From California to the Bible Belt (Birmingham: home, moving to, community)

[fishmonger]

Originally Posted by Gtown_TN

Alabama is a joke notwithstanding perhaps Huntsville. I lived in Vestavia outside Bham and still own a piece of prop there, I would never want to live in that place again ! Huntsville, well yes, heck, I'd even consider a place like Dothan area before Birmingham...and yep I know a bunch of the old players in Bham area too folks like Pizitz, Goldstein, Harberts, Samfords, Ferlisi's, Shaia's, Bruno, etc etc etc etc, just pass on the Bham or Montgomery (yuk) area

Man... what's with all the Birmingham bashing on this forum? It ain't that bad. Not nearly as boring as Huntsville, at least...

[formadmirer]

Take it from someone who knows. First strike, I am a Democrat. Second strike, I am not a religious person. Third and final strike, I am not originally from this area.

As such you WILL NOT be accepted in Alabama. Expect to be treated as a leper - at work, at play, in restaurants, wherever you go.

I have lived in a lot of areas, more than just those listed above, but have never lived around such close-minded judgemental people as I have since moving to AL. Hypocrisy is a way of life here.

Lucky for us we just bought a home in Nevada and will be moving in January.

Thank the Lord for We are Free at Last!!!

[1stimesouth]

I am from the north and have lived in seven different states and three different countries and I have NEVER experianced so much in-your-face religion as I've seen here in Huntsville. Nothing has been offensive to me, just WAY above of what I consider ordinary or polite (and sometimes even comfortable with). Not reason enough not to come to this cool city. We need the diversity!! :-)

[steveb8140]

My family and I moved here 3 months ago from Ventura County, California. In the time we visited and since we moved, we have not met ANY rude people, everyone has been very helpful and welcoming, and it has truly been a refreshing change from the chaotic, "everything revolves around me" mentality of SoCal. It appears that some of the people posting here came to the area and brought their "beautiful people" mentality with them. If so, they will NEVER be accepted or happy. We live in Valley Grande, a small (pop. 4,000) town about 7 miles north of Selma and 50 miles due west of Montgomery. Housing is relatively inexpensive, compared to California, and readily available. We purchased a 4,200 sq ft Antebellum home on 10 acres of grass and forest. My family agrees that it is the best move we could have made. No one has questioned our religion (or lack of), or our politics (we just had an election and got input from some people on both sides, made our own decision). My granddaughter started high school and within 1 week was already involved with a circle of friends and we now have teenagers in and out of the house constantly. Things I have noticed here:
Parents tend to be more aware of who, what, where, and when their children are involved in. This, to me, is aggood thing. You won't find anywhere near the juvenile crime rate as in California.
Children of all ages are raised and expected to be polite not only with adults but with each other.
People in general tend to look out for one another. Some people see this as getting into other people's business but I see it as looking out for your neighbor.
Youth activities are a big thing and so is parental involvement.
People who provide goods and services are invariably appreciative of your business and if you are told someone will do something by a certain time, you can take that to the bank. People here take great pride in being known for keeping their word.
If there are any other questions, feel free to Email me.

[marysally]

It is very nice to hear that someone else has had the same pleasant experience in AL since moving here from out of state.
To the person who felt discriminated against because he is a Democrat, I can only point out that in the most recent election there were many Democrats who were elected to state wide offices, including the Lt Governor. Also the US Rep for my district is a Democrat who has held the seat for a number of years and in fact was unopposed this time because the Republicans knew that he could not be defeated. My feeling is that although there may be more registered Republicans than Democrats, the majority of people are independents like me who vote for the best candidates regardless of party.
Although religion probably is more prevalent here than in other parts of the country, I, like Steve, have never felt ANY pressure to participate. My only advice to anyone who is unhappy where they live is to move to where you feel more comfortable.

[astrogirl]

Originally Posted by steveb8140

My family and I moved here 3 months ago from Ventura County, California. In the time we visited and since we moved, we have not met ANY rude people, everyone has been very helpful and welcoming, and it has truly been a refreshing change from the chaotic, "everything revolves around me" mentality of SoCal. It appears that some of the people posting here came to the area and brought their "beautiful people" mentality with them. If so, they will NEVER be accepted or happy. We live in Valley Grande, a small (pop. 4,000) town about 7 miles north of Selma and 50 miles due west of Montgomery. Housing is relatively inexpensive, compared to California, and readily available. We purchased a 4,200 sq ft Antebellum home on 10 acres of grass and forest. My family agrees that it is the best move we could have made. No one has questioned our religion (or lack of), or our politics (we just had an election and got input from some people on both sides, made our own decision). My granddaughter started high school and within 1 week was already involved with a circle of friends and we now have teenagers in and out of the house constantly. Things I have noticed here:
Parents tend to be more aware of who, what, where, and when their children are involved in. This, to me, is aggood thing. You won't find anywhere near the juvenile crime rate as in California.
Children of all ages are raised and expected to be polite not only with adults but with each other.
People in general tend to look out for one another. Some people see this as getting into other people's business but I see it as looking out for your neighbor.
Youth activities are a big thing and so is parental involvement.
People who provide goods and services are invariably appreciative of your business and if you are told someone will do something by a certain time, you can take that to the bank. People here take great pride in being known for keeping their word.
If there are any other questions, feel free to Email me.

We too are from Ventura Co (Simi) and are seriously considering retiring to Huntsville in several years. In deciding to move South, we understand that we are moving to their area and so we must adapt, not them. Yes, we are liberal, non-religious, blue voters (imagine that from the home of the Reagan Presidential Library!) but we also believe most people everywhere are just plain decent folk who just want to be happy and content. And for the those that take it a step too far, well, they're some everywhere and you just politely deal with it, let it roll off your back, and agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Maybe that's too optimistic, but that's how we plan to deal with those differences.

[sunrico90]

Very good point that will allow for lots of discussion....


1) Religion
Can you deal with the strong brand of religion that will be very pervasive? Can you deal with that they may never accept your difference?

I must say that most of the communities are very open to all religions and accept everyone.

2) Poliltics
Can you deal with a sea of Red all around you come election time and when the results are announced and that your Blue candidate(s) have little chance to win. Can you deal with that your neighbors may not accept that you hold a different political belief?

Yes, most of the individuals that understand the political process are well aware of this situation. I live in a military town, so is easy for us to deal with this situation...


3) Social Culture
Can you deal with the difference in how friendships, relationships are formed? Can you deal with how diversity is embraced or not embraced? Can you deal with how your gay friends may or may not be treated well.
The social-cultural sociaty has to be current to continue to grow and get ahead. Changes from traditional issues is now an everyday event. Keeping informed, open to new ideas and flexible is a must...

The list goes on very long but these are important questions to ask yourself when you move away to any state/city and it's not just reserved for Alabama. I think that too many people are so overzealously worked up about home prices, particularly if you come from a very expensive place like CA but if you can't accept the change and fit in, it wouldn't matter if that house is $10, you'd be miserable.

[lifechanges]

Hello Folks,

I'm one of those darn Yankees....I was born in Cleveland, OH.
As was my daughter. (And she sounds more southern than most)
I have also lived in NB, AL, GA, FL. I was born and raised Catholic.
Many bad things have happened to me in different towns.
But I believe that God has taught us intollerance and forgivness.
I do not understand anyone that can on one hand preach........
religion and feel hate.
If we can't love our neighbors how can we love other nations.
I am moving to Cookeville from Panama City, FL.
I will still be the same good person I am. But because my parents were Catholic and from OH I will forever be a Yankee.
I am not a city girl, never have been. I treat all people with respect.
I am taught to not live in the past but yet we follow the teachings from a book written thousands of years ago. I love God but a church building has nothing to do with that.
The bible belt is what they called Florence, AL and I lived there for 7 years.
I am hoping that I will meet wonderful people get a good job and live my life.
What FL has taught me is greed of others can turn a whole town upside down.
God made me and he made you and he doesn't make junk so lets all just get along.
:>)

[zenjenn]

Ok I'm delayed in responding to this thread, but I am also a Californian who just moved to Alabama (Huntsville) a few months ago.

I am religious, but I'm Jewish, and while I joined a synagogue I practice more at home (as is the case with many Jews). I have never once felt judged or anything like that. There is definitely more of a religious influence here than in California, but I have also met plenty of non-religious folks in Huntsville, including native Southerners.

The only sticking point I think might really bother some Californians is if you are one of those Californians that gets offended by people who are more visibly religious. If you get offended by "God Bless America" signs/stickers, get offended when people you meet say things like "Well thank the Lord <this or that>" or "the good Lord knew what he was doing when this or that happened to me", and things like that. That is the thing here - in California some people would get very annoyed by people vocal about religion like that. It would be *those* people that would be the outcast that everyone snubbed at. Here, even the most non-religious person I know isn't offended by that kind of person in the least. They just accept that that is the way people are and they can respect that person for who they are. The only people who are really annoyed by stuff like that are.. surprise, transplants who are not happy to be living in Alabama.

Maybe in smaller areas or even smaller circles you might be judged for being nonreligious? I dunno. But in any case, there is a large and diverse enough population in Huntsville where you can easily find a social circle that will accept and appreciate you for who you are. I would imagine the same is true for just about any mid-sized to large American city/metro area in 2008.

[Keeper]

It isn't just Florence that is considered the bible belt it pretty much N. Al.
Just don't take offense when someone invites you to their church. If you say 'Thank you but I am catholic' they aren't going to think anything of it. That is just the way ppl are here.

If you are friendly to others, I don't think you will have a problem.

One of our posters moved to Guntersville from NY. They have made friends in their neighborhood, made it a point to go to newcomers meetings to meet ppl.

Good Luck.. keep posting we are here to help