Mayor Andrew Betterton first came to Florence, Alabama, 50 years ago to attend the University of North Alabama — and he never left.
The metro area — known locally as The Shoals — sits along the Tennessee River in north Alabama about two hours from Birmingham and just under three hours from Nashville. It boasts a rich musical heritage — as noted in the "Muscle Shoals" documentary — and the birthplace of Helen Keller.
It is also happens to be the most affordable metro area in the country,…
