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| Nestled down in the southeastern
corner of Alabama, along the Chattahoochee River
and overlooking a 45,000-acre reservoir, is the
historic town of Eufaula (population
13,500). Settled in 1816 on rich, fertile
land that once belonged to the Creek Indians,
the town became a prosperous trading center
before the Civil War. When the War came,
Eufaula was spared, and today its bounty of
ornate antebellum homes, combined with a lake
culture, is a reason many retirees choose to
live here. Of the population,
23% is age 45 to 64 and 14% is age 65 or
better. |
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Eufaula is a quiet oasis in a hectic, modern world and
offers retirees a high quality of life at an affordable
price. The cost of living is roughly 15% below the
national average, and officially the median home price for a
1,800 square foot single-family residence is $135,000, but
we have found that price to be closer to $185,000, still
significantly below the national average. Very
comfortable homes can be found in the mid-$100,000s, and
larger dwellings, in the 2,500 to 3,000 square foot range,
can be found in the mid to low-$200,000s. There are
also some high-end residences, selling from the $400,000s to
more than a million dollars.
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At this writing we were unable to find any
apartments for rent. We did find six mobile/manufactured
home parks, including Grandview Mobile Home Park and Cedar Grove
Mobile Home Park, in and around town. None are
age-restricted. Eufaula property is taxed at a rate
of 44 mills (.044), and real estate is assessed at 20% of its fair
market value. Homeowners 65 and older are exempt
from all county property taxes, and a homestead exemption up to
$5,000 of assessed value is granted by the state on real property
taxes to all residents. A larger exemption is available to
persons over 65. The annual property taxes on a
$175,000 home would be $1,320 or less annually. Social
Security, military, civil service, state/local government and
qualified private pensions are exempt. Overall, Alabama has
one of the lowest tax burdens in the country.
This is an interactive
map. Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to
navigate the map and click on the +/- signs to zoom in and out. The
reservoir, the Walter F. George Reservoir, that is just south of
town is known as Lake Eufaula by locals and is known by many
others as the "Big Bass Capital of the World."
With 640 miles of shoreline, the lake is the recreation center for
many retirees who enjoy water skiing, boating, sailing, and of
course, fishing. We've also heard that alligators
enjoy the lake. Just something to keep in mind. Nearby
Lake Point State Park provides even further recreation venues;
here residents find tennis courts, picnic areas, a public golf
course, rental cabins and hiking trails. Birders and hikers
also enjoy the 11,000-acre Eufaula Wildlife refuge, located on
both sides of the Chattahoochee River, that is home to several
endangered bird species. Eufaula, Alabama, Continued...
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