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Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Birmingham, AL

Regions Field in Birmingham Alabama

If you’ve been looking for an incredible city for retirement, it’s time to consider the Magic City. Birmingham, AL, is ranked as the second best place to retire in Alabama and one of the best places to live, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Residents at Galleria Woods know just how to take advantage of everything this big city with small-town charm offers. From culinary delights to places to spend time with your pup, read these five reasons you should retire in Birmingham, AL. Plus, find out how you can enrich your lifestyle in our senior living community.

1. Delightful restaurant options

With fresh ingredients from the nearby Gulf of Mexico, Appalachian foothills and fertile Alabama farmlands, restaurants in Birmingham draw talented chefs from across the country to cook up their culinary creations.

Local favorites include: 

  • Feast & Forest for breakfast, brunch and coffee
  • OvenBird for comfort food by James Beard Awards winner Chris Hastings 
  • Slice for Southern-inspired pizza options
  • Saw’s Soul Kitchen for classic Alabama barbecue 

Our chefs at Galleria Woods also use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create delicious menu items available at dining venues just steps away from your front door. That way, you can still experience exceptional food, even when you’re not at a restaurant. 

2. Affordable cost of living

A top reason to retire in Birmingham is its low cost of living. People who live in the Magic City experience lower than average grocery store, housing, transportation and entertainment prices. Even better, Alabama is a tax-friendly state for most retirement income.

At the state-level in Alabama:

  • Social Security income isn’t taxed .
  • Public and private pension income aren’t taxed.
  • Military retirement pay isn’t taxed. 
  • There is no inheritance or estate tax.

Life Plan Communities like Galleria Woods offer contract options with one-time entrance fees and ongoing monthly fees, which can provide you with more tax advantages. A portion of your entrance fee and, sometimes, a portion of your monthly fees can be tax-deductible whether you signed a contract for a nonrefundable or partially refundable entrance fee. The IRS considers them as prepayment of medical expenses. Of course, it’s always best to consult your tax advisor for the details. 

3. Great health care

Birmingham has one of the best medical schools in the country, The University of Birmingham, and a plethora of hospitals, doctors and other medical experts to choose from. If you’re ill or injured, you’ll be able to find a provider to help you get back on your feet. Here are just a few of the health care systems available in Birmingham:

  • Ascension St. Vincent’s 
  • Brookwood Baptist Health
  • Birmingham VA Health Care System
  • Grandview Medical Center
  • Pilot Medical Park

Our Life Plan Community offers a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation delivered by a multidisciplinary staff in a comfortable setting that feels like home. This means you can always count on award-winning senior care and seamless transitions across all levels of living if your health needs ever change. 

4. Entertainment for the whole family

One of the best reasons to retire in Birmingham is that there’s plenty of entertainment for all ages. Whether you’re searching for a shopping area for a girl’s day out, fun for the grandkids, or just a way to spend your free time, there’s always something to do. 

Check out these ways to stay entertained and have fun in Birmingham:

  • Watch the University of Alabama football team at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
  • Connect with nature at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
  • View the latest independent films at the Sidewalk Film Festival.
  • Enjoy the Birmingham music scene at Jazz in the Park.

Our retirement community features plenty of ways to keep you entertained and engaged every day. For instance, you can attend a live symphony performance, enjoy a picnic with your grandkids, or work on your golf game at our private putting green.

5. Pet-friendly environment

Along with being named one of the most pet-friendly cities in Alabama, and leashed-up pups being legally allowed to join their people on restaurant patios, Birmingham boasts plenty of unique ways to spend time with your four-legged family member. 

Here are ways residents enjoy time with their pets in the Magic City:

  • Pet-friendly trails and the dog park at Red Mountain Park
  • Watching the game and eating a meal on the patio at Billy’s Sports Grill
  • Sunset views and sips on a Zen-like patio at Vino.
  • Learning about local history on the pet-friendly walk: Birmingham Scavenger Hunt: Pillars of Birmingham.

Galleria Woods is a pet-friendly retirement community. We warmly invite your small dog or cat to enjoy the vibrant lifestyle and rich social life our community offers. Plus, our beautiful walking paths are a great way for you and your pup to lead an active lifestyle.

Enjoy the Lifestyle You Deserve and Thrive at Galleria Woods

Our retirement community in Birmingham, AL, offers multiple floor plan options from charming apartments to spacious Garden Homes, along with services and amenities designed for seniors that make every day feel like a resort-style vacation. Contact our senior living representatives online to learn more about our community or schedule a tour. Don’t forget to RSVP to one of our events!