The Chattahoochee River's whitewater rapids form the border between Alabama and Georgia, and the bridges over them connect Phenix City's 38,000 residents to jobs and recreation on the Georgia side. "It feels more like a suburb of Columbus, Georgia, than its own city," says Alex Acuff, Realtor for EXP Realty, who grew up in the area. Many folks who work across the river at tech companies like TYSYS or the Army's Fort Moore take advantage of Alabama's lower taxes by living in Phenix City. But Phenix City has its own attractions, including a growing downtown along the river, anchored by the Phenix City Amphitheater and a Troy University campus. Deeper into Alabama, new subdivisions are popping up, often followed by new shopping and dining options.
Ladonia homes are sitting amongst a plethora of trees and greenery.
Ladonia is filled with variating landscapes, such as beautiful lakes and foliage.
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Lower taxes and lower sale prices in Phenix City
According to Niche, Phenix City's median sale price is $154,000, about 45% lower than the national median of $281,900. According to Realtor Michael Terrell with Keller William Realty, who has nearly a decade of experience in real estate and was born and raised in Phenix City, "It used to be that houses were at a lower price point than in Columbus, but now the prices are pretty equal in square footage. But the real benefit of living on this side of the river is that the taxes are much lower. Many retired military members also choose to live over here because of that." Homes clustered around the city center are typically mid-20th century builds, costing between $50,000 and $200,000. Moving farther out from the city center, subdivisions of larger, recently built new-traditional homes in areas like Ladonia have a higher price point, ranging between $200,000 and $300,000. Phenix City also features occasional multimillion-dollar riverfront properties.
New constructions homes are frequently being built in Ladonia.
Properties in Ladonia typically sit on large lots with plenty of space for outdoor use.
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Phenix City School District
Serving over 7,300 students, the Phenix City School District earns an overall rating of B-plus from Niche. According to U.S. News and World Report, Central High School offers over 20 extracurricular activities and has one of the region's highest graduation rates at 95%. South Girard Junior High offers an accelerated academy where students can earn up to four high school credits. Chattahoochee Valley Community College prepares students for careers and for transfer to four-year institutions, like Troy University, which opened its Riverfront Campus in 2015.
Parks close to the Chattahoochee River
Phoenix City experiences long, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Six public parks stretch across town and offer various amenities, such as athletic complexes, lakeside walking loops and riverside zip lines. Many residents cross the river to visit Woodruff Riverfront Park, which offers whitewater rafting, floating, fishing and paddleboarding.
Residents of Ladonia are often found enjoying their time off in Lakewood Park.
Lakewood Park in Ladonia is one of the main parks residents come for recreational use.
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Residents shop between both Phenix City and Columbus
Residents travel between the intertwined communities of Phenix City and Columbus for their dining and shopping needs. Columbus offers the Peachtree Mall and big box shopping centers just a few miles north, where residents can go to a Target, Walmart or Sam's Club. Phenix City has smaller shopping centers with locally owned supply stores and restaurants along 13th Street, including the locally owned 13th Street Barbecue, which Terrell notes as a favorite. A new retail center will break ground along Highway 280, "significantly increase the city's dining options," says Shaun Culligan, Phenix City's Economic Development Manager. "We plan to build at least three casual and fast casual dining areas within the complex."
Dan Hardware in Ladonia sells anything you would need for building, construction, and design.
Fat Momma Lucys in Ladonia serves delicious southern cuisine to the Alabama residents.
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Summer concerts at Phenix City Amphitheater
While Phenix City is quiet during the day, country, rock and blues may be heard around the river at night. During the summer, Phenix City's 3,000-seat amphitheater offers a concert series, and right across the river, there are weekend concerts during the Market Days on Broadway. For some high-octane entertainment, the beloved East Alabama Motor Speedway has a dirt track with regular races and monster truck rallies.
Crime in Phenix City
According to Crime.Alabama.Gov's latest statistics report (2023), there were 1,372 cases of property crime and 276 cases of violent crime. This was a marginal increase from 2022, with 1,301 cases of property crime and 274 cases of violent crime. Officers use the Spillman Public Safety Data System to share investigative and collaborative data, like crime trends and wanted persons, with the Emergency 911 System and the county sheriff's office.
Commuting from Phenix City
Car-dependent locals access most of the city on 13th Street/U.S. Route 80 or Highway 280. Residents ride Phenix City Express buses throughout town and bike along the riverwalk. The Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital is on the north side of town, and the Columbus Airport is about 6 miles northeast. Local highways connect across the river to Interstate 185, 4 miles away, and I-85, 45 miles away. Phenix City is about 30 miles from the Auburn-Opelika area and about 100 miles from Atlanta and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Written By
Micaela Green
Photography Contributed By
Paul Ayala
Video By
Christian Gortler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Phenix City, AL sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Phenix City, AL over the last 12 months is $250,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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