What DON'T you like about Huntsville/Decater areas? (Madison, New Hope: Home Depot, school)

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by ala-bubba-ama

I will be glad to tell you what I don't like. The first year, it was shock and awe. No one said hi, how are you, welcome, or nice to meet you.

You may want to look in the mirror someday. The people here are really welcoming. We moved here several years ago and were amazed at how quickly we felt "at home" here. I have never met anyone say the people are rude to outsiders moving in and I know lots of people from all over the country living here: NE, west coast, midwest... Huntsville isn't perfect (ie lack of nightlife) but the people are friendly, I really don't think that can be disputed.

Good luck finding someplace you fit in.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by madisonmamma

One of the biggest problems in the HSV City system is the bussing of students....it has made a LOT of parents unhappy and created overcrowding situations in rapidly growing zones like Providence. In Madison, there is none of that. You go to the school you are zoned for. Period. And all the schools are pretty great, so you can't go wrong in whatever part of Madison you end up in.

You can thank your friend, the federal government, for that.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Southlander

You can thank your friend, the federal government, for that.

I think Huntsville is trying to convince the federal government that it doesn't need to be under the desegregation order - at least that's what I've read. And I've been reading about school consolidation(s). So, I guess a lot is happening and I don't really have a good feel for the situation. Add in to the mix the precarious economy and its affects on raising funds for new schools or school improvements.

I guess, right now, I am lucky to have a good job and that my kids go to a good school.

Are city's schools equal enough? - al.com

[33458]

Originally Posted by rnc76

You may want to look in the mirror someday. The people here are really welcoming. We moved here several years ago and were amazed at how quickly we felt "at home" here. I have never met anyone say the people are rude to outsiders moving in and I know lots of people from all over the country living here: NE, west coast, midwest... Huntsville isn't perfect (ie lack of nightlife) but the people are friendly, I really don't think that can be disputed.

Good luck finding someplace you fit in.

I have to say, it must matter where you travel and how you present yourself as a receptor...because as an atheist who moved here with a shaved head and often has a very large bronze ring through her septum, I have yet to be asked about church or get a nasty look from anyone in Huntsville. Yet I am greeted kindly - almost impossible in South Florida, despite being one with the local community; in the right neighborhood and spiffy fashion.
Now - it'll happen - I'm sure of it...but so far (one year in) this is so cordial I can't complain about it. My neighbors here - right/left/front - who are all quite different from me, smile and hold pleasant conversation where we find common ground. I'm not invited for dinner every night, but I'm also not extending myself so far as to make myself available. I have been invited over there.

I have only had one truly displeasing encounter...that was with a family of idiots who had no idea of proper child rearing or social behavior. They makes those everywhere. (half-thought I was going to get in to a brawl...'bout ready for it, too.)

I do wish there was more of a 'scene' here...not freaks on wheels but something interesting. Flying Monkey has something going on every weekend. That seems to be it.
Also, just discovered the architectural meet downstairs at the old hardware store downtown - sounds great for scores in salvage and antiquity. I'll be there next month...septum in 'normal' mode.

Huntsville in the years to come may be a good place to be, as it develops a real personality...if not, I fully anticipate my daughter packing her bags for Atlanta or Asheville.

[ala-bubba-ama]

Originally Posted by rnc76

You may want to look in the mirror someday. The people here are really welcoming. We moved here several years ago and were amazed at how quickly we felt "at home" here. I have never met anyone say the people are rude to outsiders moving in and I know lots of people from all over the country living here: NE, west coast, midwest... Huntsville isn't perfect (ie lack of nightlife) but the people are friendly, I really don't think that can be disputed.

Good luck finding someplace you fit in.

I:You have failed to read the title thread " What you DON'T like. You need to read the thread "Unhappy living in N. AL." I'm not alone. I'm glad your happy here. I have lived N. S. E. and W. Mainly cities. This by far is the most narrow minded place I have ever lived. You must be chairman of welcoming committee.

[Southlander]

So, ala-bubba-ama, is there anything you DO like?

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by ala-bubba-ama

I:You have failed to read the title thread " What you DON'T like. You need to read the thread "Unhappy living in N. AL." I'm not alone. I'm glad your happy here. I have lived N. S. E. and W. Mainly cities. This by far is the most narrow minded place I have ever lived. You must be chairman of welcoming committee.

No, I just don't sit there and moan about my lot in life and point my finger at an entire community as to why I am unhappy. I seem to have fun and make friends regardless of where I am. There are lots of things that are legitimate complaints about Huntsville, but I don't think that "unfriendly" is one of them.

[knightofeffect]

Originally Posted by rnc76

No, I just don't sit there and moan about my lot in life and point my finger at an entire community as to why I am unhappy. I seem to have fun and make friends regardless of where I am. There are lots of things that are legitimate complaints about Huntsville, but I don't think that "unfriendly" is one of them.

As hinted at by his witty username, ala-bubba-bama does not have a constructive comment to make. His best hope for being in this forum is to spread some of the unhappiness he has appearently aquired while staying here. Unfortuently a forum gives a soapbox to anyone who wants it, but it doesn't force us to listen or respond.

I say all this while finding myself agreeing with bubba to some degree. In my 18 years of living in Huntsville I came across my fair share of judgemental and mostly hyprocritical bible trumpeters. While I'm not saying that there is more in Huntsville than anywhere else in the South (or the north for that matter), the hyprocritical/holier-than-though people really get under my skin. I suppose its possible, while unlikely, that bubba has managed to nearly exclusively run into a condensed group of judgemental people whereas it was just a brief occasional occurance for me.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by knightofeffect

In my 18 years of living in Huntsville I came across my fair share of judgemental and mostly hyprocritical bible trumpeters. .

Sinner !!!

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by ala-bubba-ama

I will be glad to tell you what I don't like. The first year, it was shock and awe. No one said hi, how are you, welcome, or nice to meet you. The first words: What church are you affiliated with, what is your education, what do you do for a liviing. Immediately judging and categorizing. This is what you call southern hospitality? No thank you. People are fake (not all, about 90%), most local buss. people are shady, people hide behide thier Bibles. No city life, not much of a downtown except the court house. The closest place for entertainment is Atlanta . As I have said before It is a buyer beware state for a reason. There is a lot of do as I say, not as I do. I'm moving this spring, can't wait. My bags are packed. I don't care if the door hits me on the way out. I'm not looking back. Only foward. Going back to the N.E., to people I can trust.

I wouldn't think that North Alabama with its fairly equal split of natives and transplants is so rude and unaccepting. I don't know, though, I haven't been to Huntsville in 15 years and that was just to visit the Space Center. (I have, however, met some rude and condescending people from the Birmingham area, but that's more central AL.)

Anyhow, take a look at this thread in the Louisville Forum. http://www.city-data.com/forum/louis...-new-post.html. Louisville, like (apparently) Seattle, Portland (OR) and Minneapolis, has that "freeze" thing going on. Or, look at Lexington: http://www.city-data.com/forum/kentu...ington-ky.html

See, you'll find people everywhere voicing complaints about where they live, myself included.