[bekahdoo]

My husband is from Fort Payne and we go up there pretty regularly to visit his family. It is beautiful up there, especially up on Lookout Mountain around Mentone and Little River Canyon. BUT Fort Payne, because of all the sock factories, has become overrun with Mexicans. All over town you see business signs in Spanish and Mexicans hanging out in the streets. If they don't bother you, then you have nothing to worry about. Other than that, DeKalb County is really nice.

[mizkat221]

If you think the pay stinks in Northern AL, you should see the pay scales in Bradenton FL!!!! But at least in Northern AL you can afford a decent home and your insurance & property taxes won't double every year!!!!

[Keeper]

Pay is lower in the smaller towns but then the cost of living is also lower. I love living in Arab after living in FL for 30 years. You can buy a house without spending a fortune, of course if you have a fortune to spend then there are houses you can buy here too. The people here are friendly and the area is only 15 minutes from Lake Guntersville and 30 minutes to Huntsville to malls. Schools are excellent with small classes.

If I were you I would put together a list of what is important and then check out different areas. There is a link here.. Alabama Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents). The only down side is not all cities info is current.
If you are looking to buy a house check out valleymls.com. You can find housing info for any area in NE AL.