By Julie Holdsambeck | Associate Broker, eXp Realty | Central Alabama
Updated October 2026
You can age in place in a rural home in Alabama, but it takes more planning than it does in town. The big things to plan for are the drive to doctors and stores, a house you can get around in safely, land you can keep up (or hand off), and a list of people and programs you can call. If you plan early, staying on your land can work for a long time.
Can you really age in place out in the country?
Yes. Plenty of people do, and a lot more want to.
AARP’s 2024 survey found that 75% of adults 50 and older want to stay in their current home as they age (AARP). And the South’s 65-and-older population grew 17.5% from 2020 to 2025, faster than any other region (U.S. Census Bureau).
I started my business in Bibb County. I know how much people love their land out here. The quiet. The space. The family history.
The goal isn’t to talk you out of it. It’s to help you stay there safely, on your terms.
How far is too far from a doctor?
That’s the first question I’d ask.
Bibb County covers about 625 square miles with around 22,000 people (Encyclopedia of Alabama). That’s a lot of road between neighbors.
The good news is there’s care close by. Bibb Medical Center in Centreville has emergency care, urgent care, physical therapy and skilled nursing (Alabama Hospital Association). For specialists, many families head to Tuscaloosa, about 35 miles from Centreville by U.S. 82 (Wikipedia), or up to Birmingham.
Ask yourself:
- How long does it take me to get to my regular doctor?
- How would I get there if I couldn’t drive for a few months?
- How long would an ambulance take to reach my house?
Here’s a biggie. Make sure your house number is easy to see from the road, on both the mailbox and the house. In the country, a hidden address can cost first responders precious time.
What changes make a country home safer?
Most rural homes weren’t built with aging in mind. That’s okay. You can fix a lot.
Inside:
- Get to one-level living. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and laundry all on the main floor.
- Add grab bars in the bathroom and a handrail on every set of steps.
- Light the path from the bed to the bathroom.
Outside:
- Look at the walk from the car to the door. Gravel, mud and steps are the big trip spots.
- Light the driveway and porch, especially with the time change coming November 1.
- Think about a carport or covered path so you’re not walking in the rain.
How do you keep up the land as you get older?
This is the one people don’t like to talk about.
Mowing five acres at 65 is different from mowing it at 80. So are clearing fallen trees, fixing fences and keeping the driveway passable after a storm.
A few ideas:
- Make a list of every job the land needs in a year, and who does it now
- Find a local person you trust for mowing and tree work before you need them
- Let part of the land go back to pasture or woods if you don’t need it kept up
- If the land grows timber or is farmed, ask the tax assessor about current use valuation, which can lower property taxes on qualifying land (Alabama Dept. of Revenue)
And don’t forget the systems most town homes don’t have. If you’re on a well or septic, know when they were last checked and who to call.
Who can help seniors in Bibb and Tuscaloosa counties?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Write these numbers down.
Area Agency on Aging. The West Alabama Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging for Bibb, Tuscaloosa and five other counties. Call 205-333-2990 or 800-432-5030 (Alabama Dept. of Senior Services).
Statewide AgeLine. 1-800-243-5463 connects you to aging services anywhere in Alabama (same source).
Help with a drafty house. The Weatherization Assistance Program serves households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and focuses on older adults and people with disabilities. In Bibb and Tuscaloosa counties, it runs through Community Service Programs of West Alabama, 205-469-0397 (ADECA).
Help with technology. The Brent-Centreville Public Library offers computer and fax help for older patrons (WVUA23). That can make telehealth visits and online bills a lot less frustrating.
When is it time to rethink staying?
There’s no magic age. But pay attention if:
- You’re putting off doctor visits because of the drive
- The land has become a burden instead of a joy
- You’re alone for days at a time and it doesn’t feel good anymore
- Your family is worried and telling you so
None of these mean you have to sell. They mean it’s time for an honest talk. Some families move a parent closer to town. Some build a smaller place on the same land. Some sell and keep a few acres.
A Story That Might Sound Familiar
Recently, I received a call from a retired couple just outside Bibb County. They had been maintaining the family home, several acres, a shop, and a pole barn. After their adult children were grown and had families of their own, the wife looked up one day and asked, “why are we still taking care of all this land when we are the only ones enjoying it?”
Their solution was to downsize and move closer to medical care; thus making them more independent. Now there were no worries about late-night medical emergencies. There were no more late-night commutes to the country. No more yard work, home maintenance, or high mileage on their vehicles, and they used this transition to make new friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe for seniors to live alone in a rural area?
It can be, with planning. The keys are a home you can get around in safely, a clear plan for getting to doctors, a visible address for emergency crews and people who check in regularly. Talk with your family about what would need to change for you to feel safe.
Is there a hospital in Bibb County, Alabama?
Yes. Bibb Medical Center is in Centreville. It offers emergency care, urgent care, physical therapy, swing beds and skilled nursing, according to the Alabama Hospital Association.
Who is the Area Agency on Aging for Bibb County?
The West Alabama Regional Commission serves Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties. You can reach them at 205-333-2990 or 800-432-5030. The statewide AgeLine is 1-800-243-5463.
How can I lower property taxes on my country land in Alabama?
If your land is used for farming or growing timber, you may qualify for current use valuation, which values the land by how it’s used instead of its market value. You apply with your county tax assessing official between October 1 and January 1. Talk to the assessor and a CPA about your situation.
Should I sell my acreage or keep it as I age?
That depends on your health, your budget, your family’s plans and how much you still enjoy the land. Some people sell part and keep part. It helps to know what the land is worth and what your options are before you decide.
Let’s Talk
If you love your place in the country and want to stay as long as you can, I’d be glad to help you think it through. And if a smaller place closer to town ever makes more sense, we can look at that, too. No pressure.
Julie Holdsambeck Associate Broker, eXp Realty Central Alabama 205-928-9376 yourcentralalabama.com
Sources
- AARP: 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 population estimates
- Encyclopedia of Alabama: Bibb County
- Alabama Hospital Association: Bibb Medical Center
- Wikipedia: Centreville, Alabama
- Alabama Dept. of Revenue: Current Use
- Alabama Dept. of Senior Services: Area Agencies on Aging
- ADECA: Weatherization Assistance Program
- WVUA23: Brent-Centreville Public Library
