From Detroit to huntsville?? (Birmingham, Mobile: transplants, construction, taxes)

[financelife]

quote=Neversleep;532264]When this project is complete (hoping for retail openings beginning in September) Huntsville will be on the map in regards to shopping, dining, and hotel accomodations; just as Nashville and Atlanta are. [/quote]

LOL. Bridge Street is not going to put huntsville on the "map" for shopping. I moved from Huntsville (I am a Huntsvillian at heart though) as did another friend of mine who moved to California, and despite the hype we kept getting fed, Huntsville is not blowing up any time soon. However, Bridge Street will be good for those in Huntsville who have lived there for a long time. People from other places will just laugh as us country people get goosebumps over a movie theatre and Kate Spade store. ooooooooo, ahhhhhh.

Here's a pic that shows us country folks enjoying bridge street. Hilarious.

[leavin_florida]

If you build it they will come??? I visited the Bridge Street Mall over the Thanksgiving holiday - I think the guys who pitched this idea should run for president - if they could convince investors to buy into Bridge Street they probably could talk their way into the white house. Twelve bucks to watch a movie with upscale concession in the grown up movie theaters of Monaco? Are they kidding?

[rnc76]

I think Bridge Street will do well. The demographics can support an upscale entertainment area like Bridge Street. Once the restaurants are open, I think the place will really be hopping on the weekends.

Financelife: What is hilarious about those pictures???? Bridge Street is the biggest retail development in the history of Huntsville, $200+ million dollar development. It is a pretty big deal for a city Huntsville's size to attract a development that large. People in this area are excited about it and rightfully so IMO. Why the condescending attitude?

[knightofeffect]

Bridge Street is designed to be an upscale shopping experience in everyway. If you aren't into the higher end shopping retailers then this place isn't for you.

The Monaco is actually only $10 if you don't buy a prive (VIP) ticket. Personally, I absolutely love the Monaco, as the prive area is the perfect upscale hang out joint. Also the movie screens and general movie experience is second to none. Just what I would expect for my $2 dollars extra on the ticket.

While most of the stores aren't particularly outstanding from the nearby Summit in Birmingham, with Juicy Coulture being the exception (only 20 worldwide); the dining opportunities are certainly enough to make Huntsville a destination. The italian resturant Dolce is only located in LA, Reno, Atlanta, and now Huntsville; its sister resturant, Ketchup, only exists in West Hollywood and Huntsville. Pretty much that whole end of Bridge Street triangle of Monaco, Ketchup, and Dolce delievers a dining and entertainment experience that you would be hard pressed to meet even major cities such as Detroit.

Bridge Street is exactly what Huntsville has needed with its high GDP. It offers the upscale shopping that you would have to travel to Birmingham for previously, a cultural styling that is reminisant of Europe complete with gondaliers, and a dining and entertainment experience that parrellels major city markets.

Getting people to invest in Bridge Street was no real trick, as Huntsville's development numbers scream for a better shopping experience. For the many that don't get all giddy for the nicer things, there is Madison Square, Wal-Mart, and Hollywood 18 conviently located in Huntsville as well.

[financelife]

I'm not being condescending. I think it's great for Huntsville and the people there. I was referring to the comment that it puts Huntsville on the map. People from Atlanta, for instance, are not going to be driving to Huntsville just because there's a Dolce. Actually, the restaurants were smart to move there because there is a lack of competition. So please don't think they moved there because Huntsville is 'the' place to be. Remember, it's still "Alabama" to outsiders. Would any of you be thrilled if Bridge St was built in Arab? If it was built there, would it be the shopping destination of the south and you would want to relocate to Arab? Or what if it was Albertville? The way you feel about Arab and Albertville compared to Huntsville is the same people from DC, ATL, and LA feel about Huntsville.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by financelife

I'm not being condescending. I think it's great for Huntsville and the people there. I was referring to the comment that it puts Huntsville on the map. People from Atlanta, for instance, are not going to be driving to Huntsville just because there's a Dolce. Actually, the restaurants were smart to move there because there is a lack of competition. So please don't think they moved there because Huntsville is 'the' place to be. Remember, it's still "Alabama" to outsiders. Would any of you be thrilled if Bridge St was built in Arab? If it was built there, would it be the shopping destination of the south and you would want to relocate to Arab? Or what if it was Albertville? The way you feel about Arab and Albertville compared to Huntsville is the same people from DC, ATL, and LA feel about Huntsville.

I guess I misunderstood your tone, I apologize.

I agree Huntsville is not going to become a shopping mecca because of Bridge St. However, I do think people in surrounding communties within 1 to 1.5 hours will be more likely to make a night of it and come into Huntsville on a weekend. Folks that would have previously driven further to Nashville or Birmingham for entertainment may decide to make the shorter trip up to Huntsville instead occasionally because there are some decent options now. Another big plus will be that the companies on the Research Park will have someplace decent to take people out for a business lunch or an interview.

Hopefully the Constellation development happens to the level that they were proposing too. That would be a big boost for downtown.

[knightofeffect]

I agree that people from Atlanta won't travel to Huntsville for Dolce, mainly because they have a Dolce in Atlanta as I stated earlier. However, if there are Atlantians that love Dolce and their restaurant group (Ten Pin Alley, Geisha House), then it is not ludicrous to assume a few might travel to Huntsville for the latest addition to the group, Ketchup. (The next closest one is in West Hollywood.) Heck, they might even make a night of it and go to a movie right next door.

I'm not saying that people will be making mass pilgrimages to Huntsville from larger cities because of Bridge Street (they are mostly doing that because we are smaller), but like it or not, Huntsville has a couple of pretty exclusive things in the Monaco and Ketchup.

I also completely agree that putting them in Huntsville is a great idea due to the lack of competition. However, instead of people laughing at silly little Huntsville and their backwards Alabama ways; it seems they would be more like "Hey, how did Huntsville get a Ketchup and we don't even have one in Atlanta?". It’s pretty special/lucky that Huntsville is getting the opportunity to share some of the nicer amenities with Atlanta and Hollywood, and it is certainly something that an Alabama city should be proud of.

It makes us feel like we are finally shedding some of the "Alabama veil", as I like to call it. If investors are picking Huntsville for development on the same level as those other cities, I don't see how that can be seen any other way but progressive. You are so quick to point out that we haven't, and likely won't shed the stereotypes and bias that surrounds Huntsville because of its last name. Well we are sure as hell trying, and with every step, such as Bridge Street, we rejoice that we are a little closer.

[knightofeffect]

And if you weren't being condescending, then I misunderstand the meaning of the word.

[AQUEMINI331]

Originally Posted by tom07

hey how are you guys doing, im doing a little bit of research about Huntsville because my employer is about to build a new center in the Cummings Research Park. I have a few questions about the city before i really make my choice on whether to do the relocation or not, but let me give you a little background about me first: Im a 23 y/o male with no kids, heck no girlfriend either so im not really worried about housing prices or school systems at this point because i will be renting an apartment if i moved down there.. im currently located in Detroit, MI which of course is a much more populated area than Huntsville, but do you guys have some of the same things as larger cities just on a smaller scale? I have been doing some research and the economy looks to be in great shape unlike up here in MI so that is strong selling point of course.. But to wrap this up.. how do you think the average 21-25 y/o would enjoy Huntsville? Is there a vibrant downtown? Also how diverse is the area, im african american and so is 95% of Detroit as well, so whats the ratio in the Huntsville area.. Thanks in advance

What's up man? I'm also 23 years old and black. I was born and raised in Birmingham (a city that some Alabamians refer to as the "Detroit of the South" for all of the wrong reasons) and I went to A&M for undergrad.


Anyway................if you move to Huntsville I can tell you right now, you will find many of your Detroit brethren there (particularly around A&M campus). There's probably just as many Michigan license plates (and for that matter, Illinois and Missouri) there as there are in Detroit itself. You will most certainly not be the first person (especially not the first black person) to make that move from Detroit to Huntsville. Overall it will be an adjustment and it may not be easy. It is a slower pace of life. The weather is warmer, but not warm. I mean, compared to Detroit yes it may be warm but when December/January comes around you will still need a coat, hat, and gloves and even long johns when you step outside, especially at night. The good news is though that it will only snow about once or twice a year, and only a couple of inches even then so no real big problems as far as having to deal with driving in winter weather. Also, winter is short. From December until March it will be cold, and even then you may get a warm spell where temps climb back up into the 50s or even the 60s. Of course, they'll dip right back down into 20s and 30s for daytime highs a few days later, but hey. It WILL be warmer than Detroit, I can assure you of that. Just don't expect it to be Florida or Southern California.


Huntsville has virtually no violent crime to speak of, especially compared to a typical major U.S. city. Back in Birmingham, a double homicide is almost nothing, it is mentioned on the news callouslly among other items. I'm sure Detroit is the same way. In Huntsville, a murder is BIG news, there are only about 10-15 per year (if that many). I'm sure that you'll be pleased to hear that.


With that being said, I live in Chicago now and am finishing up a master's degree in urban planning. Anything you want to know about Huntsville, just ask me. As far as nightlife.................I'll be honest - it's OK but not great. Better make some friends and enjoy spending Saturday nights at the bar at Indigo Joes or Buffalo Wild Wings or TGI Fridays or something like that, because the clubs are not all that. I mean..................and maybe this is just me. I'm not into the whole club scene for real. Most hip-hop style clubs don't play the kind of rap music I really like, I don't really dance (i just get drunk and bob my head) and well hell, I just wasn't a big fan of Huntsville's night life.


And Huntsville really does not offer a whole lot of options in terms of black nightlife or entertainment. In Birmingham, we had the clubs but we also had spoken word joints, black theatres, lounges with pool tables and live music, etc. As far as I know, Huntsville has none of that, just regular dirty south clubs where people go to smoke, drink, and sit outside in the parking lot in Chevy Caprices sitting on 24s. Not my scene, but it may be yours.


For a city of its size, it's about what you would expect but don't expect much. You may even find yourself heading to Birmingham (1 1/2 hours away), Nashville (1 hour, 45 min away), or Atlanta (4 hours away) for nightlife. More than anything, Huntsville is a family-oriented community; the only reason any nightlife exists at all is because of UAH, A&M, and Oakwood.



BTW...........................whoever said that a degree at A&M can be used as fish wrapper..................f*** you. If you'd like to me compose a list of all that's RIGHT with A&M, I will gladly do it but for now I don't have the time.


_

[financelife]

Originally Posted by knightofeffect

And if you weren't being condescending, then I misunderstand the meaning of the word.

Condescending is more when somebody is looking down on someone or something else. I don't look down on Huntsville. Whenever I tell people where I'm from, I'm quick to point out the people in Huntsville are different from the rest of Alabama whenever they give me a "oh, Alabama." I'm in TN currently but come across people from other places often. It's kind of like Huntsville doesn't belong there.

Plus something like bridge street is going to take time to fit in with the culture of huntsville. Huntsville is not necessarily "upscale" just because people have money. Until it changes drastically, Huntsville is a place to settle down. A place where high income professionals can move to for a slower pace and raise their children. I actually know plenty of Huntsvillians who detest the Atlanta lifestyle, and enjoy Huntsville for its own unique charm. Bridge Street was put there to attract outsiders. Otherwise it would have been put there years ago.