North Huntsville (Meridianville, Columbia, Providence: insurance, crime, new home)

[deesonic]

Originally Posted by BMW Dave

It use to be called Normal, AL.

And that's the Fact of the day!

Normal refers to the A&M campus proper and it's own unique zip code, 35762. It is not, and never was, a city or town unto itself. North Huntsville encompasses a whole lot more than than Normal/Alabama A&M (for that matter UAH is technically in North Huntsville). At first glance, it's not a bad looking area. Most of the older homes are still fairly well kept. But it is, more or less, a higher crime area with less desirable schools for sure. But "north" covers lots of ground and there are certainly some areas in North Huntsville that are better than others I'd say. For instance, much of the Five Points area is considered north and still, for the most part, desirable for those looking for a more cosmopolitan living experience.

[AU HSV]

5 Points is more associated with downtown and NE HSV.
Downtowns northern boundary is designated as Oakwood.
But in any case North Huntsville has some hidden gems and will continue to improve.
Huntsville's biggest obstacle is our primitive road system and being held hostage by ALDOT.
Can you imagine a full interchange at North Parkway and Bob Wade (extended Research Park Blvd).
Too bad ALDOT only does poorly planned projects when they feel like it and even then maybe not.

[cool_cuttab]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Near Stringfield Road? It's a good thing you weren't looking for good schools - not there. The houses are older, but generally well-built. Safe? Not so much, but if you aren't involved with drugs and keep a low profile and fit the demographic you might be OK.

This is close to accurate, but honestly....there's nothing really unsafe about North Huntsville. Yes, there is a higher crime rate on the North, but you don't have to be fearful for your life while living there. Get a home alarm installed and you'll be fine. Take care of your yard and be kind to your neighbors (who will most likely be middle aged African Americans with decent jobs and grown kids). People WILL break into your home if you don't protect it, but that happens everywhere.

If you want to DM me the particular area you're looking into (I'm talking down to the street), I'd be happy to give my opinion. Mostly my entire family lives in North Huntsville.

[writerwife]

Personally, I don't know anyone that does want to move to N. Hsv. And, there are a lot of security bars on doors and windows. I'm sure that there are better areas than others but generally, it's not known to be the better part of town.

[allandall]

check it out yourself:

1st go to Huntsville crime | al.com

2nd, find it at Google Maps -or- google earth

[RatSnake]

If you really want northern portion of Huntsville, try going further north ... like Meridianville.
You get lots of land ...and depending on which subdivision you live, still get some very decent amenities.

It's only 5-10 minutes further out.

[deesonic]

Originally Posted by BMW Dave

It use to be called Normal, AL.

And that's the Fact of the day!

Normal refers to the campus of Alabama A&M University, not North Huntsville as a whole. It got that name because A&M was established as a "normal school," now more commonly referred to as teachers' colleges. It's not a name of any town past or present, just the name of the site of Alabama A&M and exists wholly within the city limits of Huntsville.

[JakeWilliams]

Originally Posted by cool_cuttab

People WILL break into your home if you don't protect it, but that happens everywhere.

I consider locking my door protecting my home, and I've never had it broken into. If you live in a place that you need to install an alarm and/or bars on your windows, then you live in a high crime area.

The biggest issue with North Huntsville is that they keep electing Richard Showers as their council member, because they buy into the BS that he spews.

[RatSnake]

"The biggest issue with North Huntsville is that they keep electing Richard Showers as their council member, because they buy into the BS that he spews."

Yes - isn't he ethically challenged councilman who let his family members illegally access/avail of city-owned fuel during the April 27 tornado aftermath?

Yes - avoid North Huntsville!

[Reactionary]

Yes, Showers is the gashole:

The Alabama Ethics Commission has determined that Huntsville City Councilman Richard Showers committed a "minor violation" when he allowed his daughter to gas up at a government fuel terminal on the day after the April 27 tornadoes.

Ethics commission says Huntsville City Councilman Richard Showers' use of fuel terminal a "minor violation" | al.com