There are not enough choices in the poll for me to answer. Instinctively my first choice would have been "Excellent...would retire here.." but that leaves alot unanswered as far as what to do in the meantime. Alot of people say there is nothing to do here and I can see their point. My answer is usually that you just have to make something to do. But that uaually involves money and some creative thinking along with careful planning. Watersports and mud/trail riding are two of my "things to do" but I have to be careful not to play too hard or my waverunners and four wheel drive will be broken down and I will have "nothing to do". There seems to be alot of focus on getting the big spenders to come here but not too much being done to help the spenders that live here. What jobs are being created by getting the big spenders here other than the mininum wage retail jobs? I don't blame the Shoals for all the problems as I know alot of it is due to the State goverment also. But, why can't the Shoals do something more for its people? A couple of things that irritate me(especially when my son was younger) is the fact that so much money went into the marina at Florence Harbor, the Tower, Hall of Fame, and yet why not a safe place for us and our kids to fish and swim? Now that all the fancy smancy golf courses are going there is plenty of room for a cove for the both at McFarland Park but if they ever dug that it would be set aside for the high rollers in their fancy bass boats.
As far as employment and income? There isn't much of either. Ever wonder why unemployment compensation is so much higher in other states? Its based on an average per capita income. With Alabama having one of, if not the, lowest amounts of unemployment compensation amounts even my simple mind translates that as having some of the lowest wages. I come from a family of seven children. I am the only one left here and that is only because I am what my brother called "resourceful". I own my own home(yes, it does have a place for wheels). I own 2 trucks(paid for). I have my waverunners.(older but paid for) I am debt-free except for the recurring utilites, cell bill, etc. And I raised my son on my own. I don't think I could be where I am, even if some people wouldn't consider it as much, if I had to depend on a particular employer to get me here. But, I have no insurance and not much to look forward to in the way of retirement benefits(I'll never actually "retire" though as long as my health holds up).
All this said, the Shoals and the state as a whole have cost me my family as all my brothers and sisters had to move to other states since its simply too hard for someone in education, phsycology, law enforcement, and small business owners to make a decent wage here. Once my son decides which way he wants his life to go I'm sure I'll lose him too(which may be what eventually takes me away). In the meantime I guess I will still "loan" him a few dollars when he needs it.
My choice?
Excellent.......would retire here.....IF...........BUT.......