$221,388Average Value$117Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
West Florence is the birthplace of the "Father of the Blues"
W.C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues," was born in a small log cabin in the heart of historic West Florence. Today, Handy's childhood home on West College Street serves as a museum and library full of personal essays and artifacts. The iconic composer's influence is palpable across Florence. His name adorns community centers, and the massive W.C. Handy Music Festival celebrates his legacy. West Florence residents live within walking distance of many of the 10-day festival's events, alongside downtown Florence and the University of North Alabama. Its location and history are key draws to the neighborhood. "It's in a quaint portion of the city where you have easy access to downtown, where there are thriving businesses, restaurants and retail stores," says local Realtor Stephanie Tanner of Re/Max Tri-State. She has sold across the region for eight years. "It's good for people looking for in-town property to be close to sporting events or if they have a child at the University."
Historic homes and mid-century ranches
Most homes were built in the early to mid-1900s along narrow, hilly streets. "There are more historic homes in this area," Tanner says. "Some original homes are at least 60 to 80 years old. Some, probably even 100." Ranch styles, bungalows and cottages are among the neighborhood's most popular housing styles, and there are several custom-built homes along Riverview Drive. Several homes need a few repairs, and Tanner says it's a popular community for investment properties. Housing values vary widely, but homes north of West College Street tend to list from $20,000 to $200,000. Homes south of West College Street are typically larger and sell at higher prices. They list anywhere between $160,000 and $430,000. A few homes along Riverview Drive, while they rarely hit the market, can sell between $500,000 and $610,000. Construction is underway for a massive development project called West Village. It will bring new single-family homes, townhomes and apartments to the area, along with various businesses. Construction is in its early stages.
Events at the MacFarland Parks and days by the Tennessee River
Residents can access the Tennessee River at MacFarland Park, located directly south of the community. The park features a small beach area with views of the O'Neal Bridge and a boat ramp with several slips. Other park amenities include playgrounds, walking paths, a disc golf course and a soccer field. MacFarland Park is also a center for city-wide events, including the W.C. Handy Music Festival, a huge event full of music, block parties and acoustic sessions celebrating Handy's musical legacy. There are also several disc golf and fishing tournaments. The Handy Recreation Center reopens in May 2025 after a $2.6-million renovation project. The reopening will debut new activity rooms, a renovated locker room and a computer space. The center also features an outdoor, seasonal pool.
Plates at Bunyan's and heading to downtown Florence
While minimally commercial, West Florence is home to Bunyan's Bar-B-Q – a family-operated barbecue spot that's been around for decades. Visitors can grab a dinner plate with chicken or pork and sides like potato salad or slaw. Chicken stew can be ordered by the gallon and the barbecue by the pound. Plus, locals love the homemade sauce. Historical attractions, boutiques and galleries sit between restaurants like Odette and Yum Thai in downtown Florence. Downtown is also home to First Fridays, a popular monthly event with live music, art and sidewalk performances. Wilson's Food Center offers groceries at the heart of the community, and big-box stores like Walmart Neighborhood Market and ShopRite are 3 miles away.
Florence City Schools earns high remarks on Niche
The Florence City School District scores an overall A on Niche and is Alabama's second-most diverse school district. Sam C. Harlan Elementary School scores a B-minus on Niche, Hibbett Intermediate School has an A-minus, and Florence Middle School has an A-minus. The Florence Freshman Center serves ninth graders before they head to Florence High School for tenth through twelfth grade; both schools sit on the same campus and score a B-plus on Niche. The high school offers several student organizations, from chess and French clubs to FBLA and theater. The University of North Alabama, sitting just outside the community, offers various bachelor's degrees, including a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in mass communication.
Navigating Florence
West Florence is car-dependent. It's about 5 miles north of Muscle Shoals, connected by Lee Highway. The North Alabama Medical Center is about 3 miles east, and the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is a 7-mile trip.
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On average, homes in West Florence, Florence sell after 10 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in West Florence, Florence over the last 12 months is $160,000, down 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this rare 5-bedroom, 3-bath Mid-Century Modern ranch offering nearly 4,000 sq ft of beautifully updated living space in the desirable Palisade-Sorrento loop. Tucked away on a peaceful, no-through street, this home combines timeless architecture with a complete modern renovation. Step inside to find an open, light-filled layout with luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, a stunning
Spacious home just 0.7 miles from UNA—perfect as a primary residence, student housing, or rental investment! Inside you’ll find an updated eat-in kitchen, a large living room with a cozy fireplace, and modern vinyl flooring. Two driveways provide ample parking, plus a 4-car garage with a 960 sq ft addition built in 2000—ideal for a workshop, home office, or man cave. With flexible living space
GREAT LOCATION in popular Florence AL. Close to all the action, and the Main Intersection in town. This lot is made up of two lots and extends from Dr. Hicks thru the vacated alley to Alabama Street. Unbelievable traffic count.
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