[jerry irwin]

due to a job offer and michigans economy we are thinking of relocating to the muscle shoals area, any comment would be greatly appreciated. how are the schools? how is the job market and overall economy in this part of the state. is there a need for r.n.'s in this area? we have been checking various web sites but there is nothing like hearing it straight from the people who live there instead of reading it from a site that collects data to make an opinion. we are currently just n. of detroit and are used to city life, would the shoals florence area be a big change??

thank you for your comments,
lji372

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by jerry irwin

due to a job offer and michigans economy we are thinking of relocating to the muscle shoals area, any comment would be greatly appreciated. how are the schools? how is the job market and overall economy in this part of the state. is there a need for r.n.'s in this area? we have been checking various web sites but there is nothing like hearing it straight from the people who live there instead of reading it from a site that collects data to make an opinion. we are currently just n. of detroit and are used to city life, would the shoals florence area be a big change?? thank you for your comments,
lji372

Most shoals area schools are excellent. There is a small university (U of North Alabama) and a community college. There is a crying need for nurses in all of Alabama, but you may be quite surprised at the pay scales. That said, the cost of living is WAY lower here. This is really a small city, surrounded by rural area. I would strongly suggest a visit. The pace of life is quite different. Good luck!

[ssdalton]

A big change? YES.

I'm from Huntsville and have lived in Florence for about 7 years, it was hard for me to get used to this place...and Huntsville is nowhere near similar to Detroit. But if small town life gets boring you're only 1 1/2 hours from Huntsville and Nashville. And a couple more will get you to Atlanta.

Hey Southlander which side of the river you on?

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by ssdalton

A big change? YES.

I'm from Huntsville and have lived in Florence for about 7 years, it was hard for me to get used to this place...and Huntsville is nowhere near similar to Detroit. But if small town life gets boring you're only 1 1/2 hours from Huntsville and Nashville. And a couple more will get you to Atlanta.

Hey Southlander which side of the river you on?

Hey, I'm in Decatur. It's 4 or 4.5 hours to Atlanta from Decatur, depending on the traffic there, of course. An hour from Florence to Decatur. BUT, just 2 hours to Memphis.
I lived in Florence for a couple of years, back in the '60s, and husband went to UNA for a year. Ya'll have a lot more access to the river there than here. Our city fathers sold almost all our riverfront to industry, and on the other side it's wildlife refuge. Florence is a very pretty city. Decatur's more industrial. We do have the hot air balloon festival here, though!

[ssdalton]

Yeah I forget about Memphis, and then you have Tunica ....
I probably did mistate a little on the trip to Atlanta, you're right if you drive normal it will take 4 or 4.5 hours
I love being around the river here but I am ready to get back home to Huntsville!!

Shaun

[KMK]

Jobs in this area are nil. The economy is basically dead unless you are a nurse. Our college kids are leaving in groves since not only are there NO jobs there is absolutely nothing to do. Huntsville is merely a tad bigger version of Florence and to escape to a larger city entails long boring drives to MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE, or ATLANTA. Very long and boring!!!!The dead economy is taking a toll on the area. I noticed lately streets are lined with trash and the list of crimes in the paper have grown tremendously in the past year. Most seem to be related to homicides, break-ins and drug use. Actually the entire State of Alabama is pretty much in economic ruin. There are other southern states in far better shape. Years ago this area experienced a boom and has declined rapidly since. Sad to say!!

[RadMd1day]

I have lived here all my life. Its a great place to raise kids. Mine go to Muscle shoals elementary schools (I graduated there also) and we love it, it is top notch for a public school. we also have a couple of private christian schools, but gotta have $$$ for that. I go to Northwest Shoals Community College and its very affordable for a community college.
Unfortunately we are going to have to move so my hubby can get a better paying job and I can go to a bigger university (pre-med student).
That is the only bad thing about this area is jobs are scarce unless you like waiting tables, but RN's do pretty well. about $14-15 per hour (depending n experience)(i have a couple of friends that are RN's, but the cost of living is lower than average, so it kinda evens out in a way, just not much opportunity for growth financially.
as far as entertainment, well, hope you like football, UNA is pretty popular for that, and little league stuff. other than that, there is a couple of redneck bars, a dance club and lots of fast food restaurants., for a bigger city life you will have to drive to Huntsville, where they have Hockey, baseball, ice skating rink, big spring park where they have an annual big spring jam, and a couple of big malls.
and Tunica isn't too far away if you like to gamble some.

I hope this helps, if you have any other questions, just shout.
Good Luck!

[ssdalton]

Wow KMK - you make me want to move to Florida or somewhere. Have we really had that many homicides in the shoals? 2004 data shows 5 homicides for the area. Not sure what the '05 and '06 data shows

[modiam]

I lived in Florence in 1976 and worked in Muscle Shoals - Was only there for 7 months - nice area and good experience, but I was ready to leave as there is very little to do in the entire area

[mrdude]

it's a small town, with a slow pace of life. if you enjoy watersports, there is plenty for you. there is the robert trent jones golf trail. There is plenty of shopping and dining in the area. Basically, the area is big enough to have most of the amenities that you'll want and need, but without the traffic and fast pace of life of a big city.