Decatur, Alabama

If North Alabama were one big family, Decatur would be the grandpa who still has his first dollar.
He remembers when gas was thirty-five cents a gallon, knows exactly what he paid for his first house, and thinks everybody spends too much money on coffee these days.
And if you give him five minutes, he'll tell you all about it.
But don't mistake his appreciation for the good old days for a lack of enthusiasm about what's happening now.
Sitting along the Tennessee River, Decatur has a history and identity all its own. Historic districts like Old Decatur and Albany, established neighborhoods, and newer residential communities offer a range of places to call home.
The river is a big part of life here, from the trails and wildlife at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to the waterfront at Point Mallard Park. Downtown Decatur adds local restaurants, shops, and historic architecture to the mix.
Decatur has long been an important industrial and commercial center in North Alabama, but there's more to the city than its working roots. Community traditions, arts, outdoor recreation, and a growing collection of local businesses give it plenty of personality.
And Grandpa? He's proud of where Decatur's been, but he's keeping a close eye on where it's going.
He just wishes somebody would explain why a cup of coffee costs six dollars.