No, Alabama (and Mississippi likewise) has no “attraction” to those from NY-NJ-MA who retire south. it repulses them actually.
“Retire to Florida” has ALWAYS been an attraction to the Northeast liberal-socialists. Of course, that used to mean the (used-to-be-majority-Jewish) neighborhoods around Miami, but Orlando-Tampa-west coast are now slightly cheaper targets for retirement as well - and still imply that “glamour” of Miami to their neighbors back north. And the “glamour” of showing up the neighbors left back in the snow IS a very real thing.
But “Retire to Alabama” ???? No, never will be attractive to the majority of Yankees. Retire to Atlanta, to Asheville, to the “Golden Triangle” of the Carolina’s? Somewhat. At least those are not repulsive to a northeast liberal who has never driven nor left “the city”
Is Alabama a “well kept secret” for retirees of a conservative bent...the state has some lovely areas according to pictures I’ve looked at.