[LindaIL]

Which area, Birmingham, Montgomery or Huntsville, has more to offer - good neighborhood, lower property taxes, good schools, low crime, good shopping, good ecomomy, etc.?

Looking for a lot (2-5 acre) in an somewhat upscale subdivision.

What would be some good choices to look at?

[Frankie117]

Montgomery is cheaper than Birmingham, but has slightly higher crime. Generally the crime areas aren't close to the 'upscale' neighborhoods (Prattville sounds right up your alley). The only thing is that I find Montgomery's suburbs to be a bit repetitive and griddy. I recommend visiting both cities before making a final decision.

[LindaIL]

Originally Posted by Frankie117

Montgomery is cheaper than Birmingham, but has slightly higher crime. Generally the crime areas aren't close to the 'upscale' neighborhoods (Prattville sounds right up your alley). The only thing is that I find Montgomery's suburbs to be a bit repetitive and griddy. I recommend visiting both cities before making a final decision.

Thanks Frankie! How does the Huntsville area compare?

LindaIL

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by LindaIL

Thanks Frankie! How does the Huntsville area compare?

LindaIL

Huntsville has (arguably) the best economy in the state, a lot of companies have plants and offices in the city. I find that the city itself has undeveloped infrastructure, not being able to keep up with demand. It's not my kind of place, and generally it is more expensive than say Montgomery or Birmingham. Who knows though, you may end up enjoying it

[Back Again]

As far as schools, check out the following websites, they should help.

ALSDE - Education Directory/Reports (http://www.alsde.edu/html/reports_menu.asp - broken link)
SchoolMatters - Home (http://www.schoolmatters.com/ - broken link)
GreatSchools.net

[cpg35223]

Not trying to start a flame war and certainly not trying to diss Montgomery, but Birmingham's incomparably better in terms of schools, cultural amenities, shopping, and diverse economy.

While Montgomery has certainly made progress in the past ten years (Hyundai breathed some life into the place), it remains a pretty stratified company town.

[LindaIL]

Thanks everyone for your input!

LindaIL