Heres the thing about grading retirement towns its totally subjective.
I know because Ive dug into this stuff.
Thatd be a whole different ballgame.
Home Stratosphere
Ive lined them up alphabetically across seven criteria because thats the easiest way to check them out.
Auburn
IMO, Auburns a goldmine for retirees who want to keep their minds sharp.
College towns have that effect.
The cool thing about Auburn University is its like having an endless entertainment ticket.
Youve got sports, shows, lectures you name it.
Plenty of folks I know love hitting up Chewacla State Park for hiking.
Were looking at nearly 140% growth in just ten years.
Thats wild even for this market.
Sure makes those 2014 buyers look smart now.
Mortgage payment details:
Where is it on the map?
Fairhope
Let me tell you about Fairhope its that picture-perfect coastal town you see in magazines.
Homes run around $465,000, and getting a mortgage isnt exactly pocket change.
But heres whats wild: the views of Mobile Bay alone make most homeowners forget about the price tag.
Got plenty of that too.
Ive lost count how many art galleries are packed into this place.
Their Arts & Crafts Festival is no joke its the real deal.
The pier and beach access are game-changers.
Youre just 40 minutes from Mobiles airport, which is pretty sweet for a coastal paradise.
Median Home Price History for Fairhope
Fairhopes basically doubled in value over ten years.
That coastal living premium just keeps climbing.
The last five years alone saw nearly 50% growth pretty typical for these premium coastal spots.
Fairhopes that picture-perfect spot on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, about 30 minutes from Mobile itself.
Its basically the crown jewel of Alabamas Gulf Coast communities if youre not counting the actual beach towns.
Florence
If youre watching your wallet, Florence might be your spot.
Talk about mortgage affordability were looking at median prices around $210,000.
Thats practically a steal these days.
The North Alabama Medical Center handles all your healthcare needs, and they do a solid job of it.
Heres something cool the University of North Alabama keeps pumping out concerts and lectures all year round.
If youre into fishing or boating, the Tennessee Rivers right there waiting for you.
Median Home Price History for Florence
Florence has kept things relatively sane compared to some other spots.
Still saw decent growth but nothing crazy like Auburn.
Thats probably why it still hits that sweet spot for mortgage affordability.
Gulf Shores
Want to wake up to beach views every morning?
Thats Gulf Shores for you.
Fair warning though those views come at a price.
Were talking $455,000 median home prices, so your mortgage payments wont be small.
Youre never bored here.
Pensacolas airport is just an hour away, and you might reach decent medical care in about 30 minutes.
Nearly doubled in ten years.
Those beach views arent getting any cheaper, folks.
Plus, that Huntsville Hospital System?
Everythings close by the airport, medical facilities, you name it.
Its like they planned it that way (because they did).
Median Home Price History for Huntsville
Huntsvilles tech boom shows up clear as day in these numbers.
That 51% jump in just five years?
Thats what happens when big tech moves in.
Still way more affordable than similar tech hubs though.
Its the biggest metro area in North Alabama, and heres the kicker youre closer to Nashville than Birmingham.
Madison
Heres whats cool about Madison its like they designed it specifically for people who want a peaceful retirement.
Youre looking at about $390,000 for a home loan here, which isnt cheap but isnt outrageous either.
All of Huntsvilles medical facilities are right there when you need them.
The Farmers Market is the real deal, and Dublin Parks got enough walking trails to keep you moving.
Youre 15 minutes from Huntsvilles airport, and healthcares just around the corner.
Its pretty much perfect if you dont mind paying a bit extra for that planned community feel.
Looks like being next door to a tech boom has its perks.
Still, those 2014 prices sure look nice right about now.
Madisons basically Huntsvilles next-door neighbor, sitting right on its western edge.
Were talking $915,000 median home prices, so that home loan better be solid.
The Botanical Gardens are right there, and the shopping?
Jemison Parks got these gorgeous walking trails that make you forget youre in a city.
Everythings close 15 minutes to the airport, top doctors nearby.
Its expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for.
Median Home Price History for Mountain Brook
Even started expensive and still grew 65%.
No mortgage affordability stories here, folks.
Mountain Brook is Birminghams fancy neighbor, literally right next door on the citys southeast side.
Its what real estate folks call an over-the-mountain community, which is basically code for bring your wallet.
Prattville
Want the best of both worlds?
Prattvilles got that small-town charm but with all the modern stuff you need.
And talk about mortgage affordability were looking at $245,000 median prices.
Thats pretty sweet if you ask me.
Baptist Medical Center handles the healthcare side of things, and they do it well.
Montgomerys airport is just 30 minutes away, and youve got good medical care right in town.
Median Home Price History for Prattville
Prattvilles kept it steady no crazy spikes here.
Thats probably why its still one of the more reasonable spots for homebuyers in the state.
Solid growth without the sticker shock.
Prattville sits just northwest of Montgomery close enough to commute but far enough to dodge the city chaos.
Tuscaloosa
If youre a fan of college football (Roll Tide!
), Tuscaloosas got your name on it.
And check this out mortgage affordability is actually pretty decent with median prices around $215,000.
DCH Regional Medical Centers got your back on the health front, and they know what theyre doing.
Lake Tuscaloosas right there when you want to get on the water.
Median Home Price History for Tuscaloosa
Roll Tide and steady prices Tuscaloosas kept things pretty manageable.
That 55% ten-year growth is actually the lowest on our list.
Good news if youre looking for reasonable home loan territory.
Home to the Crimson Tide and about 100,000 people who probably say Roll Tide at least once a day.
Not gonna sugarcoat it: median prices at $516,000 mean homeownership here isnt cheap.
Theyve got this killer library they call the Library in the Forest sounds made up but its totally real.
And if youre into hiking, their nature park is legit.
Twenty minutes to the airport isnt too shabby either.
Median Home Price History for Vestavia Hills
Started premium, stayed premium.
Vestavia Hills shows what happens when you take already-expensive homes and add 67% growth.
That half-million median price tag isnt for the faint of heart.
Another one of Birminghams over-the-mountain suburbs, Vestavia Hills sprawls along the citys south side.
