Forestdale 57 Below average
Forestdale Livability #368 ranked city in Alabama#21,390 ranked city in the USARanks better than 26% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Forestdale

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

What's it like Living in Forestdale?

Forestdale is a smaller city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 8,870 inhabitants. According to Census, the majority (75%) of Forestdale residents identify as Black or African American followed by 19% White and 1% Asian. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Forestdale, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Forestdale can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of Alabama, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Forestdale and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Alabama and national averages.

Forestdale has a livability score of 56 out of 100 and is ranked #411 in Alabama and #22,525 in the USA. This is a lower than the United States average livability score as Forestdale does not rank well for most categories. Based on the grades for each individual category, Forestdale has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Forestdale, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and education (D-).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Forestdale can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Forestdale meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Forestdale. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Forestdale are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Forestdale come in at $214,273, which is 9% lower than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Forestdale, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 30.6% lower than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Forestdale

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Compare Forestdale, AL Livability

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      Forestdale transportation information

      Statistic Forestdale Alabama National
      Average one way commute26min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.7%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.7%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.2%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home3.7%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Forestdale, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.