[rosev]

We need help looking for an area to move to in Alabama. My husband is a auto mechanic and would like to open up his own shop later. We have 2 children (7 & 11), so of course, we want good schools. We want a small town, where we don't have to worry about the kids playing outside.

[carrymehome22]

I hear Dothan, AL is quite okay

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by rosev

We need help looking for an area to move to in Alabama. My husband is a auto mechanic and would like to open up his own shop later. We have 2 children (7 & 11), so of course, we want good schools. We want a small town, where we don't have to worry about the kids playing outside.

i think some of the growing suburbs of birmingham would be ideal. the town of chelsea comes to mind. it's about 20-30 minutes outside of birmingham kind of between suburbia and rural life. it's growing very fast with affordable housing, good schools, and very family oriented.

a huge subdivision of 3000+ homes is going up called Chelsea Park. see chelseaparkcommunity.com for details on that.

[RonHei]

I would vote for Dothan as well. Once an almost joke of a city, Dothan has been listed as one of the ten best towns in America to live in, several times in the last 10 years. Everything has a bit of "newness" to it (semblance of California), huge medical center, new schools, homes, etc.

[rosev]

How is the weather in Dothan? I noticed that it is closer to the ocean, what about hurricains? We were thinking about checking out the Fort Payne area. Any ideas?

[RonHei]

I wouldn't worry about Hurricanes if I were inland. Everywhere has storms. Dothan is high and dry. I live in Niceville, FL and have our share of hurricanes, but unless you live right on the beach, all that usually happens is some trees down and power inconveniences - which you can prepare for.

I lived in Fort Payne for over 10 years. Operated a travel agency and a computer store there. Lot's of nice people, but really, really "clannish". It's a dry county which is not likely to change and I really wouldn't consider the "things to do there" exactly great.

Another small town you might want to consider is 16 miles (as I recall) over the Mountain there called Leesburg. Layed back lakeside community, closer to Gadsden, Anniston, and Rome, GA.

The weather in Dothan is pretty much like north Florida, just generally a little cooler. You can get a weather history on Dothan out at one of the dot com weather sites. Dothan also has all the more "modern conveniences" as well as excellent schools, medical facilities, and employment opportunities.

[rosev]

Thank you for the info

[AndyG]

Look in NE Alabama. Nice scenery, and much slower pace of life than Birmingham. Birmingham is close though for those days when you need the hustle and bustle of a big city. Gadsden and Anniston are the 2 largest cities in NE Alabama, and in most cases, they can provide whatever you may need. Big city ammenities in most cases, but both have held onto their small town feel. They are both virtually identical in size and located right next door to each other, so anywhere in the region, neither city is very far away.

If you are into outdoor recreation, NE Alabama is one of the more outdoorsy places in the state. Hiking, camping, fishing, boating, you name it.

[bamagirl06]

I say Auburn.
Auburn isn't TOO small.. but it is SO nice. Auburn High School was ranked 77th best school in the nation. There public schools are extremely nice but you also have the choice of Lee-Scott, which is a nice private school.
I think it is one of the most child-friendly cities in Alabama. The children can walk to the pool, play outside, etc. with no worries.
Auburn needs more shops too. To get good service for your car you have to go to Columbus or Montgomery.

[rosev]

How is housing? I couldn't find anything in our price range.