Relocating to Fort payne, AL (rentals, buying a home, employment)

douglauri · 07-23-2008, 11:14 AM

We are mobile dog groomers. I don't know if there are any in Fort Payne. The advantage is that we can make our own jobs, in a way. My husband can fix almost anything and he is a heavy equipment operator. I really hope that income won't be an issue. I have waited for this since I was stationed at Fort McClellan in the summer of '86.
5 days left
Lauri

douglauri · 08-07-2008, 08:23 AM

Well I waited to reply about our trip because I am just bursting. I don't know where to begin. If anyone has something specific they want to know about just bring it up, otherwise I will just have to ramble.
The scenery is beautiful. Not as striking as the Anniston area but still worth the trip. Big fluffy white clouds rolling up the other side of the mountain. Storms visible in the distance. The abundance of lush greenery, those bushes with the pink flowers everywhere! Lining the streets, lining the sidewalks, in yards, everywhere.
The food. You have to search for salads but you can have pork chops for breakfast! We don't have sawmill gravy here or country fried steak(also for breakfast) here.We found the 'Country Boy Grill' although the name of the place we were told to look for was 'Country Boys Cafe' didn't find that. Are they the same thing? They were only open a month so it's not finished being decorated yet. The food was very simple country cooking as the name implies. We really liked Tiffany and her husband and we went there several times. Tiffany made hot tea for me by microwaving unsweetened tea that they make for sweet tea in huge pots. We also went to Cracker Barrel and Waffle House. We liked them both. Waffle House hasn't been updated since 1967(same schedule as Fort Payne Inn) but there is a lot of charm in that and if you sit at the counter you could tap the cook on the shoulder.
We went to Desoto Falls but the water level is down so there was more of a trickle than a fall. In the spring it is probably more robust.We drove a scenic highway that has lots of places to pull over and gaze at the mountains and rocks and the Little River. The trees have grown to the point where the pull offs are the only opportunity for views.
We went to Sequoyah Caverns. That was very nice. Interesting formations and a great guide. His name is Nick. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Nick was sure to point out the crayfish and frog that have made the caverns there home.
They have a nice gift shop and there is a woodcarvers cabin where you can buy his work and watch him work. Don't remember his name but he's from New Jersey. A lot of the people we met are not from Fort Payne or even Alabama. They came through the area for various reasons and stayed. Everyone was very nice and very helpful and the locals all know each other.
We had a little trouble finding some of the houses because the GPS doesn't like it when you ask for a county road. It is much happier if it has an actual road name. We couldn't have done this trip without it. If you're going on a trip like this get one. They are not expensive anymore.
Although there were a lot of empty shops but there are also lots of open shops with some very nice new, even high end stuff. There are also lots of antique or old stuff type shops with tons of great things. Oh yeah we also ate at the Strand or Stage Door Grill. There you can shop for antiques while you wait for your food.
Well we were only there three days but it was packed with activity. The job market will not be an issue. My husband would have been hired at two places if we were staying and there are only stationary groomers, no mobiles, so that will be a boon too.
Now just gotta sell this house.
OK. I'm done for now.
Any questions?

douglauri · 08-07-2008, 09:39 AM

Forgot the Wildflower Cafe! Also recommended by this board. What a place!
Eclectic is a word that had to be made up to describe this restaurant. First of all the front door is around back. I'm not kidding. There is a weed garden. On purpose. It was very nice with good specimens. The menu is by the day and what there is available. A few appetizers, starters, entrees, sides and dessert. One Page. Really good food. High quality, perfectly cooked, well seasoned, nicely presented. The whole package. You can also shop for art and pottery and nutritional supplements while you wait. What's with that? There is a local girl who is going to Nashville to be a country star. Her name is Maimie Joe so look for her in the future. She was there in the cafe that night to sing! What a treat. She is a beautiful girl with a great voice and she already looks like a star.
OK. I'm done again.
Lauri

Ynot · 08-10-2008, 05:00 AM

I'm so glad to hear you had a terrific time visiting Ft. Payne, DougLauri. BTW those weren't "weeds" in the garden, but fresh herbs and you were at the right cafe with Country Boy Grill. Sounds like you packed quite a bit into your stay. So, have you started planning your move yet?

Shalako · 08-10-2008, 08:28 AM

Ft. Payne is really laid back. Mostly good people. The economy is not good due to the Sock plants closing so if you need to work tht can be a problem. Employment prospects aren't good in the general area. Great area to livethough if you don't need a job.

douglauri · 08-12-2008, 11:27 AM

Thanks so much for the restaurant tips. Very helpful.
We left there with two job possibilities. If we had stayed my husband would have had his pick. He is experienced in ALL facets of construction from site prep to plumbing to electric to interior finish. He is also an experienced welder. The fact that he is multi talented seemed to intrigue people. Funny, huh?
Here you have to multi task to survive.
We did pack a lot into our stay and we did have a really good time. The trouble is now I want to go to Wildflower for dinner this weekend and I miss having breakfast at Tiffany's (Country Boy Grill). Is that too far to go for breakfast and dinner?
We have to sell our house first. No other way. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.
Lauri

Xanna · 10-28-2008, 12:41 PM

We moved from Fla to Ft. Payne three years ago, but were familiar with the area havning lived in DeKalb County for many years prior to Fla move. It is a beautiful area, with wonderful people. It is true that the ecconomy suffered with the loss of many sock mills. But it has been my observation that many of the possitions held in the mills were by women as a second income for the family. They were well paid and it was definitely a problem for those jobs to dry up. However, some mills still are in existence and it seems many people have found employment somewhere in the area and many works remained in the area. I found the "rich" mill owners very nice and never saw any of the attitude mention above. And I was never rich now or then. I CHOSE to return to this area as retirement approaches. I loved FL too but found my heart belong to the mountains. There seem to be wonderful people everywhere.

Woodzman · 10-30-2008, 11:57 AM

We just moved to Fort Payne from Mesa Arizona. We had the same probles that your haveing about the kids fitting in. Well, all I can say is kids do adjust. Our son has had more problems with one of the teachers than he has with the kids. We built our house in the city and we are now begaining to enjoy the area around fort payne. It is layed back alot "compaired to Phoenix" The hardest thing for us is if you need something you just can't go to town and get it. You have to go to Chattanooga or B'ham...I'm not sure what you want to know. If you have any questions email me and I'll try and help. So far for us, SO GOOD. :-) Woodzman :-)

stillett · 07-24-2009, 03:54 PM

[mod]comment [/mod] Do NOT under any circumstances stay here.

douglauri · 07-26-2009, 05:36 AM

We did not sell the house but we feel it will show better if it is empty. It is a small house and just a little furniture makes it feel crowded. There are only a few tiny closets so it feels like everything is out. Almost impossible to de-clutter and de-personalize. We also have a big scary dog. He is crated when people come to look at the house but the very first thing that greets them is his bark. Not a good first impression.
In April we bought a mobile home in Blanche. We were aiming for Fort Payne but that will have to be the next time we move. This is just a cute little house to get established in the area.
We are on a similar forum to this that is grooming related. Apparently people drive from our area to Huntsville to get their dogs groomed! The groomer in Huntsville who is also on the grooming board is going to refer her clients from our area to us. Yay! I will also join the Chamber of Commerce so we can get the word out that we are open for business.
We will be signing off this morning to start our drive.
I will check in when we get the internet hooked up.
Thanks to all of you for the support and kindness.
Lauri