Don’t look at moving like climbing a steep mountain; instead, see it as the first step in your next great adventure. Whether it’s across town or across the country, moving is about as popular as a trip to the dentist. Your move is much more than making lists or packing household items and cherished family mementos. It’s about leaving the place that’s been safe, familiar, and fun and stepping out into the unknown.
For you, moving to Montgomery is a new horizon filled with endless opportunities, possibilities, and friendships.
Montgomery: A Brief History
The capital city of Alabama is also the second largest city in the state and is known for its numerous contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Several prominent Americans have called it home, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Hank Williams, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Cost of Living
One great aspect of moving here is that Montgomery is “wallet-friendly.” Buying a home will save you more than 60% compared to other major cities across the country. Plus, you will get a real bang for your buck as overall living expenses here are 20% less than the national average. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in the city include: Cottage Hill, which features cottage-style homes in one the largest and oldest historic districts, Cloverdale, another historic area near Norman Bridge Road, Garden District, which features different architectural styles and Capital Heights Montgomery’s East Side is the fastest-growing area featuring national retailers, residential developments, and several large shopping centers. Downtown is the heart of the city for business and entertainment and lies along the Alabama River. This area has an energetic vibe with shops, loft apartments, and various restaurant choices that will tickle your taste buds.
Our Music Will Make You Move
Montgomery’s nightlife offers a wide variety of entertainment options, including live music and dining.
Once you’re unpacked and settled in, you can take advantage of the city’s robust music scene. Montgomery has a rich musical history, and you can enjoy live performances every night of the week. One night you might tap your boots while listening to country. Then kick off your Friday night and weekend by taking in some jazz and even getting out on the dance floor. The 1048 Jazz and Blues covers all the bases when comes to different music tastes. In addition to their two mainstays, they also include alternative, folk, and reggae. The Capitol Oyster Bar is a high-end seafood restaurant that also features jazz bands.
Historical Significance
The state capital of Montgomery has played a significant role and helped shape life in the South, which then impacted the entire country. The Rosa Parks Library Museum honors the brave civil rights activist who refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger. There is also the Civil Rights Memorial Center and the Dexter Parsonage Museum, the former home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Civil Rights Memorial (above) in Montgomery, Alabama, was designed by Maya Lin. 41 civil rights martyrs’ names are inscribed on this fountain made of granite — all who were killed in the civil rights movement. The memorial is sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Experience Art, Astronomy, and Animals
Moving to Montgomery will offer a variety of activities that couples and families will find not only enjoyable but educational and stimulating as well.
The Beauty of Art
Art is much more than enjoying a painting, drawing, or sculpture. While it pleases the eye, art is also food for the soul. It inspires us, refreshes us, and it can motivate us to rekindle our own creativity. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, (MMFA) is a great place to enjoy the work of others and to spark your imagination. Located at the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, the MMFA is home to more than 4,000 works of art comprised primarily of works including sculpture, Southern art, and porcelain and glass by American artists from the 18th to 21st centuries.
The MMFA also has regular ongoing series for your enjoyment as well. You can take advantage of the monthly reading group, Arts & Letters, featuring art-related fiction and non-fiction novels. Another option you will enjoy is the Exhibition on Screen presented onsite at the Capri Theatre. With introductions by the MMFA staff, these screenings offer audiences unprecedented access to the world’s best-loved art and insights from leading historians and art critics.
The Wellness series is a great way to relax and start your weekend with this end-of-the-week, midday experience that provides wellness for the mind and body, led by professionals from the local River Region area. Depending on the month, you can enjoy tai chi, yoga, or dance-strengthening exercises enhanced by the unique outdoor beauty and serene surroundings on the MMFA grounds.
Super Stars
There are few things as majestic and captivating as the evening sky filled with countless stars. Another fun activity once you move to Montgomery is visiting the W.A. Gayle Planetarium in the Oak Park section of town. Troy University operates the facility for the city and features daily public shows that offer visitors a full-dome movie about current topics in astronomy and planetary science. The Planetarium also gives interactive presentations that provide a tour of the night sky over Montgomery, focusing on what stars, planets, and constellations can be seen. You will also be able to see a scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope, images of celestial objects, and a black-lit hallway depicting the history of astronomy. This is one activity that most people don’t think of enjoying. Whether you gaze at the heavens occasionally or a lot, one night, you just might be fortunate enough to see a shooting star.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears…Oh Wow!!!
The Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Museum is easily one of the best activities you will enjoy after moving to Alabama’s state capital. Located on 40 acres on the North side of Montgomery, the zoo includes more than 750 animals and 140 different species from five continents. Take the train ride around the park when you first arrive. This will allow you to scout out your favorite spots to visit later. Just in case you’re wondering, Bengal tigers are probably the most popular attraction. In addition to the animals, there are games, concessions, and other activities that will appeal to children.
Be sure you check out special exhibits like the Petting Zoo, Parakeet Cove, and the Giraffe Encounter. After you’ve done all that walking, you can recline and dine at The Overlook Café. Make sure to complete your visit by stopping at the zoo’s gift shop. There are many other special events and nights during the calendar year, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and an evening Winter Flashlight Tour.
These are just some of the wonderful things about your new home in Montgomery. Embrace this new beginning as you put down roots, build friendships, and create many new and lasting memories.
Let the Lambert Moving Systems professionals help you move your family and business to Montgomery—we’ll get you there!
Photo: Rosa Park and Civil Right Memorial (Public Domain) en.wikipedia to Commons.
