Huntsville Alabama was picked by CNN Money in 2011 for one of the 25 best places in the United States to retire. They cited the low cost of living as well as the natural beauty and endless recreation options, including “3,200 acres of parks, nearly a dozen recreation centers, six public golf courses, three municipal swimming pools, and 175 miles of bicycle paths.” There’s no end of fun things to do, from fishing at Sky Lake at the Madison County Nature Trail (seniors and kids are the only ones allowed to fish!) to more cosmopolitan entertainments like hitting the boutiques at Huntsville’s Five Points shopping district.
Speaking of shopping, there’s no end of options. Whitesburg Drive boasts plenty of shops, especially antiques. Bridge Street is the best upscale mall in the area, and features stores like Chicos, Clarks, Coldwater Creek, Joseph A Banks, Gourmet Chef, Reeds Jewlers, and the Walking Company.
For foodies, Huntsville has plenty to offer as well. There are boutique craft food shops like Belle Chevre, highlighted by Garden and Gun as a “small goat cheese company in Elkmont that’s in the vanguard of the American artisanal cheese movement” as well as fine dining establishments such as Cotton Row and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. There are also plenty of familiar faces in the form of economically priced Southern, Cajun, Thai, Chinese, Indian, American, Mexican and more. From soul food at Blue Plate Café to the highly rated Viet Huong Vietnamese Restaurant, there’s something for every palate.
When the grandchildren come to visit, there are many adventures to be had. The North Alabama Rail Road Museum and US Space and Rocket Center are major kid pleasers. For older kids and other relatives, the Huntsville Symphony and Huntsville Ballet put on wonderful performances.
Whether you come for the culture or the climate, for the affordability or to be near family, Huntsville has much to offer people of all ages, and especially seniors. Join the community of happy retirees who call Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville home!