7 Best Places to Live In Montgomery, AL

Montgomery, Alabama’s capital city, may not be on your radar, but why not? Montgomery possesses a growing job market, affordable living, and fun activities to enjoy with family and friends. It’s the right combination of what you need to have a fulfilling lifestyle, whether you’re a retiree, young professional, or raising a family.

If you haven’t considered moving to Alabama, but want to live in the South, you should definitely give Montgomery a look. To learn more about Montgomery and if it could be perfect for your next home, we’ve briefly profiled its advantages and highlighted a few of the popular neighborhoods to live in.

Why live in Montgomery, Alabama?

For starters, your dollar goes further here! Some expenses are dramatically less, like the cost of housing, which is 30% lower than the national average. Montgomery also has an incredibly low cost of living, 11% lower than the national average.

While living in Montgomery costs less, that doesn’t mean you’re getting less. This is a city and one of the larger ones in Alabama. It has a thriving economy thanks to several large employers with headquarters in the area, like Hyundai Motor Manufacturing and Koch Foods. Plus, there’s Maxville Air Force Base and the Baptist Health System, which add stability to the economy.

The city is also home to the state’s 2022 best school, the Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) School, which ranks in the nation’s top 20 high schools according to US News and World Report. The quality education continues with the various colleges and universities based in the Montgomery area, including the Alabama State University, one of the best Public Schools in the South.

Outside work and school, you’ll need some activities to keep you occupied. Don’t worry! At the Montgomery Riverfront Park along the Alabama River, you can catch a riverboat cruise or walk to the splash pad to cool down on those hot summer days. Root for the Montgomery Biscuits, a minor-league baseball team that plays at the Riverwalk Stadium. Catch live music acts and theater performances at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Plus, there are neighborhood parks and river access points throughout the city.

Reflect on Montgomery’s history in the Civil Rights Movement through the historic landmarks and the museums in the town, like the Freedom Rides Museum or Rosa Parks Museum. Other landmarks celebrate the town’s connections to Martin Luther King, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and Hank Williams.

Montgomery is a city that offers so much for you and your family. But where should you live? Take a look at some of our top picks for neighborhoods to explore:

Cottage Hill

Cottage Hill is a 42-acre historic district known for its rolling hills and charming cottage homes that rank among the city’s oldest buildings. This is, after all, one of the city’s oldest residential neighborhoods.

The community overlooks the Alabama River and the State Capitol building. Residents can walk to the Wright Brothers Park, which overlooks the Gun Island Chute. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is also to the east, as are many landmarks and museums. But when you want to head farther afield, I-65 and I-85 border the neighborhood.

The Queen Anne architectural style is predominant in the historic buildings. Most of the one-story cottages were built from the late 1800s through 1910. They are on closely spaced lots with uniform setbacks, mature trees, and sidewalks. The community had one home for sale in February 2023, listed at $230,000.

Cloverdale

Cloverdale is Montgomery’s largest historic district and showcases a variety of architectural styles. The historic district runs from Norman Bridge Road down to Narrow Lane Road.

One of the benefits of living here is the Cloverdale Entertainment District along East Fairview Ave and Cloverdale Road. This is the epicenter for things to do in the community, with small-town pubs, boutique shops, art galleries, an independent cinema, and a community theater.

Several community parks add to the community’s character when you want to escape the crowds. They feature historic fountains, splash pads, playgrounds, and green spaces. The largest is the 2.5-acre Cloverdale Park. For an added attraction, the community borders two universities: Alabama State and Huntingdon.

The community’s development was inspired in the 1890s by the garden town movement. The homes in Cloverdale are primarily single-family dwellings with front porches, gable roofs, bay windows, decorative cornices, and open floor plans. Many houses have a vintage look, while others show off more modern updates like remodeled kitchens and updated bathrooms.

The homes sit on curving streets with irregularly shaped lots. Old Cloverdale had 14 homes for sale in February 2023 and a median list price of $262,000.

Deer Creek

Deer Creek is one of the newer developments in Montgomery and a master-planned neighborhood with many amenities.

The development on the city’s east side spans 800 acres and is broken into 21 distinctive neighborhoods. It was designed as a family-friendly community with a clubhouse, pool and splash park, fitness center, and trails. Spaced throughout the development are 50 acres of green space and lakes.

The community does have a homeowner’s association responsible for administering the covenants and managing the amenities.

Deer Creek has many different neighborhoods, so you will find varied options for real estate. These include single-family homes, garden villas, and condominiums. Designs reflect traditional and custom styles.

Edgewood

Edgewood is one of Montgomery’s most popular neighborhoods, and it’s easy to see why! Not only does it have a great location near the Montgomery Country Club and Huntington College, but it has an opulent character.

The area is a highly residential community with luxurious homes with mature landscaping and ample yard space. They wind across the narrow residential lanes. Find shops and restaurants close by on Carter Hill Road.

The homes include mid-century ranches and older estate-style homes. Edgewood had five homes for sale at the median list price of $267,000 in February 2023.

Millbrook

Want to be outside of town? No problem, as the City of Millbrook offers more affordable housing options than Montgomery. This small suburb is located north of the city, with roots back to the 1700s. Early on, it was a retreat for Montgomery’s wealthy citizens.

Residents here like the classic small-town feel, with the weekend farmer’s market, community theater, and downtown park. Village Green Park features a covered stage and gazebo that is always ready for the small town’s festivals. Namesake Mill Creek wanders through the park, and the kids love the custom Kids’ Kingdom playground. The town also supports a large sports complex and horseback riding at the YMCA.

This former weekend retreat town today supports your daily needs. Pick up your groceries and run errands at Route 14 and Main Street shops. Find chain restaurants and local dining venues, from donuts to seafood.

Millbrook had 82 homes for sale in February 2023, with a median list price of $215,000.

Pike Road

Pike Road is a fast-growing town outside Montgomery. While it has been around for over 175 years, Pike Road was a quiet farming community for much of its history. Even as it transforms into a small town, you’ll find those values still preserved. It was incorporated only in 1997, and its local school district launched in 2015.

With just 5,000 residents in 2020, the town provides affordable homes near outdoor recreation opportunities. It feels rural, as ample farmland surrounds and is included in the town. Locals can shop the freshest produce at the Sweet Creek Farm market. Not far away is the Cottonwood Golf Club.

Developers are growing interested in Pike Road. It had 298 homes for sale at a median list price of $367,600 in February 2023. This is an ideal place to look around if you want a more considerable lot, homestead, or new construction.

Wynlakes

Are you interested in country club living? You can get close to that feeling in Wynlakes, a master-planned development built around a golf course. The golf course is a private country club with amenities like swimming pools, a fitness center, and tennis courts residents need to join to access. Wynlakes residents are treated to beautiful views of the lake and surrounding nature preserves.

Community homeowners are conveniently located to I-85, so it’s easy to head west into downtown Montgomery when needed. East Chase Shopping Center provides the essentials for living, and some dining choices are nearby.

Wynlakes homes are predominantly luxury-styled single-family homes. There is an HOA association, 24-hour security, and covenant enforcement.

Living in Montgomery, AL

Those who call Montgomery home benefit from an affordable cost of living and a growing economy. Its range of neighborhoods caters to different lifestyles and budgets. Explore these Montgomery favorites, and you just might find your perfect place to call home!