Reviews & Comments
Florence, AL
Great Place if you can Get Here -
9/29/2006Florence offers all the charms of a small to mid-sized Southern Town. People pride themselves on their Southern manners,politeness and friendliness. It is the financial, educational,medical and commercial center of North-West Alabama and a larger region including exteme NE Mississippi and parts of Southern Middle TN.
Crime is low for the most part and the climate is mild. Mostly humid with the only changes being a short winter from late December thru February.
The school system is good for this part of the US which means its low to average compared to the rest of the country. There are pleny of public and private schools, a local Junior/Community college and a small but growing 4 year University which is known for its Teachers Education and Nursing Departments.
Florence is the center of a larger area collectively known as the 'Shoals' named for the shoals or rapids of the Tennessee River. (combined population for the metro area is aprox 150,00 scattered across two counties.)
The down side to Florence is its relative isolation. It is 40 miles from the nearest Interstate Highway. Although we do have a nice nearby airport it suffers from lack of choice. NorthWest Airlink is the only choice and it ONLY flys to one destination. MEMPHIS. The next closest airport is Huntsville International aprox 60 miles away by car.
Because of its relative isolation Florence can seem like a much bigger place.
There are plenty of dinning and shopping venues not often found in a city of its size. Most all national retail and eating chains have a local branch.
Cost of living is LOW. Wages are low so therefore the prices of housing etc are low. Jobs are hard to find unless you want to work in the service sector.
In conclusion its a great place to live and raise kids, if you have a good job or are a professional who wants a slower place. If you are young, single, and ambitious then its not for you. Locals tend to want to stay put for family ties and grab up the available good jobs because they have connections.