Twice a day. A retiree living in Montgomery counted how many times they went up and down to the second-floor bedroom. This started when they began to feel that their knees weren't what they used to be. It was the point where they began to consider whether to keep their two-story single-family home, where they had lived for over 20 years, or move to a single-story condo or townhome. They looked into adding safety handrails to the stairs or renovating to move the bedroom to the first floor, but the costs of structural changes turned out to be higher than expected. As a result, they leaned towards finding a new single-story property. The thought that it would be better to move while they still had time, rather than rushing to relocate when their body became more uncomfortable, also contributed to this decision.

$186 per month. This is the average electric bill in Montgomery. According to Alabama Power, the electricity rate is about 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, and rates are frozen until 2027, so there is not much concern about a sudden spike in costs for the time being. However, Alabama households use about 30% more electricity than the national average. This means that heating and cooling are the biggest factors driving the cost fluctuations. The more rooms and levels a single-family home has, the more pronounced this 30% increase can be felt.

$225,000. This is the median home sale price in Montgomery. However, when broken down by housing type, the trends differ. Single-family homes have a median price of $189,900, which is actually lower than the overall median, while condos are around $160,000 for one-bedroom and $149,900 for two-bedroom units. Townhomes are priced higher at $348,600. This difference seems to arise because townhomes in Montgomery are larger and have a higher proportion of new constructions compared to condos. Rather than simply concluding that condos are cheaper based on the price tag, it is more accurate to compare the number of rooms and square footage. If a stair-free single-story structure is desired, condos offer a more budget-friendly option.

Additionally, management fees must also be factored in. According to national surveys, management fees for single-family homes range from $100 to $250 per month, while condos are reported to be between $600 and $900 per month. Alabama generally has a lower cost of living, so management fees in Montgomery are often lower than these figures, but moving to a condo does mean that a new fixed cost will arise. On the other hand, the advantage is that repairs requiring significant expenses, like roofs or exterior walls, can be managed within the management fees.

Property tax exemptions should also be considered. In Alabama, property taxes are fully exempt for state government purposes for those aged 65 and older. If annual income is below $12,000, there is an H-2 exemption that allows an additional $5,000 deduction from the county portion, and for those with an annual income of $7,500 or less or with permanent disabilities, the H-3 exemption can waive all state, county, and school taxes. The application period is from October 1 to December 31 each year, and it does not apply automatically, so it must be submitted directly to the Montgomery County office. One important point to note is that this exemption application does not automatically transfer when moving homes. If moving from a single-family home to a condo, a new application must be submitted based on the new address, so it is important to prepare the paperwork in line with the moving date.

When considering the burden of climbing stairs, heating and cooling costs, and property tax exemptions, moving to a single-story condo in Montgomery can make sense in many ways. Since stairs were an issue, it's wise to check if the bedrooms and bathrooms are all on the same floor and whether there is stair-free access to the entrance when viewing properties, which can reduce regrets later. Even if things are fine now, thinking ahead a few years can lead to saving costs by taking care of things in advance. It's more comfortable to calmly compare options now rather than rushing to find something later when mobility becomes more difficult. However, since management fees and taxes can vary by county or complex, it's advisable to check directly before signing a contract. This is not investment or legal advice, and consulting a professional before making any actual contracts is recommended.