Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Alabama

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply “location, location, location.” While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Alabama using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche’s methodology here.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Alabama.

You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes

Public Domain

#25. Pickens County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Carrollton (B-), Reform (C+), Gordo (C+)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Calhoun County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
– Top places to live: Jacksonville (A-), Oxford (A-), Alexandria (A-)

MPearsallArt // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Morgan County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Priceville (A-), Hartselle (A-), Decatur (B+)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Butler County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
– Top places to live: Greenville (B), McKenzie (B-), Georgiana (C)

Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Dale County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Newton (B), Daleville (B), Ozark (B-)

You may also like: Countries Alabama imports the most goods from

Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Etowah County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
– Top places to live: Rainbow City (A-), Southside (A-), Glencoe (B+)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Marion County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Hamilton (B-), Winfield (B), Bear Creek (B)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Conecuh County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Evergreen (C), Repton (B), Castleberry (C)

Wmr36104 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Geneva County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C)
– Top places to live: Malvern (B), Geneva (B-), Slocomb (B)

Canva

#16. Walker County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Jasper (B), Dora (B-), Sumiton (C+)

You may also like: States where people in Alabama are getting new jobs

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Cherokee County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Cedar Bluff (B), Centre (C+), Sand Rock (C+)

Pixabay

#14. Madison County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
– Top places to live: Madison (A+), Huntsville (A), Meridianville (A)

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Limestone County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Athens (A), Elkmont (B), Lester (C+)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Randolph County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Roanoke (B), Woodland (B-), Wedowee (B-)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Coffee County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Enterprise (A-), New Brockton (B), Elba (B)

You may also like: Most rural counties in Alabama

Dailynetworks // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Colbert County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Muscle Shoals (A-), Tuscumbia (B+), Sheffield (B)

Myself – Nathon Morris // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Lamar County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A+), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Kennedy (B+), Millport (B), Detroit (B)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Shelby County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
– Top places to live: Indian Springs Village (A+), Meadowbrook (A+), Pelham (A+)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Tallapoosa County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
– Top places to live: Alexander City (B), Tallassee (B-), New Site (B-)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Henry County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Headland (B+), Haleburg (B), Abbeville (B-)

You may also like: Counties most concerned about climate change in Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Houston County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Taylor (B+), Dothan (B), Rehobeth (B)

RuralSWAlabama (Billy Milstead) // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Choctaw County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Butler (B-), Silas (B-), Pennington (C+)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Covington County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (B)
– Top places to live: Andalusia (B+), Opp (B-), Heath (B)

Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Baldwin County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Fairhope (A), Daphne (A), Spanish Fort (A)

Wayne James // Shutterstock

#1. Lauderdale County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
– Top places to live: Florence (A), Killen (B+), St. Florian (A-)

You may also like: Counties with the oldest homes in Alabama