Alabama Home of Two of America's Newest Best Places to Live: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
By Lizzy Scully

Looking for one of America’s best places to live? The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area in Alabama is an ideal place for both retirees and young families to settle down.

The glistening warm waters and silky sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach—together commonly referred to as "Pleasure Island,"—continue to attract new residents every year. Sitting on the edge of the Florida panhandle in the Gulf of Mexico, sun worshippers enjoy playing beach volleyball, building sandcastles, or racing across the water on sailboards. This island community, housing approximately 9,000 residents, offers fabulous views from skyscrapers that now dot the landscape. Although average housing rates have risen along with the tallest buildings, at $326,000, they are just a touch higher than the national average.

Locals and visitors enjoy access to the state's largest charter fishing fleet, which offers sailing, diving, and dinner cruises. On dry ground, there are numerous championship golf courses; pathways for biking and running; and nature walks at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Looking for a break from the warm summer temperatures? Visit a multitude of downtown shops. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach residents pride themselves on keeping the cost of living and crime rate down as well. By encouraging family travel to places such as Adventure Island or the Gulf Coast Exploreum science center, the community strives to minimize loitering by teens and young adults on local beaches and other popular hangouts. Families will also find top-notch schools here.

This area isn't just for families though. Retirees enjoy the slower-paced lifestyle and small, friendly resort-type community. And if the need for bigger-city amenities were to arise, Mobile and Pensacola are found short distances away. Thirty-two miles of world-famous beaches, over 200 days of sunshine a year, and all the fresh seafood one can eat... it doesn't get any better than this.

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