Moving to Alabama | What is living in Alabama Like? 

I get that. I am from Washington state and for years we have had A LOT of people (especially Californians) who have moved to the area I grew up. Things have changed exponentially. I think other people, don't always appreciate what it takes to make an area unique and those of us out west are definitely different than you guys there. I hope you have a great day!

I think they treat u different when your not from there tbh I’m from Alabama but raised in Boston I have a northern accent n can say I had the same experience but family members I have there carry guns when going into racist towns

@@jasminhalloway6161 I was raised in the Boston area as well! I also lived in Virginia back in the late 80s and was called a "Honky" and a "Cracker" by a black coworker. I really didn't understand why she called me that because I had never experienced racism before. When we moved to Alabama I was expecting the same. It never happened here. The folks I have met here over the past 28 years have been very accepting of one another. I love getting to know people who are different than I am. I want to get to know who an why they are who they are. Our differences are what I am personally attracted to and embrace. We are interesting individuals with fascinating stories to tell. Share your stories and enjoy one another"s company.

@@jasminhalloway6161 do they also carry guns in racist areas of boston? and don't try to say they are none

⁠being born and raised Northwest Alabama!! To me Alabama means family! So…I guess I’m biased. Sweet home.

What are your thoughts on a young family moving to Anniston? The homes there are so beautiful.

@@leisbookoflife1749, it’s been a while since I have been to Anniston, it’s about 100 miles from me. I do know it’s about halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta just off interstate 20. It’s relatively close to Cheaha state park, which is a beautiful area. If you are into the outdoor life, I would say it would be perfect. I’m not sure about jobs or home prices in the area tho. Sorry about that.

@@melissasmith5606 Thank you for your insight. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Melissa, that is awesome to hear! You are right, when I have driven through the south there are Churches EVERYWHERE. I grew up in a bigger church and I've always thought it is cool to have community churches like you do in the south. Thank you so much for haring!

Man, there is nothing like growing up on land! I don't have any kids, but I have always felt like if I do, I'd want them to have that exact nostalgia you are describing. Especially, since now kids just bury their heads in screens. Have a great day and thanks for sharing!

Hey! Thanks for sharing! I’m curious to know if you have encountered or regularly encountered racism in that area. People like myself who have spent very limited time in Alabama don’t get to hear a lot of details from people from firsthand experience. What has your experience been?

Honestly the Birmingham Metro area is pretty diverse. Me personally or my family haven't experience any at all and I been here over a year. Honestly people that's not from the state or never been be the ones making videos or talking on how bad the state is because of hear say. It was like that growing up in Mississippi but Mississippi is a lot worse. But I move from Texas and let me tell you, I seen more racism there the 4 years I was there then I have witness in Alabama. You would think it would be the other way around but nope. So far I been loving it here and Alabama has been treating me and my family good. It's also very beautiful and a lot of outdoorsy stuff I love to do I enjoy. @@BrothaontheGo

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond! I had some family move to Rural Tennessee recently. I have heard from people how bad it was. When I went to there small town people were inviting us to their church, welcoming us to the community, and even giving us their phone number. The cops were funny and friendly and I was completely blown away. It really opened my eyes to the fact that some people love to voice opinions about things they know nothing about. I am sure there are lots of examples of people who have bad experiences too. So, I really appreciate the fact you took time to share your experience there. Take care!

Hi, I’m considering to move to Hoover. However I heard that Birmingham has high crime rates, so based on your experience, would you recommend the city for a family with two young children? Thanks.

I get that. I haven't spent enough time in Alabama, but I have friends and family in the Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, etc. They all like it better in the areas they live than when they lived out west. I about lost it, when I saw a fast food worker sprinted to open the door for my father when he went to use the bathroom in rural Tennessee. I have personally been treated well everywhere, but Southern hospitality is a real thing. Thanks for sharing!

I don’t know where you are from, but if you live almost anywhere outside of the south they paint many who live there as poor, ignorant, and racist. I don’t believe I did that and I did also acknowledge that I am likely to be biased about the state, but wanted to allow people to share their experience too. I didn’t make assumptions that everyone was racist or that everything is magically better. I think that is a responsible way to address the way that Alabama is portrayed if I can’t personally address something. We all know what the history of the area was and how the media still portrays it today. Bringing up the reputation of the state when people are looking at moving somewhere is kind of a big deal. Let’s address a few of your points. Crime is a big deal when someone is looking to move somewhere, so I do have to address crime data. I believe that if you are someone who commits a crime, regardless of your skin color you should be held accountable. If you are black and commit a crime you should be held accountable. I don’t think anything that I said contradicts that. Black on black crime is a huge problem in our country as well and we do need to do better. I NEVER denied that. But, that doesn’t mean that racism just magically disappeared either. So, having questions about that is also fair. Your comment about, “Oh but you bring up racism and ponder if it still lives in AL...why would it not if the people know it's the black population committing the majority of crime, how could they not dislike them?” is frankly short sided. For HUNDREDS of years, black people were kidnapped, sold, and enslaved. Using your logic, when exactly should black people forgive white people for the individual and systemic crimes committed against them? I am not using systemic to describe the modern condition either. So, let me be specific. Slavery being legal is obvious legalized oppression. After slavery was abolished, Mississippi codes, voter intimidation, and Jim Crow rules dominated for decades to eliminate the rights we had. Was that when racism vanished? After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did it vanish? My own father came across signs that said no coloreds or whites only in the 1970s in Texas on a family road trip. They were denied the same rights. Using your logic, when should we have forgiven white people? I LOVE my country, we are not perfect. We have made amazing progress and that makes me proud! That doesn’t mean it’s perfect. To question something is not to accuse. I hope this comment section is a place where people are respectful and able to share their real experiences. The difference between you and I is simple, I don’t personally hold a white person, for example, accountable for other white people (whether we are talking about historical or current people). If you are a good person, I will respect you and we will get along. You see black people monolithically, while likely asking to be treated on your individual merit. That is hypocrisy. You say holding my people accountable would give me more accountability… I’d be curious to know what things you’d want me to be accountable for and what things you’d expect to be held accountable for by whoever “your people” are. This video is not meant to disparage Alabama. This video was not designed to bring up the past. I said as much in my intro. I would really like to know if you have watched other videos on my channel and tell me if you feel the same way. I have videos on places in the south or places like California. I think you are assuming how I think rather than asking question

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

Hey, thanks so much for sharing! I definitely think Alabama is a place people are considering for retirement. I actually just spoke to someone right before seeing your comment who is retiring there. One concern many have with Birmingham is the crime rate, but it sounded like you felt pretty safe there. What part of the country do you currently reside in?

@@BrothaontheGo I used to reside in Orlando Florida at the time but I'm now in Dallas Texas. I need to go back to check out the vibes in Huntsville but from my research Bham has more things to do that interests me.

Nice! Florida and Texas are pretty popular spots right now. I liked the suburbs or country areas outside of DFW, but the metroplex is so big. I don’t think it’s for me. I love visiting there though. Thanks for watching!

What areas did you check out

@@donnaevans7 vestavia hills, Pelham, mountain Brook, Birmingham, downtown,

The beaches do look stunning there. Thanks for watching!

Been visiting the beaches here for the past 27 years and they are stunning! Food is great and plenty to do. Very crowded during the summer months so now that we are retired we go in the off season and it is great. The end of october is out favorite time to go now and you can still swim!

We love the snowbirds coming south for the winter! So glad you've enjoyed your time here ❤

Gangs are such an issue throughout our country. It saddens me to see that keeping people divided when the average American has made so much progress towards loving one another. It honestly warms my heart to hear about your family there. God bless!