Montgomery - moving from South Carolina (Prattville, Millbrook: houses, rent, lease)

[CUtiger06]

I’m possibly moving to Montgomery in the fall to begin law school. I graduated from Clemson a year ago and loved living in the South (originally from California). Christian, conservative, love college football… so I’d expect to fit in fine. So I need no warnings about Southern culture.

My research concerning Montgomery has been mixed. Crime seems to be an issue, but further investigation reveals that Montgomery is on par with most cities of it’s size (compared to Columbia, SC among others). Too many people seem to be complaining, and I don’t understand why? The entire nation has racial tensions, is it really that bad here?

Once again, I loved living in South Carolina (Greenville and Clemson) and I am wondering how Montgomery and Alabama as a whole would relate. I was considering apartments on the east side of town, which seem an ideal location near the new East Chase mall… seems like there may be a bit more to do over there for young adults.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[FLYBOY2]

[quote=CUtiger06;3080104]I’m possibly moving to Montgomery in the fall to begin law school. I graduated from Clemson a year ago and loved living in the South (originally from California). Christian, conservative, love college football… so I’d expect to fit in fine. So I need no warnings about Southern culture.

My research concerning Montgomery has been mixed. Crime seems to be an issue, but further investigation reveals that Montgomery is on par with most cities of it’s size (compared to Columbia, SC among others). Too many people seem to be complaining, and I don’t understand why? The entire nation has racial tensions, is it really that bad here?

Once again, I loved living in South Carolina (Greenville and Clemson) and I am wondering how Montgomery and Alabama as a whole would relate. I was considering apartments on the east side of town, which seem an ideal location near the new East Chase mall… seems like there may be a bit more to do over there for young adults.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.[/quote

Hi...Congratulations on your decision to move to Montgomery. You will find the VERY best area to live and raise a family is EAST Montgomery....Anything past Taylor Road East...Sturbridge, DEERCREEK (ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL) etc. The new construction is very pricey but BEST value is in the resale of these two neighborhoods. THERE ARE A TON OF SINGLES IN DEERCREEK...nice bachlors with $$$$$ if you know what I mean ...... My wife and I are raising our sons in this very family oriented community. GOOD LUCK

[MullinsCurve]

Originally Posted by CUtiger06

I’m possibly moving to Montgomery in the fall to begin law school. I graduated from Clemson a year ago and loved living in the South (originally from California). Christian, conservative, love college football… so I’d expect to fit in fine. So I need no warnings about Southern culture.

My research concerning Montgomery has been mixed. Crime seems to be an issue, but further investigation reveals that Montgomery is on par with most cities of it’s size (compared to Columbia, SC among others). Too many people seem to be complaining, and I don’t understand why? The entire nation has racial tensions, is it really that bad here?

Once again, I loved living in South Carolina (Greenville and Clemson) and I am wondering how Montgomery and Alabama as a whole would relate. I was considering apartments on the east side of town, which seem an ideal location near the new East Chase mall… seems like there may be a bit more to do over there for young adults.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think you will have any problems with the people here, judging by your self appraisal.

Crime is pretty much contained in the same old areas and involve the usual suspects. Living where you say you want to live, you will not be around them much, unless they decide to prey on outside victims, which the thugs do sometimes.

You will find racial tension here is caused by one or two old saws trying to relive the "glory years" of the civil rights era by trying to make a name for themselves stirring up made-up problems when they can and maybe make a buck or 12 off of it at the same time. It's sorta like Jesse Jackson does when he sees his bank balance starting to slip. Everybody else, white and black (the regular people), seems to get along fine with each other.

Go east past Vaughn Road and you should be safe. Also, consider Prattville or Elmore County.

Look into renting a house in the neighborhood behind the school (JS of L) you will be attending. Houses there may go for less than an apartment, you'll just have to mow the grass.

Oh, yeah, BTW, my neighbors next door are CU season ticket holders. We've agreed to continue to be good friends...except on Aug 30 of this year. We can hate each other then.

[CUtiger06]

"Oh, yeah, BTW, my neighbors next door are CU season ticket holders. We've agreed to continue to be good friends...except on Aug 30 of this year. We can hate each other then."

That’s classic. I expect I’ll get a bit of that come August… and even more if my tigers lose.

I never considered houses around the school, will have to look into that. Not too sure about the area surrounding JSL? Prattville looks really nice too, sort of like a miniature Greenville (from the pics I’ve seen of the downtown).

But looks can be deceiving which is why I posted the q’s…

[MullinsCurve]

My inlaws live near the school, close to the big Baptist church on up the 4-lane from the school. You can turn by the animal clinic and it is called College Grove. That is an acceptable neighborhood, you might find something there or on over in Dalraida. Don't go across the bypass unless you go way out. In other words, avoid Montgomery East around Burbank Drive/Wares Ferry Road and back of the mall there. Wares Ferry behind the school is okay, just don't cross it unless you go toward Dalraida.

Don't be fooled by the small town pics of Prattville. It is over 30,000 people and sprawls all over the place. I'm not knocking it, it is a good place to live, but it is no small town. It has just about every chain store and restaurant you could want. Millbrook, across the interstate from Prattville better fits that description. Both, however will be about 25 or more minutes from your school.

Not being sure if you are male or female, I am just giving you general ideas. I doubt you will have problems with safey, as long as you use common sense (don't go to ATMs at night, etc). The area around the school is relatively safe, but like anywhere else, thugs have mobility and are not adequately taught by their parents the finer points of civilized life. And since the police have been limited by judges in their ability to knock heads, the thugs have tended to get more emboldened the past few years.

[CUtiger06]

Thanks for the info! This is exactly the stuff I was trying to figure out, from someone who’s actually familiar with the area. Too bad about the police being restrained. Safety wise I’m 6’5 so that should deter most thugs…

That’s news to me about Prattville, I honestly thought it was a small town. I guess the trade off would be the drive and possible traffic. What's your impressions of the historic downtown strip? I saw online something about an outdoor mall that's being built in Prattville (not the Bass Pro Shop). Any news about that?

I was thinking that Montgomery would be a livelier place to live and have a lot more nightlife but maybe I’m wrong? Is there much to do in the "downtown" part or do most people only go to the east shopping areas??


Thanks again for the responces...

[MullinsCurve]

I really have no impressionsof downtown Prattville, I've never been to that part of the town. Somebody that actually lives in that city can tell you more about it. While I live close to Montgomery, I live about 35 miles from Prattville (in another direction) and don't go over there very often since a good friend moved from there several years ago. I used to visit there regularly, mostly at night.

I can't tell you much about the night life, I'm past that phase of my life. About all we do now is go to eat and hit a movie, or go to the Alabama Shakespeare Theater. I know that there are bars and such and the Montgomery Performing Arts Center has opened up and is bringing in various acts to perform, such Jackson Brown & BB King. I don't go honky-tonking anymore, I'm too old and my children would laugh at me.

Safety wise I’m 6’5 so that should deter most thugs…

that's mighty tall for a girl

[CUtiger06]

"that's mighty tall for a girl"

That would be... but i'm a guy. Thanks for all the answers.

[Southlander]

There's a law school in Montgomery? I thought there were only 3 - U of Alabama, Samford and B'ham School of Law.
Enlighten me, please!

[CUtiger06]

Sure thing Southlander. You intrested in going??

The law school is 80 years old (The Jones School of Law) and was originally started by a judge. University of Alabama purchased it for a while and then in the early 80's Faulkner University obtained the School of Law (which is in Montgomery).

The bar passage rate is the top in the state (has been for several years) and job placement is around 97%... Overall it's a very fine school and just received ABA accreditation (which means graduates can practice law in any state). Samford and Univ. of Alabama are the only other schools in Alabama that are ABA accredited. Anyhow the school has great reviews by students and college guides alike...


link: Faulkner University - Jones School of Law