Mobile or Huntsville? (Birmingham, Prichard, Daphne: property taxes, homes, rent)

[AQUEMINI331]

I live in Chicago now but I lived in Alabama for over 20 years. Let me offer my two cents -


If you're looking for a city with a strong economy, strong housing market, and low crime, look at Huntsville. That's your best option statewide. In all practical ways Huntsville is the best choice. IMO however the natural beauty of the surrounding areas is attractive but does not compare to the Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay. Also, climate may be a factor for you. I know Alabama is not as cold as Michigan, but the climate does vary depending on where in the state you live. If you live in North Alabama (where Huntsville is) you will experience very light snowfall (think 1-3" year) but the main story will be the cold. Many times it will be more than cold enough to snow but it won't. So that's a good thing if you don't like snow, but the point is it will not be warm in the winter and you will still need your coat, hat, gloves, etc. when you move to Huntsville. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Alabama was in Madison County (where Huntsville is located), and that was 27 degrees below zero!



If you can deal with more crime and a slightly weaker economy (but still good compared to Michigan) in exchange for warmer weather and proximity to the beaches, move to Mobile. And keep in mind that proximity to the beach means being right in the middle of hurricane territory for six months out of the year. But to be fair, I don't think the Gulf Coast has had anything more than a tropical storm or Cat 1 hurricane since 2005, the year that Katrina, Dennis, and Rita hit. And of course Mobile, being in South Alabama, is not cold at all even during the winter. I don't think it gets below freezing down there, if it does, it'll be barely below it. Anything below 25 degrees would be highly unusual in that part of the state, whereas it'd be quite common during this time of year in North Alabama.


If you can deal with a city whose crime rate rivals Detroit and Flint's in exchange for a strong economy, urban life and amenities, and beautiful terrain, then go for Birmingham. Put simply, Birmingham's strong points are really strong but its ugly side is really ugly. Birmingham is kind of bipolar, it can either be really ugly or really beautiful, both physically and in terms of the people and the neighborhoods themselves.


I think all three of these cities will pleasantly surprise you, especially Birmingham and Mobile. Huntsville's appeal is more subtle and you may have to actually live there to fully appreciate its good qualites. It's not the kind of place that will wow you or fascinate you in any way. I know, I went to college there.


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[neednewscenery]

Thanks for all the input and advice. I work in the federal government and I am trying to get a transfer to AL. I'm looking to rent for the first year or two until I get to know the area. Another reason why I will rent is because I don't think I'll be able to sell my house anytime soon. I'm looking for a good public high school because I don't think I can afford private along with house mortgage and rent. It looks like Huntsville will probably be the place I shoot for. I want to keep my son in mind while deciding a location. While I may love the really slow pace, he may not and boredom tends to get teens into trouble if you're not careful.

[Keeper]

Since you will be concerned about schools you need to know finding a good school in Mobile will be harder than in Huntsville area. Many ppl live in Baldwin county because the schools are better.

While it does get cold in Huntsville, it is in the mid teens here today, we don't get snow every year. It snowed here enough to cover the ground in 06 and it was gone by the next day. Mobile gets more rain and more humid like FL.

Mobile is getting a big steel plant which will help the economy. Huntsville is a tech center and is expecting a hugh influx of ppl due to the expansion of Redstone Arsenal starting next year.

I love Mobile for the history,the beautiful homes and the scenery. I was born and raised there.
I love Huntsville for the mountains, Guntersville Lake and the 4 seasons. I live in a small town outside of H'ville and I love the fact there is very little crime. Housing is cheap compared to FL where I lived previously.

Here is a link to City-data AL cities, where you can compare both
Alabama Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents)

[AQUEMINI331]

I think Huntsville is your best bet, especially since you told me that you're working for the feds. It would've been a good choice for you even if you weren't, but that kind of seals the deal in my mind. Lot of Dept. of Defense people in Huntsville, as well as a large military (particularly Army) presence there.


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[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by AQUEMINI331

I think Huntsville is your best bet, especially since you told me that you're working for the feds. It would've been a good choice for you even if you weren't, but that kind of seals the deal in my mind. Lot of Dept. of Defense people in Huntsville, as well as a large military (particularly Army) presence there.


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I don't think you know what you talking about. Mobile has a great economy Mobile ports have undergone there largest expansion in history, the nations largest steel mill is being build there, dale earnhart motor speedway, beaches recieved record breaking tourism this year, Northdrop Grumman planning to build the KC - 30 at brookley field.I currently live in Huntsville and it's a boring city.But it might fit your interest, personally I think it has no character or culture.

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I don't think you know what you talking about. Mobile has a great economy Mobile ports have undergone there largest expansion in history, the nations largest steel mill is being build there, dale earnhart motor speedway, beaches recieved record breaking tourism this year, Northdrop Grumman planning to build the KC - 30 at brookley field.I currently live in Huntsville and it's a boring city.But it might fit your interest, personally I think it has no character or culture.

What an interesting debate! Certainly both places have many things to offer...Mobile is indeed booming and Huntsville remains very strong as well...

This is why Alabama has the 6th lowest unemployment rate in the nation....a hot economy pretty much from top to bottom.

[Bama`s Port]

I`m originaly from Mobile , I`m a student in Huntsville . Both cities are great but Mobile has more charecter and culture and is a lot more exciting . The economy is great in both cites and mobile is experincing a boo, there are good and bad public schools in Mobile just like any other city . I saw a forumer mentioned a crime in Mobile, but Huntsville has problems as well and the crime rate in H-ville is rising . I like Huntsville but when I finish I`m moving back to Mobile . I was home (Mobile) for the Christmas break and I missed the water and the best sea food and Italian restaurants this state has to offer .

[mimpdaddy]

Honesty both cities are good, it depends on what you like.Coming from Michigan I dont think Huntsville will be that much different, but Mobile will be a whole new scenery. Huntsville doesn't have many people originally from the area, which you might like.Mobile on the otherhand is deep in culture. Many people like Huntsville because it gives them a feeling of being safe and thats cool.But Mobile is a bigger city and might seem to have more crime but I have family there and their neighborhood is nice and quiet. People fail to mention Huntsville had 5 murders in the last two weeks, and try to sell you on safety, I say live your life and enjoy it because crime is everywhere.

[banshee9]

I do not know much about Huntsville but can speak about Mobile. I grew up in Mobile and currently live on th eastern shore in Fairhope. I completely agree with other post about Mobile. The public schools in Mobile are hit and miss at best. Crime is a serious problem in parts of the city. When my son became shool age I moved across the bay. The schools in Fairhope are great but affordable housing can be tough to find. I commute to work in Mobile which is about a thirty minute drive depending on traffic. If possible you should vist both places. Would reccomend Huntsville but I've never been there. Good luck in whatever decision you come to!

[AQUEMINI331]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Honesty both cities are good, it depends on what you like.Coming from Michigan I dont think Huntsville will be that much different, but Mobile will be a whole new scenery. Huntsville doesn't have many people originally from the area, which you might like.Mobile on the otherhand is deep in culture. Many people like Huntsville because it gives them a feeling of being safe and thats cool.But Mobile is a bigger city and might seem to have more crime but I have family there and their neighborhood is nice and quiet. People fail to mention Huntsville had 5 murders in the last two weeks, and try to sell you on safety, I say live your life and enjoy it because crime is everywhere.

Huntsville has nothing comparable to Prichard, Chickasaw, etc. I'm actually surprised Huntsville had 5 murders in 2 weeks considering the fact that when I was there for a couple of years ago, they'd get 5 murders in a WHOLE YEAR. Compared to someplace like slightly larger Birmingham which was good for 100 + year. I don't know what Mobile's exact numbers are but I've been down there and have seen the worst parts of that city and many of its low income neighborhoods remind me of Birmingham, though obviously Birmingham is considerably worse.


I definitely agree that Mobile has more culture and is more interesting than Huntsville. I never said that WASN'T the case, that's a given. But the OP didn't ask about "culture" or which city was more interesting - she wanted to know about more practical aspects of everyday life like crime rate, school systems, etc. And in those areas Mobile falls short of Huntsville though I agree that Mobile is a much more beautiful city with the bay and the Gulf being right there. And Mardi Gras is pretty big down there, especially since New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration isn't quite the same post-Katrina.


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