(STACKER) – Buyers and sellers of real estate – when asked what the three most critical considerations about a property are – will almost always answer “location, location, location”. While this answer is sometimes ironic, it’s often quite specific, and this answer perhaps applies more to retirees than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of work and perhaps raising a family requires the perfect place: a place where you can enjoy life with as little hassle as possible.

When people aged 65 and over decide where they want to spend their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and climate. general, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, dining establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Alabama using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors, including cost of living, healthcare, recreation, and weather.

Location is key as retirees determine where to spend their later years enjoying their favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it’s bustling downtown areas or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees looking to settle somewhere permanent are sure to find a haven. private in one of these Niche-recommended counties because, ultimately, there’s no place like home, no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire in Alabama.

#25. Marshall County

– Population: 95,643
– Median home value: $128,800 (70% ownership)
– Median rent: $649 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $45,983
– Top places to live: Guntersville (B+), Albertville (B), Arabe (B)

#24. Calhoun County

– Population: 114,618
– Median home value: $118,000 (70% ownership)
– Median rent: $716 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $47,255
– Best places to live: Oxford (A-), Alexandria (A-), Jacksonville (A-)

#23. Morgan County

– Population: 119,213
– Median home value: $137,000 (73% ownership)
– Median rent: $658 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $52,156
– Best places to live: Hartselle (A-), Priceville (A-), Decatur (B+)

#22. Butler County

– Population: 19,828
– Median home value: $95,900 (70% ownership)
– Median rent: $620 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $40,688
– Best places to live: Greenville (B), McKenzie (B-), Georgiana (C)

#21. Dale County

– Population: 49,277
– Median home value: $112,000 (60% ownership)
– Median rent: $730 (40% rent)
– Median household income: $47,214
– Best places to live: Newton (B), Daleville (B), Ozark (B-)

#20. Etowa County

– Population: 102,748
– Median home value: $113,700 (73% ownership)
– Median rent: $669 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $44,637
– Best places to live: Rainbow City (A-), Southside (B+), Glencoe

#19. Conecuh County

– Population: 12,394
– Median home value: $81,000 (76% ownership)
– Median rent: $536 (24% rent)
– Median household income: $37,837
– Best places to live: Evergreen (C+), Repton (B), Castleberry (C-)

#18. Marion County

– Population: 29,866
– Median home value: $92,800 (75% ownership)
– Median rent: $512 (25% rent)
– Median household income: $35,930
– Best places to live: Hamilton (B-), Winfield (B), Bear Creek (B-)

#17. Walker County

– Population: 64,110
– Median home value: $104,300 (77% ownership)
– Median rent: $626 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $43,629
– Best places to live: Jasper (B), Dora (B-), Sumiton

#16. County of Geneva

– Population: 26,417
– Median home value: $100,900 (72% ownership)
– Median rent: $625 (28% rent)
– Median household income: $41,732
– Top places to live: Malvern (B), Geneva (B-), Slocomb (B)

#15. Cherokee County

– Population: 25,903
– Median home value: $123,400 (77% ownership)
– Median rent: $620 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $41,919
– Best places to live: Cedar Bluff (B), Center (C+), Sand Rock (C+)

#14. Madison County

– Population: 362,276
– Median home value: $186,100 (67% ownership)
– Median rent: $857 (33% rent)
– Median household income: $65,449
– Best places to live: Madison (A+), Huntsville (A), Meridianville (A)

#13. Randolph County

– Population: 22,647
– Median home value: $96,100 (77% ownership)
– Median rent: $620 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $43,395
– Best places to live: Roanoke (B+), Woodland (B-), Wedowee (B-)

#12. limestone county

– Population: 94,727
– Median home value: $158,800 (78% ownership)
– Median rent: $691 (22% rent)
– Median household income: $59,686
– Best places to live: Athens (A), Elkmont (B), Lester (C+)

#11. Lamar County

– Population: 13,885
– Median home value: $80,900 (76% ownership)
– Median rent: $425 (24% rent)
– Median household income: $38,364
– Best places to live: Kennedy (B+), Millport (B), Beaverton

#ten. County of Colbert

– Population: 54,771
– Median home value: $120,800 (72% ownership)
– Median rent: $697 (28% rent)
– Median household income: $48,065
– Best places to live: Muscle Shoals (A), Tuscumbia (B+), Sheffield (B)

#9. coffee county

– Population: 51,662
– Median home value: $147,400 (66% ownership)
– Median rent: $803 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $55,637
– Best places to live: Enterprise (A-), New Brockton (B+), Elba (B-)

#8. Tallapoosa County

– Population: 40,541
– Median home value: $109,300 (75% ownership)
– Median rent: $665 (25% rent)
– Median household income: $45,828
– Best places to live: Tallassee (B), Alexander City (B-), New Site (B-)

#7. Shelby County

– Population: 213,432
– Median home value: $211,900 (81% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,047 (19% rent)
– Median household income: $77,799
– Best places to live: Indian Springs Village (A+), Meadowbrook (A+), Pelham (A+)

#6. Henry County

– Population: 17,133
– Median home value: $118,800 (83% ownership)
– Median rent: $627 (17% rent)
– Median household income: $50,017
– Top places to live: Cap (B+), Halebourg (B), Abbeville (B-)

#5. Houston County

– Population: 104,702
– Median home value: $137,600 (66% ownership)
– Median rent: $754 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $47,580
– Best places to live: Taylor (B+), Rehobeth (B+), Dothan (B)

#4. Choctaw County

– Population: 12,925
– Median home value: $74,100 (81% ownership)
– Median rent: $525 (19% rent)
– Median household income: $35,892
– Best places to live: Butler (B-), Silas (B-), Pennington (C)

#3. Covington County

– Population: 37,200
– Median home value: $97,600 (74% ownership)
– Median rent: $612 (26% rent)
– Median household income: $42,189
– Best places to live: Andalusia (B), Opp (B-), Heath (B)

#2. Baldwin County

– Population: 212,830
– Median home value: $197,900 (75% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,020 (25% rent)
– Median household income: $58,320
– Best places to live: Fairhope (A+), Daphne (A), Spanish Fort (A)

#1. Lauderdale County

– Population: 92,556
– Median home value: $145,000 (68% ownership)
– Median rent: $663 (32% rent)
– Median household income: $48,094
– Top places to live: Florence (A), Killen (B+), St. Florian (B+)