Possibly moving to Muscle Shoals. Need info about the town and surrounding towns, Please!! (Huntsville: relocating)

[cjcca4]

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving! My husband and I are thinking about relocating to Muscle Shoals (or surrounding areas) and we just wanted to know what others that live there think about the area. We have 3 children ages 10, 7 and 2, so great schools are a must. We just need some info, some honest info. So any input you can give me would be great! Thanks so much and God Bless!

[Southlander]

First, search this forum for "Muscle Shoals," "Florence," "Sheffield" and "Tuscumbia." There are a number of posts.

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by cjcca4

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving! My husband and I are thinking about relocating to Muscle Shoals (or surrounding areas) and we just wanted to know what others that live there think about the area. We have 3 children ages 10, 7 and 2, so great schools are a must. We just need some info, some honest info. So any input you can give me would be great! Thanks so much and God Bless!

Tell us a little more about yourself....what do you do for a living? HOw much can you spend on a home?

[cjcca4]

Well my husband works for a company that does contract maintenance for a paper mill and if we moved he would be working at Wise Alloys. I am currently in college to obtain an elementary education degree. I have been looking online at the housing in Muscle Shoals and I know we would like a house 2000 sq. ft. or larger. The range I have been looking in is $175,000 and under. I have read a lot of posts on here that there has been no economic growth in Muscle Shoals. We like outdoor stuff like Fishing and camping. We spend most of our time where we live now going to our children's sports activities. I just do not want to move to a place that is completely dead. We spend time with family, work and go to church and that is about it! Thanks for all the info anyone sends my way!

[Southlander]

You will fit perfectly in that area! Children's sports are very important. I know Florence has good schools...not so sure about Muscle Shoals (remember, Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals are so close together they run into each other...the area is know as the "Quad Cities" or the "Shoals Area"). Economic development has been lagging in NW Alabama, but with the railcar plant coming in, things are picking up a bit. The University of North Alabama is a small 4-year institution that began as a teachers college and turns out excellent teachers. It also has good programs in music and business. You're also in a good area for outdoor recreation. Welcome!

[pennquaker09]

My mom is from that area and if you had more money to spend, I would say buy a home in Muscle Shoals. They seem to overprice the homes to keep the undesirables (read: minorities) out. And it's unfortunate because Muscle Shoals has the best elementary schools in the Shoals area.

Personally, I would buy a house in Florence. You'll get a lot more for your money, the schools are more diverse and everything is in Florence anyway. I would concentrate on northern Florence. Since I lived in Hoover, I personally hated the entire Shoals area because all you can do is go to church, the bank, or walmart.

[KevK]

In Muscle Shoals they got the swamppers. And they've been known to pick a song or two. Lord they get me off so much! They pick me up when I'm feelin blue. Now how bout you?

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by cjcca4

We like outdoor stuff like Fishing and camping....I just do not want to move to a place that is completely dead.

Another poster's assertion that there is nothing to do in the Shoals area is total nonsense. Sounds like you and your family will find plenty of things to keep you occupied. NW Alabama is a paradise for all outdoor activities (I actually prefer it to Huntsville and points east) and housing is extremely reasonable. Good luck in your decision and I'm sure you will find something that you absolutely love

[Bravo35223]

I think that you would like the area very much given the potential job there and your need to get a degree. UNA is a qood quality regional university and while the growth has indeed lagged there - it is indeed picking up steam lately...

It IS a beautiful area located on Wheeler Lake/Tennessee River with lots to do for those who like to hunt and fish.

I'd recommend it for you....

[pennquaker09]

It's definitely not dead, but if hunting and fishing and going to church is something you love, then it's totally great. Joe Wheeler is probably an hour away so you can go camping there.

And if you're studying to be a teacher, UNA is the best place to get a teaching credential in the entire state. And you would definitely be able to find a job because elementary ed teachers are needed.

I'd say the mall is okay. It has a Sears, JC Penney, Belk, and Dillards. Of course, Florence has the infamous Super Wal-Mart (evil), Target, Best Buy, Kmart, etc. But if you have more upscale taste, you'll have to travel to Huntsville or the mall in Cool Springs, TN.

Having been raised in Hoover and Mountain Brook, I was kinda surprised to see the number of luxury vehicles in Florence the last time I visited. So, the area is definitely coming up.

All in all, I think it's a great area, if I ever hit my head and decided to move back to Alabama, I would consider living there.