This Charming Community Might Just Be The Most Peaceful Place To Live In Alabama
By Lisa Battles|Published November 27, 2023
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Long known as the “loveliest village on the Coosa,” Southside rates well for safety alongside its attractiveness. It almost always appears at or atop crime-data-driven lists of the safest cities in Alabama. A small population of 9,584 people allows for a tightly-knit community, and the people choose to make it one. Let’s take a closer look at how Southside has all the ingredients to make it the most peaceful place to live in Alabama.
Southside residents enjoy a unique mix of mountain views and lakeside living thanks to their location. This northeast Alabama community is situated in the foothills of the southern Appalachian Mountains along the banks of the Coosa River.
While city leaders incorporated this Etowah County community in 1957, its history goes back much further. What is known today as Southside originated with three smaller communities coming together in 1850. Even in its earliest days, it was an important place for transportation thanks to several ferries that crossed the river. The largest of them, Gilbert's Ferry, is the namesake for the community's iconic bridge that dates back to 1939.
The community continues to come together near the bridge – a.k.a. Little Bridge – at Southside Landing. The pretty park has a playground, picnic area, waterfront decking, a walking trail, a two-lane boat ramp and slips, and more. There's plenty of parking for cars and boat trailers, too.
Southside Landing sets a beautiful scene for outdoor movie nights. In addition, a restaurant called Blackstone Bait Shack opened at the park in 2022. You can stop in for piping hot pizza, tasty nachos, salads, and more. If you're inclined, choose from a selection of craft and domestic brews and wind down with waterfront views.
The colorful subdivision of Harbor Point is a frequently photographed and popular choice for people who want to live along the water's edge. The development is just to the southwest of Southside Landing.
If you're feeling inspired, you can get a true feel for what it would be like to live in Southside with a stay in a lakefront vacation rental on Neely Henry Lake.
While the lucky folks who live on the waterfront get spectacular views just outside their windows, the river is a resource everyone can easily appreciate – and do. Southside residents stay involved in what's to come for the city, too. For example, over 1,000 residents participated in the process to develop Southside Next, a strategic plan to carry the community's vision through 2040.
And as every experienced angler knows, maintaining a peaceful vibe is the top priority when your sights are set on a prize catch. Southside knows what it has and wants to preserve what it can amid inevitable growth.
Off the water, the community organizes plenty of other well-supported, fun activities for residents to socialize. Besides outdoor movie nights, there are activities like community painting nights and plenty of youth sports games in its active leagues.
As noted earlier, Southside has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, year over year. Keeping the peace is a police force that is committed to community connections. The department has 22 sworn and civilian employees who take a community-based policing approach. One example is Coffee With A Cop, a recurring event that invites residents to chat with officers at a local coffee shop.
... And just in case you wondered, K9 Officer Luka has her own headshot on the city website's police department's team page. OK, you probably didn't wonder and yet now you know. If you are a dog lover, go look that one up and thank me later.
The department also keeps the lines of communication open year-round and stays visible and approachable. It's not unusual to see officers at community events and engaging with families around town. For example, the department's D.A.R.E. program hosted a picnic for local students, where they enjoyed an afternoon of fishing.
The focus is on fostering ongoing community connections as a preventative measure against crime. No doubt that approach is especially critical as the community continues to be one of the fastest growing in the state.
For more news and photos around Southside, visit the City of Southside government website and follow the City of Southside, Alabama on Facebook. Have you had a chance to visit Southside? Do you agree it’s the most peaceful place to live in Alabama? Tell us if it gets your vote or who you’d choose otherwise.
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