It has been almost exactly five years since I arrived to Montgomery in my 1996 Chevy which was packed with every single thing I owned. I was only going to stay for two years, long enough to get a Master’s Degree in International business.
John Lennon said it best: ” Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”
Since 2010, I’ve seen Montgomery change and evolve. I’ve met some of the best people here and many of them are my friends for life. I’ve experienced some of the hardest times of my life while living here but I also have had the most exhilarating experiences here. Somehow I always stay. There have been plenty opportunities for me to leave and perhaps one day I will but for now, here are 8 reasons why I love Montgomery, AL.
8. The pace of life.
As a born and raised city kid, this was initially my least favorite thing about the city and the south in general. I wanted everything to happen when I needed it to happen and expeditiously. After several years here, I still am a fast paced person but I have come to appreciate the value of taking your time and not rushing through life. Rather than trying to fit in as much as possible in a day, try to appreciate that you are here to experience it.
7. The people.
Haven’t we all at some point dreamed of someone calling us their love? Well, come on down to Montgomery, where everyone will be referred to as Love, Darling, Sweetie, Sugar, and Honey on a regular basis. You can enter any establishment in Montgomery as a customer, and leave as a dear friend. Pretty much everybody is friendly here and quick to lend a hand.
Organizations such as EJI (Equal Justice Initiative) and SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) contribute to a percentage of the population being very actively involved in fighting social and economical inequality, and with several colleges and universities in the city, the population is quickly becoming more and more progressive.
6. The size.
If you are from a big city and are used to sitting in traffic for 30 or more minutes each way on your commute, Montgomery will be breath of fresh air. Even though we do have our fair share of traffic, it will never take you that long to get anywhere. Our city is roughly 11 miles long on the highway and 5 exits wide going the other way. If you run into traffic, there is always an alternate route that is less busy.
5. The nature.
Montgomery and the surrounding areas offers up great weekend getaways for the outdoorsy person or sports fanatic. Whether you like fishing, camping, river rafting, golfing or horseback riding, you’ll find it here.
4. The proximity to other cities.
When you are in Montgomery you are 1-4.5 hours away from Birmingham, Mobile, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, Pensacola, Gulf shores, Scottsboro, Muscle Shoals, Athens and Columbus. So if you ever get bored with the city, just go somewhere else!
3. The cost of living.
While buying groceries are the same or maybe more than other places, going out to eat is many times very affordable in Montgomery. Buying property is very inexpensive as well as property taxes. You’ll be able to spend more money on experiences and less on putting a roof over your head.
2. The weather.
While summer is hot and humid in the south, you do reap the benefits of mild winters and a growing season that stretches from March through November. If you are into gardening and growing your own food, Montgomery is ideal. Even if you don’t want to grow it yourself, we have several farms and farmer’s markets that you can get a share of fruits and veggies from on a weekly basis. Fresh food, no winter coats or snow shoveling, right this way!
1. The history.
That Montgomery was named the #1 Historic City by 10best.com in 2014 is not surprising. Wherever you turn in downtown Montgomery, you are met by historical landmarks. The city is home to the first White House of the Confederacy, the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald, an opera house that John Wilkes Booth once performed at, in addition to the homes of famous Civil Rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. The Fountain, the Montgomery Capitol and Dexter Avenue avenue that connects the two, are the sites of conflicting yet equally significant historical events. Rosa Parks boarded the bus at the fountain where slaves were once sold and on the other side of it stands the building from which the telegram that started the Civil War was sent. A short walk up Dexter Ave is King Memorial Church, where Dr. King once lead the congregation. Montgomery was his home from 1954 to 1960.
Thousands of people fought and often perished here for what they believed and when you think of all the events that have taken place in this fairly small radius, and the impact they have had on the course of events in American and world history, you can’t help but to be awed and humbled. Without Montgomery there is no true democracy in the U.S. Without Montgomery, there is no U.S. history. Without Montgomery, there is no me and that alone is reason enough for me to be proud to call it home.
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