New ranking lists Florence among the 10 best places to live in the South

Florence, located roughly 75 miles west of Huntsville, was just mentioned in World Atlas’ “10 best places to call home in the Southern United States in 2026” article.

Specifically, World Atlas pointed to the beautiful natural scenery of the area, including the Tennessee River, River Heritage Trail and the Shoal Creek Preserve.

They also highlighted Florence’s downtown atmosphere, saying it “buzzes with a different kind of energy.” Live music blares from local businesses like the Lava Room and fan-favorite spots like Swampers.

This isn’t the first time Florence has been mentioned by World Atlas — they also included the North Alabama city in their “9 best towns in the Southern United States for retirees” list earlier this year.

Cities were picked based on the range of services offered there, amenities available and attractions that add significant value. Want to know who else made the cut? Check out the list below 👇

• Nacogdoches, TX
• Natchitoches, LA
• Paducah, KY
• Staunton, VA
• New Bern, NC
• Aiken, SC
• Rome, GA
• Russellville, AR
• Natchez, MS

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