Looking to relocate to AL - Birmingham or...???

I understand the desire to be close to family and friends. We moved to Georgia from Washington State several years ago for that very reason and I miss it everyday. You just cant beat the scenery and open spaces west of the Rockies.

 

I would have to say Florence or Huntsville.

 

The more we look at it, the more we are leaning towards checking out Huntsville and that area.

Any specific info as to areas to avoid and areas to check into further?

 

Huntsville for sure. It's booming, and it's getting more and more fun stuff to do (top golf, movie theaters, super fast go kart rave tracks etc) but you are right there will be nothing like the mountains and public land out there.

 

Honestly Alabama is a great place to live, it isn’t terrible anywhere but there are places it isn’t so great. If you decide to live in Birmingham, live in the suburbs. Huntsville is really growing as a city right now business wise. There’s a lot of jobs in Birmingham, there are a lot in Huntsville too though. Honestly, I’ve never heard a bad thing about Huntsville from the people I know up there. They’re even putting in a top golf. Birmingham isn’t a bad place to live, just don’t live right in the middle of it.

 

Let me see if I can circle where I'd avoid in huntsville on a map for you.

 

Anywhere near him....

 

Appreciate it. You mentioned a few places around the area on page 2 I think. We have looked over a few of those areas and like what see so far.

 

I personally would avoid anything in the red.

 

DO NOT MOVE TO MONTGOMERY!!!

I was a Police Officer there for 2 years, it is getting worse and worse. Pike Road used to be the only place nice in that area but theres so much crime and break ins you would move out in a couple years.

I live in Chilton County, I enjoy it. You have to drive 30 mins north or 30 mins south for Shopping/movies and such but that hasnt been a problem for us. Houses tend to be in the higher price range but the market has been trending way upward and seems that it will continue. But besides walmart and 30 Dollar Generals there isnt too much.

 

Avoid everything there except the breweries!


My personal opinion on the places in and around Huntsville

South Huntsville (Jones valley)
Very nice but a little crowded. Good schools and a good area. High land and house prices in most places.

Madison
Very high cost for houses but freaking BOOMING buy your house now and sell it for double in 10 years type shit.
Stupid crowded on the weekends getting places on 72.

Athens
A commute if you're going to work in Huntsville. More country style of living and feels more like a small and nice town. Nicer people overall
Not as good of schools as Madison and Huntsville no doubt
Medium price for houses.

Harvest/toney/hazel green

Much much more country living style open farm land and big acerage for sale.
Hazel green is a 6a school and a good one, though not as nice as Madison huntsville.
Good commute into Huntsville for work.
Very cheap housing. Has everything you'd need as far as groceries and gas stations relatively close.
(Personal bias here as I hate cities and am looking to move to hazel green)


Mainland Huntsville is where your shopping will be done ubless you live in Madison, they have a lot of shit there.

 

Gosh man, I was going to say the opposite! I've lived in a lot of places and I LOVE Birmingham. We have lots of parks, great schools in the suburbs, tons to do outdoors, a rapidly growing city center, and affordable housing. We have good museums, awesome medical facilities, and we get actual concerts. We have the Barrons and minor league hockey is coming back. We have great hiking and we're close to Atlanta and Nashville if you need something bigger for a weekend. The traffic here is not nearly as bad as some of the places I've lived. That's for sure.

 

I edited my map even more lol. for me when purchasing my home, green was #1 areas. blue #2. red NO GO.

 

Lol that's a good area if you are trying to stay close. Remember he may already have a 30 minute commute sitting in traffic, so he may be able to move to a place a little more out and get a lot of bang for his buck, and have the same commute.

 

I'm from Huntsville as well. Been working up here for about a year and half for a defense contractor. Like many have said, there is no shortage of work to be had around here. My wife and I recently bought a house out in Madison, we like it so far but will definitely be moving out of town in about ten years or so when I can find some land to build on. I would say if you can buy a house that's in the Madison City school system you'll be golden as far as education for your kid and resale value for your house.

 

110% agree with your summation. It really boils down to, do you want country living, or city living?

 

hahaha that's comically accurate.

I've been in Alabama my whole life. Born in Mobile, Auburn for college, Huntsville after graduation and been there ever since (3 years). I've never lived in bham or montgomery but I've been to both many times. Montgomery is pretty weak. Bham is huge (dense) and cool in some places if you like the city life but not so much if you don't.

I personally like Huntsville a lot. It's up and coming where as the other big cities in Alabama are dwindling.

As far as places to check out in Huntsville I'd say first and foremost south east huntsville. So Big Cove and the surrounding areas on the map above. It's the priciest area but also the nicest imo. Another area I like is west of madison. Not west madison but ever farther out, past the airport into the farm fields north of 565. Not even shown on the map above. Good bit of new development out there. Feels like you are out in the country but you're still within a 20 minute drive to most everything around.

 

Boi, why ain't you in the Alabama thread?

 

haha I've posted in there before asking about stoney lonesome. I'll have to drop in more often. Need to meet some new people to go wheelin with up here

 

Come to black mountain this weekend!