Considering moving to Montgomery? Alabama’s capital city offers a job market that’s on the rise, an affordable cost of living, and an incredible variety of nightlife, restaurants, and family-friendly activities that can’t be beat. Check out these 11 things to know about living in Montgomery!
An Affordable Place to Live & Work in the South
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Why is living in Montgomery a good choice for you? For one, it’s a budget-friendly option! The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, and the cost of housing is 30% lower than the national average, with a median home price at $116,600 and median rent at $827. But affordability isn’t the only reason people want to move to this Alabama city! Montgomery’s job market has grown over the past few years as well. With large employers in the area like Hyundai Motor Manufacturing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Koch Foods, and Baptist Health System, you can find all kinds of employment opportunities in the manufacturing, agriculture, government, and healthcare industries.
Incredible Weather All Year Long
Photo via @coletteboehm
If you want to live somewhere with warm temperatures year-round, Montgomery’s weather is going to be a treat! Local residents love the area’s subtropical climate, which brings hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures typically range from 95 degrees at the height of summer to just under 60 degrees in winter, making it possible to spend the entire year enjoying all that Montgomery has to offer. But you’ll still have to deal with that well-known Southern humidity and heavy rain. In fact, Alabama is one of the wettest states in the U.S., so be prepared for some precipitation!
Top Colleges & University Close to Home
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Students in search of higher education opportunities will find them in Montgomery, as the city is home to numerous colleges and universities. Enroll at Montgomery’s only HBCU, Alabama State University, which has been ranked the 39th on the list of Top Public Schools in the South and has an excellent College of Education. Put a focus on faith and growing while attending Huntingdon College, which offers a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing students to get more individualized attention. Or head back to school to get a master’s degree in Biblical Studies, Business Administration, or Speech Pathology atFaulkner University!
Head Down to the Riverfront
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Situated along the Alabama River, Montgomery Riverfront Park is filled with fun things to do for everyone! Make the most of summer nights over at Riverwalk Stadium, where you can watch a ballgame featuring the Montgomery Biscuits (MiLB), the Tampa Bay Rays’ AA affiliate. Take a relaxing riverboat cruise with friends on the Harriott II. Grab a spot on the grass to watch a show or listen to a local band play at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Take the kids to the Riverfront Splashpad to cool down on a hot day. Or put a team together for the annual Baptist Health Capital of Dream Triathlon, which kicks off at the Riverfront and ends inside Riverwalk Stadium!
Take a Walk Through Civil Rights History
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Montgomery played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement, which you can learn about from the city’s many museums and historical landmarks. Visit the Freedom Rides Museum housed in the original Greyhound bus station where riders trying to desegregate interstate busing arrived from Birmingham in 1961. Go sit in the pews at First Baptist Church on Ripley Street, where the Freedom Riders sought refuge after arriving in Montgomery. Discover the history of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and sit in a restored bus from 1955 at the Rosa Parks Museum. Tour the Dexter Parsonage Museum, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived while he was the pastor at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Spend some time remembering those who fought for freedom at the Civil Rights Memorial, where the names of those who died have been etched forever in stone. Or check out the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace & Justice, which are both committed to acknowledging the legacy of racial tensions that shaped America.
A Love for the Arts Can’t Be Missed
Photo via @montgomerymfa
Alabama’s capital city has a deep appreciation for the arts. Head over to the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, where you can tour the Fitzgerald’s home, spend a night in Zelda or Scott’s suite, and celebrate the holidays at the annual Christmas Open House held on the grounds. Learn more about the father of contemporary country music at the Hank Williams Museum, where you can look through old photos, listen to Williams’ music, and check out his 1952 Baby Blue Cadillac. Spend a day viewing the collections of Old Master Prints or the Art of Africa for free at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. See touring comedians like Bert Kreischer and musical acts like The Blue Man Group perform at Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Support the Montgomery Ballet at their annual Mardi Gras celebration or Year-End Recital, where the school’s students showcase the choreography they’ve been working on. Or make your way to Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where you can experience everything from Shakespearean plays to contemporary productions.
Experience Montgomery’s Outdoors
Photo via @cokomone
One of the best things about Montgomery is the vast amount of green space and trails that are easy to access! Walk throughBlount Cultural Park, which features a dog park, open green space, a pond, and more. Bring your dog to the Hannah Daye Ridling Bark Park to work off some energy and socialize with other four-legged pals. Test your green thumb and see how you handle chicken farming at EAT South, Montgomery’s own urban teaching farm. Play nine holes at the golf course, hit the playground with the kids, or take a hike along the trails at Gateway Park. Go for a run or bike throughout the 432 acres that cover Lagoon Park Trail. Or take the whole family to Oak Park, where you can set up a picnic, check out the planetarium, play horseshoes, and more!
Check Out the Family-Friendly Activities
Photo via @ronmaff
Parents and kids will love exploring the great family-friendly attractions in Montgomery! Make your way through North America, Africa, and Australia while seeing different animal species at Montgomery Zoo. Look up to the stars inside the W.A. Gayle Planetarium, where the whole family learn about the beauty of the cosmos. Visit the Museum of Alabama for free to discover more about the great state of Alabama and its rich history. Take a step back in time by visiting Old Alabama Town, which is filled with authentic 19th and 20th-century homes, buildings, and activities to teach you about how Alabama residents lived back in the day. Or get to know more about Alabama’s beef cattle industry over at The MOOseum!
Take Part in the City’s Annual Festivals
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When you live in Montgomery, you’ll find a variety of community events that fit your tastes! Let your imagination run wild at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts’ Flimp Festival, where you can participate in hands-on art, listen to live music, and much more. Taste Alabama’s best craft beers—like those from Avondale Brewing, Cahaba Brewing, and more—at the Alabama Beer Ballot. Celebrate the anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery March by taking part in the annual Selma-to-Montgomery Bike Ride. Watch bull riding and mutton busting or check out the stock show at the SLE Rodeo. Do some early holiday shopping and attend a silent auction during the three-day long Holiday Market. Or show off your skills and prove you’re one of Alabama’s best athletes during the Alabama State Games!
Enjoy a Night on the Town
Photo via @commonbondbrewers
Whether you love spending time with friends, trying new beers, or listening to live music, Montgomery’s nightlife scene has something for everyone! Test your puzzle and code-breaking skills inside one of the immersive escape rooms at Escapology. Support local brewers and quench your thirst with a Ramber or Scottish Ale from Common Bond Brewers while playing yard games outside. Stop in for happy hour and pair a G’Man Pretzel Pizza with a delicious German beer from Goat Haus Biergarten. Sit outside while sipping on a craft cocktail like The Ginblossom or The Copywriter at The Gin. Saddle up to the bar and pick from 18 draft options at Leroy Lounge. Or head over to 1048 Jazz & Blues to hear everything from funk and reggae to jazz and blues every night of the year!
Expand Your Palate
Photo via @solrestaurante
One of the best things about living in Montgomery is all of the incredible food you can experience! Grab one of Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs from Chris’ Hot Dog Stand, which has served everyone from famous musicians like Elvis Presley to public figures like President Franklin D. Roosevelt since 1917. Order Shrimp & Grits or Smoked Beef Short Rib at one of Montgomery’s best restaurants, Central. Make your way to Capitol Oyster Bar for fresh oysters and delicious seafood. Enjoy the tastes of Central America at Sol Restaurante, where you can try dishes like the Pollo Asada and Molcajete Mexicano. Get some Southern comfort with fried chicken, fried catfish, oxtail, and more at Mrs B’s Home Cooking. Or treat yourself to some of Alabama’s best barbecue at Dreamland BBQ!
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