Alabama: Masks are not required.
Hotels are open.
Some travel stops/rest areas are reopening.
Restaurants are reopening with seating limits.
When driving through Alabama, take a look at the Auburn/Opelika area. Growing economy, lots of stores, a great university town, so lots to do, 80 miles from Atlanta, but far enough away to not be influenced by thugs.
Dothan is another great town with lots to do, just north of the Florida beaches, (Panama City, Mexico beach). Lots of retirees.
Also, beautiful golf courses, recreation, and nice weather except summer is hot and muggy but air conditioning fixes that.
And did I say cheap? You bet! No taxes on retirement incomes, lowest property taxes in the country, but a 6-10 percent sales tax on all goods (state = 6%, county, towns, cities can add 2-4 %).
One other thing:
The most conservative state in the USA. Run by Republicans.
Not only low property taxes, but if you are age 65 or older, NO STATE PROPERTY TAXES!
Lots of golf courses in the Auburn-Opelika metro area, too.
2nd on Auburn / Opelika area, some friends moved there a couple years ago, we’ve visited several times. They’re right on Lake Martin in a big gated community with a golf course, it’s quite nice.
Thank you for the scoop on Alabama. It sounds like the state is open for business. That is great.
I will check out Auburn and Dothan. At this point, everything is on the table.
I had my heart set on retiring to Virginia Beach, but that fell apart when the Commie Rats conquered Virginia and turned it into Washington State on the Chesapeake. So nothing in any southeastern conservative state is off the table for me.