Retirement

When people think of the perfect retirement location, several things usually come to mind: a temperate climate, beautiful surroundings, low cost of living, good health care facilities, and plenty of recreational choices. In the past, many chose Florida. But now, more and more retirees are making Alabama, and Jackson County, their home for those same reasons.

Jackson County features a moderate climate year-round. The average high temperature in July is 90º and the average low is 60º. December’s average high temperature is 50º with an average low of 28º. Located at the foot of the Appalachians, the county offers spectacular views of the mountains, the Tennessee River, and Lake Guntersville.

The county is also centrally located. It's less than an hour's drive to Huntsville and Chattanooga; and less than three to Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta. Montgomery, Mobile, the Smoky Mountains, Memphis, Lexington, and Louisville are about 400 miles away, and it takes less than a day to drive to New Orleans, Branson, Missouri, and the Atlantic coast.

Many retirees face the challenge of living on a fixed income, and cost of living is a major concern when they decide where to retire. The cost of living in Jackson County is far below the national average. An average new three-bedroom/two-bathroom home in Scottsboro sells for around $80,000, although there are many homes of varying sizes available on the market from the low $40,000's to $300,000. There are also several apartment communities in Scottsboro and throughout the county.

The small to moderate size of the towns in Jackson County is another draw for retirees. Scottsboro has a population of around 25,000, and the county's second largest town, Bridgeport, is home to just over 3,000 residents. Here, it's common to see a friend or neighbor at the grocery store. A car is a necessity because there is limited public transportation.

Recreational opportunities in Jackson County guarantee everyone something to do. There is fishing on Lake Guntersville, and good area hunting, with a buck-a-day limit all season long. Local hunters enjoy hunting whitetail deer, quail, duck, and other small game. The largest public hunting area in the county is Skyline/James D. Martin Wildlife Management Area located on the Cumberland Plateau.

The Scottsboro Rec**Com offers several programs targeted for retirees and older residents. The Rec**Com sponsors walking and swimming clubs to encourage fitness. Lap swim time is scheduled every day during the week, and on Saturday and Sunday there's an open swim. The Rec**Com also offers a therapeutic pool exercise class and a water aerobics class. If you play bridge, the bridge club meets at the Rec**Com three days a week.

The Rec**Com's director, Ricky Nance, took the job in 1996, and the facilities played a big role in his decision. "You just don't see facilities like the Rec**Com in a town the size of Scottsboro." The city council and the town fathers had great foresight in developing it. It’s used tremendously.