[mimpdaddy]

Me personally, I love Mobile, but Huntsville is alright if you are that kind of person. Both cities now have jobs, but one is by the gulf has more entertainment, food, culture.The thing about Huntsville as i look at it,its a big suburb,nothing but military families and no different any other recently made up city. The one thing I do like about Huntsville is the engineering, but if you don't have a degree in something there are no jobs for you. You will bounce around from temp to temp in this city. I don't know where people get this job stuff from because i know so many people struggling here.On the other hand i have friends in Montgomery that have great jobs.Huntsville is not the only city in Alabama with jobs folks. As a matter of fact Alabama economy is above the rest of the nation because of the automotive industry which is throughout the state.I repeat only consider Huntsville if have a engineering degree and not really a cultural type person. Check out both cities, but If you have experienced the mobile of today, i promise you it will take your breath away.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Me personally, I love Mobile, but Huntsville is alright if you are that kind of person. Both cities now have jobs, but one is by the gulf has more entertainment, food, culture.The thing about Huntsville as i look at it,its a big suburb,nothing but military families and no different any other recently made up city. The one thing I do like about Huntsville is the engineering, but if you don't have a degree in something there are no jobs for you. You will bounce around from temp to temp in this city. I don't know where people get this job stuff from because i know so many people struggling here.On the other hand i have friends in Montgomery that have great jobs.Huntsville is not the only city in Alabama with jobs folks. As a matter of fact Alabama economy is above the rest of the nation because of the automotive industry which is throughout the state.I repeat only consider Huntsville if have a engineering degree and not really a cultural type person. Check out both cities, but If you have experienced the mobile of today, i promise you it will take your breath away.

We know overall the state is doing well in jobs, but Huntsville has or has had the lowest unemployment rate in the state thats where people get this Huntsville job stuff from. And Madison County has led the state in job creation for 18 out of the past 21 years. And its the prevalance of high paying jobs here but most of that has to do with engineering. Yeah you are right if you aren't an engineer here its not as great of a benefit for you to live here. Huntsville may not be as exciting as Birmingham or Mobile, but it probably has the next most to offer in the state as far as shopping, and entertainment. I'm not denying its boring here, but to me most of Alabama is with the exception of Birmingham, and Mobile. Its just that Huntsville has so much going for it with so many companies and high paying jobs here, there SHOULD be a lot more to do here than it is, but there isn't due to a number of factories, military families, mostly development in suburban and rural areas, no real downtown, not many young professionals, etc. But its not as bad as some of you make it seem. Its not as if we are comparing Huntsville to Atlanta or Nashville or even Birmingham.

[Bama`s Port]

I love both cities and especialy my home town Mobile !! If you have a degree in engineering go to Huntsville because it is an engineering city. Mobile is strong on Aerospace and chemical engineering the German plant that is here in Mobile now has plans to hire up to 800 engineers as well ,what kind I don`t know. Huntsville has various types of engineering jobs other than aerospace and chemical like Mobile .When Northrup win there contract it will creat 5,000 aerospace engineering jobs in Mobile the building is up and ready for business. Austa lwill be soon building fleets for the navy which is another 1,000 plus If your an engineer Hunstville is your best bet . There were several private firms that have moved to Mobile that are high paying jobs as well and has created over a 2,000 jobs in Mobile between 2006 and 2007 and were looking forward for more. Mobile and Huntsville are both great cities I wish you the best of luck .

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Sailaway50

That said, what are the colleges or universities located around Huntsville.....I know about U of A in Birmingham, of course....are there others nearer to Huntsville?

Sailaway, it did not look like you got an answer to this question...the University of Alabama in Huntsville is a 4-year college with a great engineering program (Welcome to UAH!). Alabama A & M University (Welcome to Alabama A&M University) is a traditionally black college that offers graduate degrees in education that many local teachers take advantage of. Yet another Huntsville 4-year institution is the private church-affiliated Oakwood College (Oakwood University | Oakwood University Homepage), renowned for its music program. Calhoun Community College (Welcome to Calhoun Community College) is based in Decatur and has a Huntsville campus. It's a 2-year college offering associates' degrees. You can take courses there and then transfer to UAH or Athens State University in Athens (Athens State University :: Building Success Stories), a good school for accounting & teaching. J.F. Drake State Technical College (J. F. Drake State Technical College), Faulkner University (Faulkner University - Home), and Virginia College (Virginia College) emphasize vocational training in specific skills. UAB actually has a Huntsville campus that offers, among others, programs in family practice and nursing (Huntsville Campus). Another 4-year college about an hour or so away is the University of North Alabama, in Florence (The University of North Alabama - Home Page). Florida Tech even runs a program at Redstone Arsenal offering graduate degrees in management (Florida Institute of Technology). This page - Huntsville Alabama USA - Newcomers &*Visitors - Community Overview - Education - is very helpful in listing almost all education opportunities in Huntsville, with the exception of private kindergartens.
Good luck!

[Sailaway50]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Sailaway, it did not look like you got an answer to this question...the University of Alabama in Huntsville is a 4-year college with a great engineering program (Welcome to UAH!). Alabama A & M University (Welcome to Alabama A&M University) is a traditionally black college that offers graduate degrees in education that many local teachers take advantage of. Yet another Huntsville 4-year institution is the private church-affiliated Oakwood College (Oakwood University | Oakwood University Homepage), renowned for its music program. Calhoun Community College (Welcome to Calhoun Community College) is based in Decatur and has a Huntsville campus. It's a 2-year college offering associates' degrees. You can take courses there and then transfer to UAH or Athens State University in Athens (Athens State University :: Building Success Stories), a good school for accounting & teaching. J.F. Drake State Technical College (J. F. Drake State Technical College), Faulkner University (Faulkner University - Home), and Virginia College (Virginia College) emphasize vocational training in specific skills. UAB actually has a Huntsville campus that offers, among others, programs in family practice and nursing (Huntsville Campus). Another 4-year college about an hour or so away is the University of North Alabama, in Florence (The University of North Alabama - Home Page). Florida Tech even runs a program at Redstone Arsenal offering graduate degrees in management (Florida Institute of Technology). This page - Huntsville Alabama USA - Newcomers &*Visitors - Community Overview - Education - is very helpful in listing almost all education opportunities in Huntsville, with the exception of private kindergartens.
Good luck!

I can't thank you enough. I was not aware of all the good colleges in the area; this is very encouraging. We are truly seeking a calmer, quieter life also, and it seems that Alabama would serve that well....particularly Huntsville. Thank you so much for all the information.

[Bama`s Port]

Mobile has the University of South Alabama a 4 year college mostly a medical college and offers engineering courses as well there is a major cancer research building that is affiliated with the University of Houston which has the largest cancer research institute in the nation and they have partnered in with the University of South Alabama in Mobile and the Baldwin county branch to build a 70 million dollar research building in Mobile and a multi million dollar research park. The University of South Alabama is also expanding there engineer courses due to the engineering jobs that will be comming to the Mobile area. University of South Alabama also has a branch in Baldwin County as well .Mobile also has Spring Hill University wich is also a 4 year private university it is the states oldest and most expensive university and one of the most expensive in the south. Springhill University is a Catholic University Mainly due to Mobiles French history and culture. Mobile has the University of Mobile wich is also a 4 year university . Mobilie`s HBCU( Historicaly Black College University) Is Bishop state community college while it offers a great nursing program and has one of the best nursing programs in the state . You will find Faulkner State and Virgina college in every major city in Alabama. Though Mobile has more schools That offer higher learning it is not a college town.

One poster mentioned Oak Wood College in Huntsville Oak Wood is a an HBCU ( Historicaly Black College University) as well Hunstaville has two HBCU`s Alabama A&M University & Oak Wood . Mobile only has one ,Bishop State

[cathyromine]

I was born in Huntsville, moved off my father being military but Huntsville was home. It is a nice - modern city. As for murders - theres murders everywhere - that can't be predicted but I feel Huntsville to be a very safe city. I lived in Talladega for awhile and was terrified of Birmingham. There are so many crimes that never get reported. North Alabama having the occasional tornadoes - Mobile hurricane's lol - Your not going to find Perfection. I now live in Athens - quiet town about 30 minutes from Huntsville - My mother lives in Guntersville - Beautiful town...My major complaint and its not just Alabama - Illegals - they are raising our crime and causing our property values to deminish along with this pitiful economy. Get a Grip America - Were in trouble Everywhere...

Anyway - Huntsville - Athens - Guntersville - Great City's for the most part.

[caution]

I knew Mobile well as a kid and teen. Most of my extended family is from there. Was there during Fredrick (as a kid) and remember all the big trees coming down.

Mobile was once a big federal town and big shipyard town. The ship yard's wartime glory faded, the base closed, and the town has been seemingly in transition since I can remember.

I'm a Fed moving to Alabama too, and although every place has it's serious ups and downs. I didn't even apply when a vacancy came up in Mobile. HSV was a no-brainer.

FWIW, the talk about murder rates probably won't do anything but scare people. I'd bet you a whole dollar that most of those unfortunate victims knew the person who killed them. I've lived in some of the worst crime areas with the scary stats, and I never think about getting shot or shot at. What you really notice is the petty crime, vandalism, robbery and to some extent mugging (or getting popped as they call it now). Those crimes are likely to be committed by a total random stranger when you're not prepared to deal with it.

[Stuck in South]

Though it's likely too late to aid in your process, I'll throw in a couple of things:

I grew up in Birmingham, moved to Mobile. You need to stick with Huntsville or specific sections of B'ham.

It's likely I would never advise anyone to move to Mobile. Meterologically, the summers would blow you away. It's hotter and more humid than anything you've likely experienced. And lengthy, summer begins in late April and lasts until near Halloween.

While autumn (Sept. - Nov.) is a time of repose in Michigan, in Mobile it is when your nerves pick up a bit. The weather is still effectively summery and the Gulf activity stirs as hurricane season's zenith arrives.

Hurricanes are a pain in the ass. While evacuation is simple enough provided you get a good start, it's a hassle and an expense. Do it a few times in one season and it gets old, however staying in town for a hurricane is no picnic either. The festering climate is amplified by the lack of air conditioning. And then there's the cost of home repair.

Education isn't a valued cultural asset and parochial/private schools have been big for a while, as much for social cachet as anything else. The Old South haunts life in the Azalea City. People can be very complacent, nosy and narrow minded. Racial fracturing is stark and epitomized in much of life. In Mobile, it has now pitted Democrats/city residents/black against Republican/county residents/white and those lines seem to be setting in worse.

The economic projects discussed are predictably hindered and scaled back from original claims. For the last century, Mobile's economy has stayed pretty much the same, never rising or falling too far. That is likely to continue for both good and bad.

Basically, Mobile is a much smaller, more country-fied version of New Orleans. As Branson, Missouri is to Las Vegas, Mobile is to New Orleans.

As someone else in the thread mentioned, the Huntsville area supplies quick access to B'ham, Atlanta and Nashville. In Mobile, you're two hours from New Orleans, which I've heard said is Mobile's greatest attribute.

Winter weather in Mobile is basically what you would classify as autumnal. Spring can be nice and arrives in late February, certain portions of town seem to look their best amid the floral finery of that season.

It can be attractive and has assets, but they wear out quickly if you're from a larger place or crave more options. It's not the worst place to live, by far, but has a lot of room for improvement.