[nalabama]

Per MapQuest, Fayetteville TN is about a 45-50 minute commute (39 miles) from the intersection of US 231 & US 431 in Fayetteville to the intersection of Bradford Road and Research Park Boulevard in Huntsville, which puts you right in between the new and old parts of Research Park. I suspect that is optimistic for rush-hour traffic, but it's been 25 years since I tried it. Someone else needs to come on line and give you a report on this commute. The tornado threat is no worse in Fayetteville than in Huntsville, perhaps even less so.

If you think you can handle the commute and might look at Fayetteville, then consider Park City(TN), Hazel Green(AL), and Meridianville(AL) as well, since they're on the way. Lots of folks from all these communities work on Redstone Arsenal, so it can't be too bad. Areas off the northern reaches of Research Park Boulevard might be okay also--I just don't know. I do know that rush-hour traffic can be bad on the secondary roads in that area and farther west. Again, someone else will have to comment further.

We haven't discussed the areas in the county off to the east on or near US 72--Gurley, Paint Rock, and Woodville, to name a few. All places you might want to look at if you get the chance. Stay fairly close to US 72 and the commute is manageable unless you get in a traffic jam where US 72 junctions with I-565. Certainly no worse than from Grant along the same highway. And the areas off Winchester Road/TN 121 heading northeast out of Huntsville to Winchester TN may well meet your needs also. Dug Hill Road, running between US 72 to the north and US 431 to the south just east of Monte Sano and Putnam Mountains, is blessed/cursed with several mini-farms and estates large and small as well. I believe that at least parts are in the city limits of Huntsville. Properties can be pricey in several areas along its length.

In any event, 2-3 acres should be readily available in all these areas. All are nice places to live from everything I've heard, with the usual caveats re zoning and neighbors.

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by Figment 07

Tornadoes are a fact of life in the south, not just in Alabama, and they can happen at any time of year.

Brick veneer can be destroyed as well, but you will find that brick homes in the south generally appreciate faster, require less maintenance and have higher resale value than comparable homes of other siding materials. If you can afford brick, go for it! But whatever you buy, get a house with a basement and finish at least one room down there in the most protected corner. I've spent many a night sleeping comfortably in my basement guest room during tornado watches and warnings.

Thanks for the info, Figment 07. We live in FL at the moment, ( from CA),...been here 2 years and are lucky enough to have a full brick house. We thought it would probably best to have the same in Bama. Understand about Tornados happening most anywhere in the south, but as I said, we were warned about living north of
Huntsville. The couple we talked to in Huntsville said the path of recent Tornados came directly thru Harvest and told us that we should not look to that areas well as TN over the bordeo.... Was just checking to see if that was the right assessment.

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by nalabama

Per MapQuest, Fayetteville TN is about a 45-50 minute commute (39 miles) from the intersection of US 231 & US 431 in Fayetteville to the intersection of Bradford Road and Research Park Boulevard in Huntsville, which puts you right in between the new and old parts of Research Park. I suspect that is optimistic for rush-hour traffic, but it's been 25 years since I tried it. Someone else needs to come on line and give you a report on this commute. The tornado threat is no worse in Fayetteville than in Huntsville, perhaps even less so.

If you think you can handle the commute and might look at Fayetteville, then consider Park City(TN), Hazel Green(AL), and Meridianville(AL) as well, since they're on the way. Lots of folks from all these communities work on Redstone Arsenal, so it can't be too bad. Areas off the northern reaches of Research Park Boulevard might be okay also--I just don't know. I do know that rush-hour traffic can be bad on the secondary roads in that area and farther west. Again, someone else will have to comment further.

We haven't discussed the areas in the county off to the east on or near US 72--Gurley, Paint Rock, and Woodville, to name a few. All places you might want to look at if you get the chance. Stay fairly close to US 72 and the commute is manageable unless you get in a traffic jam where US 72 junctions with I-565. Certainly no worse than from Grant along the same highway. And the areas off Winchester Road/TN 121 heading northeast out of Huntsville to Winchester TN may well meet your needs also. Dug Hill Road, running between US 72 to the north and US 431 to the south just east of Monte Sano and Putnam Mountains, is blessed/cursed with several mini-farms and estates large and small as well. I believe that at least parts are in the city limits of Huntsville. Properties can be pricey in several areas along its length.

In any event, 2-3 acres should be readily available in all these areas. All are nice places to live from everything I've heard, with the usual caveats re zoning and neighbors.

Thank you so much Nalabama, for all these suggestions!
For sure we will check out these areas. We were hoping to find something in the 3K-4K range...don't know if that's realistic for what we'd like to buy. The Ledges are totally out of the question..and NOT just the price...don't want to live in a planned community no matter how much....on the other hand, don't want to live near a chicken farm either!

I appreciate all your time and helpful suggestions...thanks again, so very much.

[Keeper]

I moved from Tampa last year and love it up here. The one thing that most FL people have a hard time with is winter when there are no leaves on the trees anywhere. I went through tornado season last year and while unsettling at times the TV stations are on the air the whole time there are warnings anywhere in the Huntsville area. They do have sirens in most areas. I can tell as far as traffic goes my daughter travels 40 miles in 45-50 min which is far better than traveling around Tpa during rush hour. Property taxes are much less at least in Marshall county and there is a sales tax on food. My utilites have been lower mainly because we actually have a spring and fall when you don't have to run the A/C. If you have pets, I have found the vet fees to be much less. Of course I can only speak about Marshall county but I am so happy I moved. You asked about housing, I can tell you out of the city what you get for the money is so much more than FL.

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I moved from Tampa last year and love it up here. The one thing that most FL people have a hard time with is winter when there are no leaves on the trees anywhere. I went through tornado season last year and while unsettling at times the TV stations are on the air the whole time there are warnings anywhere in the Huntsville area. They do have sirens in most areas. I can tell as far as traffic goes my daughter travels 40 miles in 45-50 min which is far better than traveling around Tpa during rush hour. Property taxes are much less at least in Marshall county and there is a sales tax on food. My utilites have been lower mainly because we actually have a spring and fall when you don't have to run the A/C. If you have pets, I have found the vet fees to be much less. Of course I can only speak about Marshall county but I am so happy I moved. You asked about housing, I can tell you out of the city what you get for the money is so much more than FL.

Thanks for your input, Keeper! Know what you mean about the traffic in Tampa! We live on the Space coast,
in the small town of Mims...altho traffic here isn't too bad,
anywhere else we go it REALLY is bad! Won't mind the "bare" trees in AL....they have Spring there and you can watch the trees leaf out... I'm really sick of an endless summer here! We're from the central coast of CA and that area is MUCH cooler then FL....just can't take 10 months
of this heat and humidity! Have been waiting for "winter"
for months and wouldn't you know it, this is one of the warmest winters in FL on record!

Yes, we do have dogs...nice to know the Vet bill won't be as high there!

Thanks for your time....

[Charles]

Alabama unemployment jumps to 9.8% for May - WRCB Channel 3 Chattanooga News, Weather |

[friday13]

Interactive: Adversity Index - Adversity Index - MSNBC.com

that map is so cool