FLORENCE
For more information on retiring in Muscle Shoals please contact Steve Holt
COMMUNITY LINKS
Shoals United www.shoalsunited.com
Florence-Lauderdale Tourism www.flo-tour.org
City of Florence www.ci.florence.al.us
Are you looking for a good climate? Low crime rate? Affordable waterfront living? Access to cultural and educational events? The Shoals area of Northwest Alabama has all of this and a whole lot more!
The Shoals Area is Alabama’s seventh largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (Florence MSA). Comprised of Lauderdale and Colbert counties and the four major cities of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, the Shoals is the economic center of northwest Alabama. Located less than 150 miles from Birmingham, Memphis and Nashville, the area is bordered by Mississippi to the west and Tennessee to the north.
The Shoals is situated on the beautiful Tennessee River and is the closest metropolitan area to the mouth of the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. The market boasts a convenient port facility where imports can be cleared locally by the U.S. Customs Service. Located just 40 miles from Interstate 65, the Shoals is also home to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, a full service facility with commercial air service. In addition, the Shoals is located on the Norfolk Southern Rail line and the switching yard for most major southern rail companies is located in the market.
Climate of the Shoals is temperate with an average temperature of 60.7 degrees, an average rainfall of 51.58 inches and average snowfall of 4.6 inches.
FBI statistics released in October of 2000, listed the Shoals metro area 5th among the safest areas in the nation in which to live.
We'd love to show you why more and more families and retirees are choosing
the Shoals. Give us a call for more information or...better yet come visit!
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Cities: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia
Population: 140,049 (metro area)
Counties: Lauderdale and Colbert
LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Commercial Airline : YES
Nearest Regional Airport: Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Muscle Shoals
Interstate Highways : NO
If no, then distance to interstate highways: - 40 miles (I-65)
Four Lane Highways (Please Specify): US 72, US 43, AL 20, AL 157, AL 133
State Highways (Please Specify): 133, 157, 20, 43, 17, 184
Distance to...
Atlanta: 232 miles
Birmingham: 119 miles
Mobile: 323 miles
Nashville: 117 miles
Tallahassee: 422 miles
Nearest Coastal City (Name/Distance): Gulf Shoals, AL @ 408 miles
Public Transportation : NO
LOCAL TAXES
** Please Note: The prices/figures below for taxes and city services vary within the two counties and the four cities. Therefore, what you will find listed here are approximate averages for the METRO area. Feel free to contact us if you would like to know specific figures for a particular city in the Shoals.
Property Taxes on $100,000 Home with Homestead Exemption:
City limits: $428.75
County: $298.25
Total Millage Rate:
City limits: $48.75
County: $32.00
Sales Tax (Total): range from 7% to 8.5%
Automobile Tax & Tag: from $83.00 (+/-) to $114.00 (+/-)
HOUSING COSTS
Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - 5 to 10 yrs old: $136,908
Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - new: $145,188
UTILITIES/SERVICES
Public Water : YES
Cost per 1000 gallons: $3.43
Public Sewer : YES
Cost of Sewage Service: There are different pricing structures for this service. If you would like to know the structure for any of the four cities in the Shoals area, please contact us and we would be glad to go over this information with you.
Electricity, Cost per 1000kwh: $64.06
Garbage Service Cost: $12.17
Number of Pick ups per Week: 1-2
Cost for Basic Cable TV Service: Approximately $34.00
Number of Channels: 58
Percent of community coverage: 100%
HEALTH CARE
Number of Physicians:
City/County: 246
Number of hospital Beds: 685
Nursing Home Facilities: 6
Assisted Living Facilities: 8
Regional Health Care Center : NO
Nearest Regional Health Care Facilities:
Huntsville - 69 miles
Nashville - 117 miles
Birmingham - 119 miles
Memphis - 150 miles
MILITARY POSTS
Military Posts : NO
Name/Distance to Nearest Post: Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, AL) @ 69 miles
Public Libraries : YES
RELIGION
Places of Worship: 300+
Denominations: 41
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Post/Secondary Institutions : YES
Name/Distance: University of North Alabama - Florence
Northwest Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals
