BusinessWeek has good things to say about our service area in Alabama

It's always nice to see your home turf get some positive recognition, and BusinessWeek magazine has helped drive home what we tell folks all the time:  Alabama is a great place to live.

BusinessWeek has named the city of Alabaster in Shelby Co. has the state's most affordable suburb.  This is the one of the key cities we service for people buying or selling homes, and with several good reasons.

Alabaster has enjoyed tremendous growth the past few years, but--unlike many communities--its tax base has been growing, as well, thanks to the Colonial Promenade Shopping Center, along with other businesses opening their doors here. 

Some folks say the mall has really put what used to be a 'sleepy little town' on the map.  For years, people would drive by Alabaster on Interstate-65 all the time on their way to do their shopping and dining out elsewhere.  But that model has changed a lot.  My wife and I are accustomed to walking in to many Alabaster area restaurants, especially on weekends, only to be told that there's a wait of at least half an hour or longer.  No, we don't enjoy having to wait, but I think that, in many ways, the fact that we do have to wait says something positive about this area's economy.

And then there's quality of life ... well, let's just say the secret is getting out more and more these days.  And that holds true for everyone from young families to people looking for a change or to downsize, to folks wanting to escape the frigid winters of the northern states.

According to BusinessWeek, Alabaster's median household income stands at just over $69,000, while the area's unemployment rate stands at 2.3%.

Another amenity of living in this area that's very important to potential buyers is commute time to Birmingham.  At barely 30 minutes, this is where more and more buyers find that they can get more home for their money, but without the costs and hassles of excessive travel time.

We're constantly telling folks about how much Shelby Co., Alabama, has to offer.  I'm suspecting even more people will learn about the quality of life in our area, thanks to stories like the one appearing in BusinessWeek...

David Black