[1111tmw]

I would like to relocate from expensive FL to affordable AL. I am looking for a safe, charming small town.....preferably near a large lake....good public schools are a must....low-cost-of-living, target population (10k-30k people).

Any suggestions of a town that meets these criteria?

[Keeper]

There are several small towns near Lake Guntersville. I live in Arab 10 minutes from Lake Guntersville. Top rated schools and home prices are very reasonable. Very safe with little crime. I moved here from Tampa and I love it. HOI and property taxes are LOW.. My teenage grandsons from Tampa love it here. Both play HS football and have lots of friends. Very high college scholarships awarded to HS students in Arab compared to the number of students.
Guntersville surrounds the Lake. Home prices vary depending how close you are to the lake and schools are pretty good. A little more crime and traffic than Arab but nothing like you experience in FL. Guntersville, Albertville and Boaz run together on hwy 431.

N. AL is in the bible belt so depending on the town, it may be 'dry' like Arab, or 'wet' like Guntersville and be in the same county.
What about employment, is that a concern? Arab is 25 minutes from Huntsville and 55 minutes to B'ham. There are no malls or movie theaters in the smaller towns but there are lots of stores and you aren't that far from malls or movie theaters.

Check out valleymls.com for homes in N. AL. If you tell us more, we can tell you what area might work for you. If you have any questions you will find the ppl on this board very helpful and true southern hospitality.

[1111tmw]

Thank you so much. Arab sounds like exactly what we are looking for. I am a teacher and my husband is a computer programmer who can work remotely, so we are fairly portable....or is it difficult to get a teaching job in Arab (math MS or HS)?

We won't be moving for a year or so, but will plan a trip sometime in early 08...I'll bookmark the website you sent and call before we come.

Any neighborhoods to avoid and/or neighborhoods that are really nice for young kids.

I loved the property tax and home price medians!! I am paying over 4K for property taxes on my modest 1200sf home in FL!!

[Historic Bessemer]

Pell City, Shelby, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Thosby, Jemison, Clanton, Hokes Bluff, Peidmont, Centre, Adger, Concord, Demopolis, Autagaville/Pine Level...........I fish bass tournaments all over our great state so I spend alot of time in cities arond the lakes and rivers..........the aforementioned cities are ones that I have lived in or would like to live in!

[Keeper]

In Arab, there really isn't a 'bad' part of town, at least not what you are use to in Tpa. A bad part of town here is maybe 2 blocks of older run down homes. Check out city-data info..
Arab, Alabama (AL) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Arab proper is around 7,500 people but the surrounding area is around 14,500.

There are a lot of activities for kids especially sports and a big city park.

HOI is even better... I pay less than $700.00 a year for $140K policy. Property tax..less than $200.00 a year.

There are a lot of great areas in AL..and the people are so nice..

[Bravo35223]

Lake Guntersville is particularly beautiful....I think you will be very pleased when you take your trip to Arab....

[Keeper]

check out the photos posted for AL.. granted the ones I took are not the best, but you can see some of the things we love about AL.

[Southlander]

Decatur is located on Wheeler Lake, a section of the mighty Tennessee River. We'd love to have you. While there are no homes that overlook the river, several areas are very close. When I was a child, we would roam around the adjacent section of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, fishing in the river backwaters. Please check us out at Welcome to Decatur-Morgan County, Alabama: Great Schools, High Quality of Life and Low Cost of Living in Decatur, Alabama, Hartselle, Alabama and more.

[Historic Bessemer]

Most of the Tenn/Tom waterway cities are great. My wish is to retire to the Upper arm of the coosa river around Hokes Bluff/Gadsden area............such beautiful country!

The Guntersville / Albertville area is nice also............but for me, In 20 minutes I can pass 4 different impoundments and Guntersville is less than 30 min away!

[Nikidann]

My family has decided to move to Arab and everything should be finalized before May....we are definately excited,especiall with the school system.
City of Arab, Alabama : Information Resources for Arab Residents and Visitors. and Arab Alabama - Welcome tell alot about the area....