love to make Alabama their home sweet home.

According to Kim Cornett, Alabama has “all the nature – beaches, mountains, woods, plains, lakes, oceans, rivers…” And she’s right! You can have coffee while the sun rises over the Appalachians and, a few hours later, sip an ice-cold Bushwacker as it sets over the Gulf of Mexico. In between, there are piney woods, great flat plains and rolling farmlands.

And in between, there’s plenty to see! According to Wikipedia, the Cahaba River is “the longest substantially free-flowing river in Alabama and is among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the United States.” And while the river itself is beautiful, Nancy Dorman-Hickson thinks everyone should pay a visit to the West Blocton area of the Cahaba to see the Cahaba lilies. That area is one of only three places in the U.S. where Cahaba lilies grow, with Georgia and South Carolina being the others. Each year, from May to June, thousands of people flock to the rocky shoals to see these glorious white flowers, which only bloom for one day before wilting.

Verbena’s Jennifer McGinty loves what she calls Alabama’s natural soundscape. She says that when she visits family in California and Michigan, she can’t get over how very quiet it is. “My favorite part about coming home is getting out of the car for the first time and hearing all the cicadas, katydids, frogs and toads, birds, beetles and all the other lovely sounds that the animals make. Such a rich, layered cloak of sound that surrounds you. Alabama’s twilight symphony, magic with fireflies, is like no other.”

Born in Louisiana, Darlene Millender says she loves living in Birmingham because it’s steeped in history. Remlap resident Tina Mozelle Braziel echoes that sentiment adding that she appreciates how much we can still learn from it, particularly from Alabama’s key role in Civil Rights history. And Brian Cornett says, “Alabama is a tapestry of history. Places have memories that will never be forgotten.”

Amy Miller, who is from Minneapolis and now lives in Waverly, says that she loves all the underground art scenes, communities and venues across our state. Terry Hermes, who is originally from Louisiana, says that Alabama “has more arts and culture than people realize.” And it’s true! Lee Welden moved to Alabama from Indiana more than 40 years ago and says, “I love the rich music scene with authentic blues musicians, tons of Deadheads, blue grass aficionados, local rock stars and an amazing symphony orchestra. I love the incredible artists that can’t stop themselves from producing beauty for us to enjoy.” Mark Durham gives a shout-out to our world-renowned symphony orchestras and Montgomery’s Alabama Shakespeare Festival. And Braziel, a renowned poet herself, says “I love the poetry here, the Magic City Poetry Festival, the work of DISCO in Birmingham City Schools, and how much Alabama poets support one another and are speaking truth about Alabama.” Ashley M. Jones was named Poet Laureate for the state in 2022 and is the first Black Poet Laureate of Alabama and the youngest person to hold this position.

“We experience four seasons,” says Richard Jacks. And he should know! He’s a former television meteorologist, originally from Talladega. Marliese Thomas agrees and adds that ”it means something new and beautiful is always around the corner!” And Stephanie Springer Lamphere says, “Also I love that we can often swim outdoors from May to October.” That’s a big deal too, because Alabama has more than 133,000 miles of streams and 3 million acres of wetlands. And that’s not including the Gulf of Mexico.

Would any list about Alabama be complete without a mention of the food? Sure we have James Beard award winners across the state, but Alabama is also blessed with rich soil and a long growing season. Many people choose to grow their own fruits and vegetables and, for their troubles, receive a gracious plenty few other states can match. Citronelle’s Renee Wood loves Alabama not only for the farm-fresh vegetables, but for the Gulf Coast seafood too. And she makes a bold statement – Alabama has the best sweet tea. I tend to agree.

Birmingham’s Alexus Cumbie says ”Southern hospitality is a real thing. I love that people will just talk to you kindly.” Sasha Maples Johns of Columbiana agrees. “At the end of the day, the average person is going to help their neighbor.” And Amy Patterson Knowles gets right to the heart of our hospitality. “It’s the people, plain and simple,” she says. “Kind. Welcoming. Genuine. Caring. Helpful.”

Well…at least for most of the year. Jim McCluskey points out that all bets are off once football season starts.

Fort Payne’s Darlene Rotch says “I left Florida in 1977 and never looked back. I’ve had business opportunities I’d never have had in Birmingham and clients most could only dream of. After raising a family in Huntsville, she now lives “amidst waterfalls, kayaking, hiking, small town life, art and opportunity.” Janelle Sweene says she loves Alabama because she can afford to own her own home. And New Jersey native Donna Francavilla says, “Living here is easy and largely hassle-free compared with the intensity of other places. And oh, it’s green! I love being in a place with so many trees.”

Livability is also top of mind for Cassia Kessler. “I love the lower cost of living and how family-friendly Birmingham is in particular. Birmingham also offers a wealth of outdoor green spaces and walking/biking trails. I have lived in the South all of my life, and I think Birmingham is one of the more interesting cities to live in because of the varied neighborhoods with smaller ‘town centers’ – you can feel like you’re living in a smaller community, with big-city culture, arts and amenities still available to you.”

Same goes for April Benetollo, who says, “The ease of [living in Alabama]… friendly people, beautiful nature, low cost of living, good schools, the opportunity to stand out, reasonable traffic (even in the ‘Ham.) Having lived and visited many other more cosmopolitan places, I really value these things. I realize and acknowledge this is a privileged POV.”

Our state’s diversity is twofold – biodiversity and cultural diversity. First, Alabama is known as the Amazon of North America because, according to Ben Raines, the author of Saving America’s Amazon who lives in Fairhope, it has more species per square mile than any other state. Also, more species of fish, crayfish, salamanders, mussels, snails and turtles live in Alabama’s waters than any other aquatic system in North America.

Second, Alabama is very culturally diverse due in no small part to several large universities, a number of international companies that have factories, plants and offices here, and a thriving international port in Mobile. And that’s important to Fairhope’s Shelley Collins Griffin loves that diversity and says, “When we connect [as people], it’s truly beautiful.” William Craft echoes that sentiment. “I stay here because of the people. You all are a pleasure to know and a wonder to behold.”

Ricky Lovelady sums up why he loves Alabama in two words – It’s home. That goes for Midfield native Patti Hendrix Lovoy too. She says, “I love to travel but I also love to come home. As a 65-year-old who has lived in Alabama all my life, I can see how far we’ve come, and I can dream of what we can be.”

Source: 10 Reasons People Love Living in Alabama This Is Alabama (June 30th, 2023) This Is Alabama