Hoping to relocate (Huntsville, Valley, Arab: trip , work, house)

[Big Ken]

Hello everyone. I've been reading these threads for months now and have to say that there are lots of great people on this board offering tons of helpful advice! I've been wanting to relocate for some time to the Huntsville area but the stubmling block has been convincing my wife that it is something we ought to do. I've particulary followed all of ZennJenn's inputs since like her we are southern california natives and I've enjoyed following her pre-move thoughts, throughout the move and house buying process and her experiences since being there.

I've finally convinced my wife to take a trip and visit the city and just spend some time looking around and getting the lay of the land. We'll be back there the last week of March after spending some time visiting with my father in North Carolina and I can't wait.

I'll continue to go back through all the old posts looking for information but does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions on things to do or see.

I've been spending time looking at the Valley MLS and have spoken with a realtor and am set up with auto-emails whenever a house within the parameters I'm looking at is listed or has a revised listing and keep sharing those with my wife.

Just for curiosities sake, what kind of weather might we expect late March/early April?

Looking forward to being there soon!

[Reactionary]

Big Ken - last year, March was beautiful - 60s and 70s, sunny, rain about once a week - then we had the Easter freeze - killed all the budding flowers.

So expect temperatures ranging from 28 to 70 (possibly within the same week) and sun or rain.

[NicoleC]

Enjoy your visit. Wait until you see the local idea of bad traffic... more than 4 cars in a row.

On the other hand, people here spend more time driving than I ever did in So Cal, but think a 60 minute commute is easy. Fair warning: if you've been jaded on So Cal traffic, you will find your tolerance for driving suddenly plummets as soon as you get here. If 60 minutes doesn't sound bad to you now... it may, very soon!

[Southlander]

Weather in late March/early April: highs in the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s...snow, rain and sunshine...cloudy and sunny days...like every other fall/winter/spring month, all 4 seasons in 1 week! You never know. Or, as expressed in local slang, "You just don't never know."

[Big Ken]

Ok, so I think what I'm hearing is bring everything between a parka and a swimsuit with an umbrella thrown in for good measure

Nicole, thanks for the traffic input. It sounds pretty much like what I have now driving wise. I live out in the High Desert working at Edwards Air Force base where there just isn't anywhere close to live near the base so it's pretty mandatory to have a 45 minute drive to work. Not so many cars backed up, but plenty of coyotes and tumbleweeds to keep on the lookout for!

Thanks for the replies, I look forward to actually getting back there.

[Keeper]

It all depends on where you work and where you live as to drive time. My neighbor works at Redstone and it takes him 25 minutes to get to work from Arab, which is 25 miles from here on a normal day.

Southlander is right about the weather..hopefully it will be nice while you are here.

We are expecting snow this weekend though. Doesn't happen every winter, but it is fun since it doesn't last long.