Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Where to live

I’ve still got several years (about 8 if I can hang on that long) before I retire. The wife and I are interested in moving to two different areas of the state and wanted the opinion of those that live there, or the surrounding area. #1) Auburn/Opelika- I knows it’s growing and it doesn’t have to be those exact areas. The second is the Foley area. Give me the good and the bad as well as any other suggestions you may have. Thanks

FOLEY = TOURISTS = TRAFFIC

Both areas have way too much traffic for me but if i had to pick it would be the outskirts of the opelika area

Opelika. You won’t be down here fishing all the time. Just kidding, come on down and I’ll take you out in the boat.

Don’t have any experience living around Auburn but as previously mentioned the foley area has grown considerably. Too many people is an understatement. There is a lot to do and if you are into saltwater fishing it may be a good choice for you.

Hawaii? Oh you said Alabama...

Baldwin county real estate is pricey. You get a lot more wind from a hurricane and Foley is below I-10 which will show on homeowner insurance. And yes, it is crowded with the beach traffic.

If I were moving I would consider things like:
1) Nearest hospital (quality, distance)
2) Real Estate (price, resale, etc)
3) Location for my interests (fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, going to beach, airport, etc)
4) Grandkids/family - Want to be near grandkids/family if you have any
5) Friends, hunting camp, etc

I am in the same boat. 58, plan on my wife retiring in ~5 year, me in ~7-8yrs.

I hear that Estill Fork is nice all year

The place you've got is so nice, I'd have thought you'd lock down there. Can't imagine why you wouldn't.

No advice on where you should pick, but if i ever move again, it will be to wyoming! Idaho, and south dakota wouldn't be out of the question either.

Yeah, but only during spring break and high season. Which works out to be about 3 months out of the year. Other times of the year it's like a ghost town for locals. Most places, if they know you are local, treat you very well.

The plusses I've found in living down here for the last 8 months is that there are lots of amenities like plenty of: doctors, restaurants, places to buy the stuff you need, recreation opportunities, older retired people you can hang out with, and just generally lots of stuff to do.

It sounds counter intuitive, but Boho and I live a healthier lifestyle that we ever did up on the mountain. For good or bad, this place has turned into our home down here and the mountain house has turned into our vacation home. We love it in both places, but day to day living is just easier down here and we live healthier with the nice gym, plenty of places to walk and ride our bikes, etc...

If we didn't have the mountain house to escape to, I might feel different, but it's been really nice having the best of both worlds and be able to choose depending on how you feel that week.

I couldn't imagine retiring to Auburn/Opelika area, but then again, I've never lived there, so I don't know much about the place. I think I would rather buy some land in Jackson, Dekalb or Cherokee Counties. It's pretty rural and you would have to travel to Rome, Chattanooga or Huntsville for a decent hospital, but the living up there in the mountains is nice, cool weather, and very budget friendly.

I worked hurricanes for 34 years. My advice is stay far away from the coast unless you’re perfectly comfortable losing everything you own. Not if, but when.

This is one reason I hate living down here.

I believe there is a lot of moving (& considering moving) in this age group. Irish and I were holding onto funds for when we found some cool small town with amenities, preferably walkable downtown type vibe with breweries, wineries, great restaurants, etc... that we have always enjoyed visiting. We have friends in Clarksville, GA that built a house there and it's cute and the downtown area is cute and there's just great scenery, wineries, all over that area... that was a pattern we thought we might be going for. But somehow this whole beach thing came to fruition and we love it! We love our place but the community, routine, restaurants, easy access to stores, etc... that is a bonus. Another bonus, our oldest daughter and all grands are within an hour and a half. We did not move here for that though because guess what? Those kids will move, too! What would we do, chase them around the state/country to be close to them as we age?

Foley is getting a BJ's, btw, if that helps ya ;-) If Foley attracts y'all, I'd consider other areas around here as well, Gulf Shores or Fairhope (or even Magnolia Springs). Gulf Shores has a lovely residential community outside of the beach area. Come down, stay, ride around, get on zillow and do some research.

I agree with everything Irish said, of course! We have managed to be blessed with the best of both worlds. The mountain house and that area are very budget friendly but it's a food desert and pretty much very low on shopping and amenities and things to do. You have to go elsewhere for just about anything outside of squallmart. He says budget friendly but that means you can get much more land for your money but it's still going to shock you.

I have lived on the Gulf Coast, not Foley, but loved it. I still miss it. I currently live in Auburn. It has been a great area for us. The schools are great for people with children. There is enough to do around here to keep from getting bored. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. I think my favorite thing is that the city is kept clean. The City of Auburn does a good job maintaining public areas. I feel safe in Auburn for the most part. If you ever have any questions, feel free to message me.

I lived down there for several years. Worked all over Baldwin County but mainly I10 to the gulf. If you want to be close but not to close look at Elberta, Lillian down to Jospehine. If you dont mind being in the middle of city and traffic Foley is fine. You don't have to stay on 59. Multiple ways with parallel roads. Its like anywhere else that is a tourist area. Learn the bottlenecks and busy times of year.

Shhhhhhh.

^^^this^^^

still can be on the water in 10 minutes

If you like the beach and saltwater fishing the Baldwin county but I wouldn’t pick Foley as the place I wanted to be,If you don’t like the beach and water then Auburn area for sure,much nicer than foley