Saturday Data: Rocket City retirement

  

   The Huffington Post has a story about six places people have probably not considered for retirement, but should. And Huntsville, Alabama, is at the top of the list (though that may be because Alabama is first in the alphabet).
     I'm reminded of a comment back in the mid 1970's by the head of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. I had just moved to B'ham, and he was explaining how much better the city was than some of the surrounding landscape: "

"Birmingham would be even better it if it didn't have the albatross of Alabama around its neck," he told me.

     Retirees may want to consider the politics of the place before packing their bags any buying a condo. 
     And yes, Huntsville is in a Deep South State, but it is on the northernmost border. While snow is a true oddity here in Montgomery, the Tennessee Valley gets more frequently and is considerably colder.

     And Alabama might want to consider the liability that comes with encouraging retirees to move here. Those older folks don't much care about the K-12 schools since their own kids are grown, and may not vote kindly towards any added funding. And as for their driving...well, I'm sure you've been to Florida.




[Saturday Data is a regular feature of Tim Lennox.com And yes, Tim is certified old guy too, though not yet retired.]