[Woodzman]

I'm thinking about moving aback to Alabama. I grew up in Birmingham in the late 70's and live in Arizona. I may have a job offer in Valley Head, Al. But, I don't know nothing about the area. My wife's pet pea is a good school for our son who is going to be 12 in May. I think we'll try and rent a house for the first year just to try things out. I would like to hear from people who know the area to see what it has to offer. What is there to do? Movies, fun center for kids and things like that. If you were looking to buy a house, would you buy in Fort Payne, Ider, Valley Head ? What we would like to have if we buy would be a nice place on 1 to 5 acers but close enough to have people around to talk to and my son to play with. My wife is also concern about Tornatos. I told her I saw one in my life time growing up in (Forestdale) north east Birmingham. She shouldn't worry. Looking to hear from some nice people in the area and thanks for the info.....Woodzman

[harry chickpea]

Valley Head sits at the base of Lookout Mountain. While houses in the area on small lots can be inexpensive, land is not. The entire northeast corner of AL is a hot market as people move in from the gulf coast and Florida. Valley Head itself doesn't have much except a store, service station, school, and homes. Mentone, up above on Lookout Mountain, has restaurants, a hardware store, and some other stuff. Valley head gets shade in the morning from Lookout Mtn., and from a ridge west of the town in the afternoon.

Chattanooga is the near big city, but is an hour or more away. Ft. Payne is where the shopping and activity is. There is a small movie theatre there that closed and re-opened, Hennegar has a drive-in. Ft. Payne has a business that makes playground equipment, but I haven't seen much of it around the city.

Tornadoes are uncommon on Lookout Mountain, but Rainsville and areas to the west get them (so I've been told).

I'd probably opt for Ft Payne in your situation. More for the kid to do, and the commute would be an easy one.

[jimcmcgee]

Fort Payne is a small city of 15,000. It got it's name as a stockade for the Cherokee Indian removal of 1838. It experienced a coal and iron "boom" period in the late 1880's and early 1890's. The city is "wet" and offers several good restaurants, as well as a large recreation program and progressive government. It is the home of the "Alabama" band and they have chosen to remain residents. For more info, check out www.tourdekalb.com and www.fortpayne.com. Following is an official advertising release from the City of Fort Payne:

THE CITY OF FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA
Simply, the best!
WE'VE DONE IT AGAIN! The honors just keep coming.

In the early and mid-1990's, author Norman Crampton twice selected Fort Payne as one of “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.”

In 2003, Gerald W. Sweitzer and Kathy M. Fields published their book, “The 50 Best Small Southern Towns,” and Fort Payne was again selected as a distinguished and unique place to live. Sweitzer and Fields selected towns that were “charming, livable places affording a gentler way of life,” and Crampton's book was a guide to “the best in small town living.”

In 2004, Jack Schultz's book, “Boom Town USA – The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns,” designated Fort Payne as a “Golden Eagle.” He uses the term to describe the 100 best small towns that “are the creme de la creme of small towns in America,” adding, “They not only excel in most of the 7 ½ keys, but also have much to offer in a number of other critical areas that impact a town's quality of life.”

What more can we say? We are honored, of course. Our quality of life is not a secret. We have known it all along...now, the world knows it. Excellent transportation, schools, recreation, healthcare facilities, cultural events, and scenic beauty are readily available. Yet, we still maintain our small town character with good neighbors and a strong work ethic. We are proud to be so honored!