[KittKhatt]

My husband and I have visited Mentone and really like the area. We would like to know more about the area and welcome all comments. Moving from NJ and being used to having malls within a short driving distance of where we live, I would also like to know where most people from the Mentone area go when they want to shop at a mall.

[GreggT]

The best choices are either Chattanooga or Huntsville. Personally we like Huntsville the best.

[CoreLysium]

Mentone is not near Chattanooga very much, but you have I-59 that'll get you there.

If you want good shopping, you don't want Mentone. Heck, you'll be driving to Ft Payne to by groceries.

I've lived in the Huntsville/Madison area most of my life. It's nice. I'd check it out. Though Huntsville tries to transcend the southern feel of the south and does a fairly good job of it since most people aren't from there. We do suffer from too many chain restaurants and too little independent. But the independent ones are pretty good. I've been using yelp.com to find some places that are out of the way and have had some really good meals lately.

[GreggT]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

Mentone is not near Chattanooga very much, but you have I-59 that'll get you there.

Yes about an hour away via I59 or about 50-55 miles

If you want good shopping, you don't want Mentone. Heck, you'll be driving to Ft Payne to by groceries.

Yes again, Fort Payne is almost 15 minutes away

I've lived in the Huntsville/Madison area most of my life. It's nice. I'd check it out. Though Huntsville tries to transcend the southern feel of the south and does a fairly good job of it since most people aren't from there. We do suffer from too many chain restaurants and too little independent. But the independent ones are pretty good. I've been using yelp.com to find some places that are out of the way and have had some really good meals lately.

It's all according to what the OP is looking for, peace and quiet, friendly neighbors, store owners and the folks at the post office all know their names, Mentone is a great place. It is NOT completely in the boonies. If one is looking for shopping and malls close by try Huntsville, Chattanooga, and what about the Atlanta area, off course you would have to give up all the positives a place like Mentone has to offer.

[harry chickpea]

Heh. The closest thing to a mall is the Walmart in Ft. Payne.

Mentone is an interesting place. Think of it as an underdeveloped tourist destination, with all that that appellation implies. I urge you to do your homework before jumping. Jobs in rural areas are low paying and can be hard to come by. Alabama taxes food, and once you beginning equalizing out costs the differences might not be quite as much as you expect. Meth is a problem, and DeKalb County gets in the news regularly. You will have a culture shock as far as activities and church.

I don't have a lot of good feeling about Chattanooga -sorry Tennessee, it just impresses me as a grungy city with insane drivers. For the type of shopping experience you are likely used to, you'll need to hit Birmingham or Atlanta with a day trip or overnight stay. Huntsville is fine for small city shopping.

[cpg35223]

On a day like this where it's 103, Mentone sounds awfully good. My son's Boy Scout camp was up there. I remember driving through Ft. Payne when it was 96 degrees and, 15 minutes later, arriving in Mentone and it being 75. Amazing what several hundred feet of altitude wil do.

[Granny Sue]

I just returned from the area and I loved the Mentone area.
Fort Payne can provide your shopping for your basic needs but any major shopping would have to be Chattanooga or Huntsville.

We clocked the Mall in Chattanooga at a little less than one hour. I like Sam's also..from Fort Payne, it was a tie at 50 minutes between Chatt and Roma Ga.

We met a wonderful Realtor if your interested I'll give you her name.

[just-me-in-tn]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Heh. The closest thing to a mall is the Walmart in Ft. Payne.

Mentone is an interesting place. Think of it as an underdeveloped tourist destination, with all that that appellation implies. I urge you to do your homework before jumping. Jobs in rural areas are low paying and can be hard to come by. Alabama taxes food, and once you beginning equalizing out costs the differences might not be quite as much as you expect. Meth is a problem, and DeKalb County gets in the news regularly. You will have a culture shock as far as activities and church.

I don't have a lot of good feeling about Chattanooga -sorry Tennessee, it just impresses me as a grungy city with insane drivers. For the type of shopping experience you are likely used to, you'll need to hit Birmingham or Atlanta with a day trip or overnight stay. Huntsville is fine for small city shopping.

I don't like Chattanooga, either. It reminds me of an overgrown, West Virginia mining town.

[KittKhatt]

Thanks for your input. Being from NJ I am used to many many malls.....I have driven through Huntsville and although I am a city girl, I found it to be very chaotic...dont know if I could get used to it......at my age now I really just want peace and quiet and the stillness that I think Mentone as to offer.

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by KittKhatt

Thanks for your input. Being from NJ I am used to many many malls.....I have driven through Huntsville and although I am a city girl, I found it to be very chaotic...dont know if I could get used to it......at my age now I really just want peace and quiet and the stillness that I think Mentone as to offer.

We're coming up from Orlando so I understand completely. Good Luck!