Hoover, Alabama's largest and most populous suburban city, lies along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Residents of this vibrant urban environment enjoy a vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle. Additionally, they appreciate the area's shopping, restaurants, and city services. Due to the growing number of Americans who telecommute to work, it's essential to know which cities offer the best living opportunities in each state. 24/7 Wall St. recently ranked Hoover as one of the top 30 places to live in Alabama.
Living and Working in Hoover Alabama
Hoover Alabama
boasts an excellent quality of life with plenty of amenities, cultural
attractions, recreational activities, and entertainment venues. Additionally,
its safe and welcoming atmosphere draws families as well as young professionals
who value being close to schools, parks, and natural areas. People who work
from home often seek places with a low crime rate and convenient amenities.
This is especially true for individuals looking to relocate and establish roots
in a new neighborhood. Hoover boasts a violent crime rate of just 96 crimes per
100,000 residents, far below the national average. Additionally, residents can
enjoy plenty of public parks and recreation options during their free time.
A large percentage of the local workforce is composed of telecommuters, with
8.88% representing 8.88% of total staff working remotely - more than twice as
many as there are in other parts of the country. As the economy shifts to
technology-driven jobs, many urban and suburban cities are competing for these
in-demand positions. These include IT-related careers, digital roles, and
cybersecurity positions. Hoover's cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, yet still
reasonably affordable. Health care costs are a significant component in living
expenses as are everyday necessities like food and childcare. The City of
Hoover holds community visioning sessions to foster dialogue about the city's
future and identify its values. At each gathering, residents are asked to
identify their reasons for living, working, or investing in Hoover as well as
what they perceive to be its unique assets.
Moss Rock Preserve
One of Hoover Alabama's best-kept secrets is Moss Rock Preserve, a 350-acre nature park
featuring trees, plants, rock outcroppings, streams, and waterfalls. Owned by
the city of Hoover itself, the preserve features nearly 12 miles of hiking
trails that wind through an idyllic valley and ridge system. If you're a hiker
or boulderer, this is the place for you. With over 50 sandstone boulder
problems suitable for all levels of climber - from sketchy mantles and delicate
balance on tiny crimps to challenging highballs - there's something here for
everyone. There are plenty of shady spots to take in the views, and trails
winding through these picturesque woods. With so many trails available, you
could easily spend a day hiking and climbing in this park!
You can do a lot of good for this park by volunteering. The Friends of Moss
Rock Preserve and other volunteer groups help maintain the park, keeping it
beautiful and secure for visitors to explore. Moss Rock Preserve is managed by
the City of Hoover, in collaboration with Friends to clean up graffiti and
improve infrastructure. Each year, there are several volunteer work days that
you can sign up for to help maintain these trails. Recently, I had the chance
to hike along part of the White trail in Hurricane Creek Preserve which follows
through some lovely woods. It offers great views of central portions of the
preserve and is easily accessible. Most of the trail is flat but at its eastern
end, there is some fairly intense topography which may make for an aerobic
hike.
Riverchase Galleria
Riverchase Galleria
is a must-see for everyone, whether you're from Alabama or visiting. At 1.9
million square feet, it's the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama and
one of the top tourist destinations in the state. General Growth Properties'
Superregional Shopping Mall in Hoover, Alabama is managed and partially owned
by J.C. Penney, Macy's, and Sears, as well as two Belk stores. At 17 stories,
this city features an office tower and the Hyatt Regency hotel, as well as a
conference center. A U-shaped ramp provides motorists direct access to both the
office tower and two parking decks. The mall opened in 1986 and has grown
steadily throughout the years. In 1996, a major expansion was added that
included an expanded parking deck and a new entrance at the north end of the
shopping center.
In addition to retail stores, the mall boasts a selection of restaurants and
entertainment establishments. At its center lies an imposing nine-story glass
atrium boasting the world's largest skylight. This shopping center boasts an
array of restaurants and shops, including popular brands like J.C. Penney,
Belk, and Forever 21. Additionally, there are some smaller stores that provide
unique products. During the holiday season, the atmosphere at The Mall is
vibrant and festive. It's a popular location for Christmas parties and family
activities, plus this year's tree lighting ceremony will take place on November
29. The mall has become a popular tourist attraction for visitors from
neighboring states and has seen an uptick in security following shootings at
the mall in 2019. Brookfield Properties has upgraded its security measures,
while Hoover Police Department reopened a substation and increased patrols
following the incidents.
Aldridge Gardens
Aldridge Gardens is a 30-acre
botanical garden that showcases hydrangeas and other native plants. It has
become an iconic attraction in Hoover Alabama, drawing visitors from around the
globe. The gardens are free to visit throughout the year and host a range of
activities such as plant sales, art shows, and seminars. There's also a lake
with an inviting half-mile trail perfect for enjoying a picnic. Guests can take
a leisurely walk around the five-acre lake or explore other trails in the
gardens to discover flora and fauna. Plus, there are frequent bird walks and
special events to enjoy! In addition, there is a gift shop selling plants and
other items to take home some of your experience from the gardens. Whether you
need something for yourself or someone special, this store has something that's
sure to bring a smile.
One way to enhance your experience is through gallery tours. These provide a
fascinating look into the garden's origins and give you a new perspective on
its stunning design, created by the Aldridge family. These tours are open to
guests of all ages and provide an opportunity to discover the history that went
into creating this stunning park. It's an uplifting way to connect with all
that makes the area so unique. If you're planning on spending some time at
Aldridge Gardens, consider renting a vacation rental to make your stay even
more comfortable. Vrbo offers an extensive selection of rental homes and condos
near Aldridge Gardens that will be ideal for your trip.
The Stardome Theater
For over 25 years, The Stardome Theater
in Hoover and throughout the Southeastern United States has been entertaining
local residents and tourists with nationally known stand-up comedians like
Margaret Cho, Craig Ferguson, Louis C.K., and Sinbad; as well as magicians and
variety shows. Owned and operated by Bruce Ayers with his family by his side;
there are 420 seats in both showroom and banquet facilities which recently
underwent a major renovation in 2016. With these new seating options for
patrons in 2016, The Stardome Theater underwent a major renovation in 2016
which brought new seating options for attendees in 2017. Bruce Ayers took
ownership of the Stardome Comedy Club with a vision to restore it back to its
original splendor. Spending $500,000. Every aspect of the building was
renovated, from its Showroom to stadium-style seating for fans to an all-new
Star Bar.
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