Relocating to florence, al area (Huntsville, Sheffield: houses, neighborhoods, theater)

[Dkgnb]

We are relocating to florence, al in May with our kids:14, 11, & 9. What areas or neighborhoods are recommended to raise a family with these desires: feeding into great schools, 1/2 acre + lot, near downtown area? Any suggestions or information on the area would be helpful. Performing arts, esp. Musical theatre, is a huge priority for my oldest; any children theatre groups near the area? Also where can I find information on summer programs to get the kids plugged in before school starts?

[Southlander]

Sorry, DKGNB, we just don't have anybody from that area on the forum. Occasionally someone pops up, but the usually are gone right away.
I do know that some of the schools are very good - Florence, Brooks (Lauderdale County), Sheffield.
You've probably found out that there are a number of different school systems. Florence City, Lauderdale County, Colbert County, Sheffield, Tuscumbia.
There is also a private school, Mars Hill, which I don't believe is quite as academically rigorous as Florence High.

Gingerbread Players is the youth division of Shoals Community Theatre. The University of North Alabama has a theatre program as well...not sure if they use non-students, though. If you're willing to drive about an hour, you could participate in several theatre groups in Huntsville. Lee High School in particular has a strong theatre program.
Neighborhoods - I really know nothing about.
I'm sorry we can't be more helpful.
Good luck! Welcome to Alabama!

[RocketDawg]

I'm not that familiar with the Shoals area, but there is a nice neighborhood centered around the Blackberry Trail golf course. It's Florence's municipal course, and is very nice. It couldn't be very far from downtown since Florence is such a small town.

I also have heard that there are several art galleries downtown, so there must be some interest in the arts in the area.

[writerwife]

All I really know about it is that my niece & her young family live there and they love it.

[AU HSV]

Florence has great potential and kind of a hidden gem in this state. Huntsville is their main larger metro but Memphis and even Nashville are available as well. A lot of kids from the Huntsville are go to UNA. Turtle Point area in Killen is pretty nice

[MSUTaTonkaAU]

Unless things have changed, location doesn't matter too much for schools if you want the city school. In the past, the city schools were not zoned for a particular area unless overcrowding became an issue. Also, in the past they have allowed county residents to pay a most tuition to attend the city schools. I'm not sure what their rules are currently. I would think most desirable places (newness and size of houses for a family your size) to live would be East and North of Cox Creek Parkway with a few other nice pockets of older and even historic neighborhoods closer to downtown. For the county schools, I think they are zoned and likely do not accept city-dwellers. There are also several private, mostly religious based schools available if that is your thing.

My background is that we lived in the city limits and just outside the city limits while attending the city schools, paying tuition when in the county. The system has changed quite a bit since then (i.e. closures and consolidations), but we got good educations there and have enjoyed decent careers after college.

[MSUTaTonkaAU]

Oh and as to theater, look up the Gingerbread Playhouse and Zodiac theater. I assume those are still going strong.