[scd0903]

Folks,

I am about to accept a job in the "mid-south" - - I can live in Arkansas or Mississippi or Louisana or Alabama (western edge) or Memphis.

I am leaning towards Alabama (hence my post in this forum and my other posts regarding Alabama in general) but I would like feedback from folks that have lived in these areas or at least travelled through these areas.

Bama is #1 strictly on a "perception" basis.

I have 3 kids and a wife and my #1 priority is school & my #2 priority is college choices/in-state tuition.

Thanks!

-scd0903

[Twostep]

Originally Posted by scd0903

Folks,

I am about to accept a job in the "mid-south" - - I can live in Arkansas or Mississippi or Louisana or Alabama (western edge) or Memphis.

I am leaning towards Alabama (hence my post in this forum and my other posts regarding Alabama in general) but I would like feedback from folks that have lived in these areas or at least travelled through these areas.

Bama is #1 strictly on a "perception" basis.

I have 3 kids and a wife and my #1 priority is school & my #2 priority is college choices/in-state tuition.

Thanks!

-scd0903

I am in recruiting - so this is not my personal view on the job question. Please set your priorities.
Your family depends on your job. If that is not a perfect fit - nobody is happy. Which location offers you not necessarily the best pay but what you are looking for and that on a longterm basis?

Schools, jobs, social life are great in AL. MS also offers a lot.

One question at a time please. Remember - imported red necks still run on Windows XP :>)

[scd0903]

I did not realize that you were a recruiter - very cool.

Anyway - my job is all set - that is not a concern at all. I have worked for this company for 19 years and they have taken very good care of me - no complaints at all.

As far as priorities - I only have two - - my children's education and their safety.

I may be a bit naive but I would like to think that I could end up in NW Alabama and find a community to our liking with good school where the kids would be accepted - - everything else is water under the bridge.

Any guidance on NW Alabama communities would be greatly appreciated.

Athens certainly stands out as does Madison - - I would really like to learn more about Florence.

Ciao ~

-scd0903

[Twostep]

Originally Posted by scd0903

I did not realize that you were a recruiter - very cool.

Anyway - my job is all set - that is not a concern at all. I have worked for this company for 19 years and they have taken very good care of me - no complaints at all.

As far as priorities - I only have two - - my children's education and their safety.

I may be a bit naive but I would like to think that I could end up in NW Alabama and find a community to our liking with good school where the kids would be accepted - - everything else is water under the bridge.

Any guidance on NW Alabama communities would be greatly appreciated.

Athens certainly stands out as does Madison - - I would really like to learn more about Florence.

Ciao ~

-scd0903

Ciao?
Hit the web. I will gladly help you. Recruiting is like deer hunting - patience :>)

Tschuess

[harry chickpea]

Do a web search for the Athens AL chamber of commerce website. They mention that their school is highly rated. Looks like we'll be living north of there ourselves, out in the boonies :-).

Consider that there is a certain amount of homogenization (or shake and bake) of america. There is almost always a wal-mart, chain drugstore, chain supermarket, home improvement store, fast food places, etc.. Satellite tv and radio is available most everywhere, and there always is the internet and cellphones with free long distance. You may be thinking back 20 years ago, when different areas were able to hold onto their individual cultures.

I wouldn't do Mississippi or Memphis, but I might consider Arkansas, except AL taxes are so low and DW wants to be closer to B'ham. The best thing to do is to take a road trip to explore.

[scd0903]

harry,

Thanks for the two cents - I am heading down there this week.

I appreciate your honest feedback!

-scd0903

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

I wouldn't do Mississippi or Memphis...The best thing to do is to take a road trip to explore.

Athens has excellent schools...as does Florence. Both are smaller cities, but with Athens being so close to Huntsville, you have to go there for some things, whereas it's closer in Florence. Despite what Harry says, I love Memphis...the eastern areas such as Germantown, Collierville. And by all means take a road trip with the family. You won't really know until you visit in person. Good luck!

[deesonic]

Just keep in mind if you choose to live in Athens and expect to do a lot of commuting to and from Huntsville, US 72 is starting to be a rough drive. The traffic is getting really bad. I might suggest living closer to I 565 than 72 where traffic flow is much better. The whole 72 corridor has really blown up and that highway is full of traffic lights. I actually live in the city of Huntsville and commute against traffic on I 565 to Decatur and I rarely see any backups coming into Huntsville.

And of course I'm biased, but I'd take the Huntsville area anyday over any of those places you mentioned. Good luck.