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Retirement Living In East Alabama


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Area Description

The unique character of the Auburn-Opelika area is the result of a combination of influences from the special atmospheres and energies provided by the diversity of communities in Auburn.

A key contributor to this winning formula is Auburn University, which brings to Auburn all of the educational and cultural opportunities associated with a world class university, as well as a youthful presence and major sporting events of interest to national audiences.

Opelika is a community that cherishes and preserves its rich heritage, while at the same time embracing all of the visions and opportunities for a bright future for our residents and businesses! This progressive city of the South has abundant cultural, recreational and educational opportunities balanced against a thriving business environment.

Why visit Auburn-Opelika?
It's a family that could easily become yours. It's a ball in a cup, one under if you're very lucky or very good. Eagles live here. And tigers too. It's a spirit that is not afraid. We take our football seriously but know that no one can play golf without a sense of humor, and people all around the world know we have the best of both. Auburn-Opelika is the proud home of Auburn University, Alabama's biggest, and the Robert Trent Jones Trail, the world’s finest. It's the coolest college town in the South, according to us, and one of the top 10 cities in the US for small businesses, according to Forbes. Centrally located near Atlanta, Birmingham and Montgomery, Auburn-Opelika is easy to get to and easy to love.

Includes Cities/Towns: Auburn, Auburn University, Opelika.

Region Characteristics





Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness










   Play Golf at Grand National:
Robert Trent Jones himself proclaimed Grand National as the “single greatest site for a golf course” he had ever seen. Recognized by writers, designers, and players from around the world, Grand National has received accolades for everything from the “world’s prettiest hole” to the “world’s best public course.” Featuring 54 lake-hugging holes open 364 days a year, try your luck at the championship Lakes or Links course, or if you’re pressed for time, 18 holes of one-shotters on the Short Course will still make your heart go pitter-pat.

Play Pickleball:
The Opelika Sportsplex is home to a 24-court, state-of-the-art pickleball pavilion. The pavilion features LED lighting and regulation courts for tournament-style play that is free and open to the public for 24-7 use. This facility is one of the premier pickleball facilities in the nation, offering thoughtful amenities that are not often found at other tournaments. All 24 courts are individually fenced allowing for tournament-style play, and the entire facility is covered by a large canopy, offering shade. The facility is situated directly behind the Opelika SportsPlex, which gives players access to ample parking, bathrooms, lockers, showers, and concessions.

Hike, Bikes, Swim, Picnic at Chewacla State Park:
Spread out over 696 acres, the Chewacla State Park has something for everyone. There is a 26 acre lake, swimming area, camping ground, playground, picnic area that comes with a grill and shelter, mountain bike trails and hiking. If you want to stay in the park overnight there are six stone cottages that you can rent all year round, alternatively you can pitch a tent at one of the many sites the park has to offer. If you are into fishing then the lake is full of bream, bass and crappie. Alternatively, you can choose to fish in one of the two creeks. There really is so much on offer at this park for the whole family to enjoy.

The Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center:
The Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center is more than just a gym. In fact, you might call it a “Life Enhancement Center.” You can enhance your health, fulfill your fitness goals, enlarge your life, and fraternize with fun folks from the community or in sociable special interest groups. A few amenities of the SportsPlex and Aquatic Center include: Weight room, cardio area, group fitness classes, indoor and outdoor track, massage therapy, lap pool, hot tub, steam rooms, outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, and the Charter Foundation Adult Activity Center.

Enjoy Local Craft Spirits:
Opelika is the proud home of not just one but two craft spirit makers: John Emerald Distilling Company has been making fine liquors including whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum since 2014, and Red Clay Brewing Company opened next door in 2015 offering a variety of rotating seasonal beers, including ales, IPAs, and ciders. Located in the hip arts district in historic downtown Opelika, the venues often offer or are surrounded by live music and a year-round calendar of special events.

Experience the Culinary Scene:
From Iron Chef and the James Beard Foundation to Garden & Gun, Southern Living, and Wine Spectator, the whole world is figuring out what we already know: the Auburn-Opelika culinary scene is outstanding! The Rane Culinary Science Center will also be placing Auburn on the culinary map for being home to America's only 5-star, 5-diamond training hotel, and an education facility. This facility will house a learning food and beverage media studio, a coffee roastery and bar, a brewing science lab and a wine appreciation center. While these spaces will serve as educational resources for students, guests and the community are welcome to spectate and enjoy everything these learning spaces have to offer.

For more, visit aotourism.com.


Cultural Activities





Diverse, life-changing arts experiences designed to entertain, educate, and unite. Year-round opportunities to engage in the arts are available throughout the Auburn-Opelika community. Sundilla Music, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Telfair Peet Theatre, and Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University are just a few of the many areas that host and present performances such as touring Broadway productions, opera, dance, popular musical performances, local theatre productions, and student and faculty music and theater performances.

See the Dale Chihuly Chandelier at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art:
The focal point for the entry of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, Chihuly’s Amber Luster is a masterpiece of more than 600 individual pieces of hand-blown glass. It took four days to install, one piece at a time, the 17-foot sculpture which weighs more than 1,000 pounds. JCSM features a varied and interesting permanent collection of American and European art as well as a full calendar of traveling exhibitions throughout the year.

The Jay & Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center:
The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University is East Alabama’s premier performing arts venue, presenting touring Broadway productions, opera, dance, chamber arts, popular musical performances, and student and faculty music and theater performances. The Gogue Center is home to both the 1,202-seat Woltosz Theatre and 3,500-capacity Amphitheatre at the City of Auburn Lawn and Porch, with 17,000 square feet of open space for outdoor performances, community festivals and events.

Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour:
The tour began in 1993 with just a few homes participating but has grown to include 60 homes on North 8th and 9th street. The homes are decorated with life size Santas, angels, toys, carousel horses and Christmas themed figures. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour has been voted one of the southeast's top rated tourism events and featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. The event is a self-directed driving tour. However, on Saturday night North 8th and 9th streets will be closed to traffic to encourage visitors, neighbors and friends to stroll through the neighborhood. This enables everyone to leisurely enjoy the homes up close, listen to the carolers, and talk with residents dressed in Victorian costumes. This tour begins on North 8th street and 2nd Avenue and includes over ten city blocks. Admission to this spectacular production is free.

Pioneer Park & Loachapoka Historic District:
Their mission is to share the heritage and traditions of Lee County and preserve them for future generations to appreciate and understand. Pioneer Park serves as a historical destination that offers many great exhibits, events, and displays. The museum is currently made up of nine structures: the Old Trade Center, the Ruth Purdy Speake Cabin, the Taylor Whatley Building, the Blacksmith Shop, Doctor McLain’s Office, the Loachapoka Gin Office, the Cook House, and a reconstruction of the Loachapoka Jail. A band stand is used for outdoor concerts, entertainment, and classes. Recently, several gardens have been added to Pioneer Park to complement living history activities. The most recent addition is the Barnard-Newell Log House along with its Native American Garden.

Public transportation





Medical Facilities


East Alabama Medical Center:
At East Alabama Medical Center, our mission is high quality, compassionate health care, and that statement guides everything we do. We set high standards for customer service, quality, and keeping costs under control. We feel that our patients deserve nothing short of excellence, and we are committed to providing exceptional medical care with respect and compassion.



What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In East Alabama?

For those of you that retire in East Alabama, you will have hotter temperatures than other areas of the USA.

Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the upper 40's and highs in the upper 50's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 30's. Expect some rainy days in the winter.

If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in East Alabama such as a movie, a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cool with averages in the low 60's and highs in the mid 70's. Nights are cool with lows in the low 50's. Expect some rainy days in the spring.

Summertime in East Alabama is a great time to enjoy your retirement with a day at the lake, an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are warm with averages in the upper 70's and highs in the upper 80's. Nights are mild with lows in the upper 60's. Expect a lot of days above 90°. Humidity may feel uncomfortable. Expect some rainy days in the summer.

If you retire in East Alabama, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are mild with averages in the mid 60's and highs in the mid 70's. Nights are cool with lows in the low 50's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

 Month  Low  Avg  High
 Jan  33  45  56
 Feb  37  49  60
 Mar  43  55  68
 Apr  49  62  75
 May  59  70  82
 Jun  66  77  88
 Jul  70  80  90
 Aug  70  79  89
 Sep  64  74  85
 Oct  53  64  76
 Nov  43  55  67
 Dec  35  47  58

Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days

 Month  Days Greater Than 90 F°  Days Less Than 32 F°  Days Less Than 0 F°
 Jan  0  15  0
 Feb  0  9  0
 Mar  0  4  0
 Apr  0  1  0
 May  2  0  0
 Jun  11  0  0
 Jul  17  0  0
 Aug  14  0  0
 Sep  6  0  0
 Oct  0  0  0
 Nov  0  4  0
 Dec  0  13  0

Rain & Humidity

 Month  Rainfall  Rainy Days  Humidity
 Jan  5 "  10  35 %
 Feb  5 "  9  37 %
 Mar  6 "  9  42 %
 Apr  4 "  8  49 %
 May  4 "  8  59 %
 Jun  5 "  10  67 %
 Jul  5 "  11  70 %
 Aug  4 "  10  70 %
 Sep  4 "  8  64 %
 Oct  4 "  7  54 %
 Nov  5 "  8  45 %
 Dec  5 "  9  38 %

Snow

 Month  Snowfall  Snow On Ground Days  Snowy Days
 Jan  0 "  0  0
 Feb  0 "  0  0
 Mar  0 "  0  0
 Apr  0 "  0  0
 May  0 "  0  0
 Jun  0 "  0  0
 Jul  0 "  0  0
 Aug  0 "  0  0
 Sep  0 "  0  0
 Oct  0 "  0  0
 Nov  0 "  0  0
 Dec  0 "  0  0


Natural Disaster Areas



Cost of Living for East Alabama

East Alabama cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

Cost of Living

Demographics

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Senior Housing Options






Senior Assistance in East Alabama

East Alabama offers the following assistance for seniors:



What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does East Alabama Offer For Retirees?

There are always fun and diverse volunteer opportunities in this area. Whether you spend time working with the Food Bank or Boys & Girls Club, or helping the Tourism Bureau with events, there's something for everyone.

Volunteers are always need for large scale events such as Super 7 (the AHSAA Football Championships), Swimming & Dive events, AU campus events, etc.

Additional Information

Visitor Information


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