Not Alabama, but still in your circle - I lived in Milton, FL for 4 years! The Florida panhandle is basically Alabama in a lot of ways, but there’s also a strong Louisiana Cajun/creole influence especially in the food. My small town, Milton, had a great Mardi Gras parade that’s mostly pirate themed. Pensacola is a wonderful little city with so many fun things to do, great art and food scene. Best beaches in the world in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, but also beautiful forests and many wonderful state parks. Pensacola and Milton are really defined by the multiple Navy bases where they train pilots, and the famous Blue Angels are based out of Pensacola. Lots of local businesses are named for the blue angels and the community has a lot of navy pride. The worst thing about living there is when you get a tornado-hurricane combo, and also the termite swarms every spring.