bad areas in HSV (Huntsville, Butler: best neighborhood, apartment, house)

[financelife]

Originally Posted by marysally

The $1M+ homes of Clift's Cove are in 35758. Not exactly ghetto in my book.

If you don't live there, then you live in the Madison ghetto. And "ghetto" isn't about home prices, it's about people and attitude. 35758 is where people in SW huntsville would move to in order to live the good life (ghetto fab), but that was about 10 years ago, so maybe it's not like that anymore. Madison had more of a chance to change that area before it became a real problem. Unlike Huntsville's SW 35805 area. It is too late.

And I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that because everyone needs an area they can afford, if revitalization were to indeed happen in the SW area, then where would all the welfare people, public housing, working class, lower middle class people go? And I believe good areas start with parents raising their kids, then communities caring about their neighborhoods, and then city council helping with EFFORTS by the community. If people don't care at the basic levels.....

Huntsville overall is pretty safe. But the question was where is the good vs bad areas, and I think I have been honest and objective when giving my answer. I am not tied to any neighborhood there financially like some who have answered (property values). And seriously, I attended what is considered one of the bottom 2 high schools in Huntsville. Got full scholarships, got my BS then my MS, and doing okay. And even though I might go back and change a couple of things growing up, I am sort of glad I grew up in that neighborhood with welfare friends. Because when you're at the bottom, you have only the future to look forward to, and now living in a Hampton Cove area in a $250K house that I put $100K down payment I am living the American Dream. And I owe it to having lived in 35805, the ghetto, the 'hood of Huntsville. I was able to save that down payment through living WAAAY below my means there after graduating from college. Thank you, 35805 for the $100K down payment!

But it is still the BAD area of town, and I won't lie about that. The question is, are you able to adjust your standard of living to live there?

I'm visiting Huntsville this coming weekend, so maybe I'll take a few snap shots of my old neighborhood and post up here.

[clamoore]

Being an engineer, nothing makes me more determined to do something than to have someone tell me that something is impossible or improbable (within the laws of reason and physics!) I will have to work that much harder to help revitalize my neighborhood in Merrimack Mill.

I am definitely not discouraged in this effort, as I have met four other couples recently moving into the neighborhood to restore properties and live in them. As stated, I do have an monetary interest in the neighborhood since I am a property holder (or will be soon). I won't try to disguise this fact. I wouldn't recommend this effort for the faint of heart, but I wouldn't advise against it to people looking to build a strong community and get a good value for their money.

Some of the houses in Merrimack are over 100 years old, have old growth timber in their structures, offer space in the range of 2600 - 3600 square feet and are a great value inside the city limits. I chose this area due to the sturdiness of the house, the proximity to the Arsenal, the friendship of the neighborhood association members, the lack of traffic congestion getting to all areas of Huntsville and the long-term prospective ROI.

[financelife]

Originally Posted by clamoore

Being an engineer...<snip>.

I am definitely not discouraged in this effort, as I have met four other couples recently moving into the neighborhood to restore properties and live in them. As stated, I do have an monetary interest in the neighborhood since I am a property holder (or will be soon). I won't try to disguise this fact. I wouldn't recommend this effort for the faint of heart, but I wouldn't advise against it to people looking to build a strong community and get a good value for their money.

<snip>the friendship of the neighborhood association members, the lack of traffic congestion getting to all areas of Huntsville and the long-term prospective ROI.

Yes, a plus of living in 35805 is it is in the center of town it seems. It's very noble of you as an outsider to help revitalize that area. The only houses I can think that fit your descriptions are the duplexes that some are "revitalizing" into single residences. Now what area are you in exactly to have a neighborhood association? Is it near Triana Blvd? And do you have children? If you do, visit the elementary, middle, and high schools there, and let us know if everything works out okay with the purchase.

Another tidbit about the area, Newson Rd and Penny St are known as crackhead lanes. One can draw their own conclusions. I have an engineer friend who lived there once because it was cheap. No denying that, even I benefitted from it. But when his second child turned 8 months old, and his older one turned 2, he moved to 35802. We've considered going back to Huntsville in the future like 5-10 years, but I don't know if I would move back there with my son who is now 8 months old. Unless the revitalization makes progress.

[VMH2507]

Originally Posted by financelife

If you don't live there, then you live in the Madison ghetto. And "ghetto" isn't about home prices, it's about people and attitude. 35758 is where people in SW huntsville would move to in order to live the good life (ghetto fab), but that was about 10 years ago, so maybe it's not like that anymore.

I moved to Madison about 10 years ago from Houston and quite frankly have no idea what you mean by Madison ghetto. What is this "people and attitude" that you are referring to? I don't live in Cliff's Cove, but in a very nice ~20 year old subdivision of custom built homes. Many of the people in Madison moved from other parts of the country - my neighbors are from upstate NY, Atlanta area, Texas, St. Louis, etc. I know of none who moved from other parts of Huntsville area as you refer to in your post.

[33458]

It's all subjective - I moved from South Florida and when anyone speaks of a ghetto here in Huntsville, I could be standing right in front of it and still have to ask, "WHERE?"

Right down the street at the start of Oak Park, we have some Sanford and Son action, but we had that in our "desirable" $350,000. white picketed, sub-tropical neighborhood, too. I prefer salvage over HOA.

Have driven by the projects several times and been struck by how WELL MAINTAINED they are...uhm, maybe there is another area that I have not been exposed to. Haven't been in the thick of it yet.

Again, I am comparing to the smutty dregs I am more familiar with avoiding.

[DvlsAdvc8]

In the south, when looking for the nicer areas, I have always just looked for the most golf courses / country clubs. There's a pretty strong correlation there, and its easy to see on a map (being golf courses usually get distinctive green coloring).

In Huntsville, this is very clearly the southeastern side. So I wasn't surprised when I asked the question, most of the responses pointed to this area - and in all likelihood, that's where I'll go.

[hey teach]

We moved to Huntsville 2 years ago. I am a teacher, my husband works for Boeing. There are many nice neighborhoods to choose from here. Yes, Madison is a nice place, but you may get more for your dollar by looking in the eastern areas such as Winchester Road between the parkway and New Market, Hwy 72 toward Gurley or Scottsboro, or toward Owens Crossroads and New Hope. Much of this depends on how much you want to commute. The schools in these areas are excellent and while there is much growth there appears to be little crime.

Should you want to reside closer into the city, there is much division about the town. The north/west area (north of Oakwood Ave) is predominately africian-american. This is due to the proximity of Alabama A & M University.
This area has a growing hispanic population but many the area south-west of Sparkman Dr and Memorial Parkway has a sizeable hispanic population also.

Many consider the schools in these areas to be less than desirable, but a good education is available at any public school in Huntsville City or Madison County if it is desired.

There are abundant shopping and receational opportunities which are easy to reach by auto or public transportation.

We love living in Huntsville. W hope you will be happy here too.

[1Simpleman]

I grew up in the so called bad area of Huntsville, the Northwest Section, went to Rolling Hills Elm, Davis Hills Middle and Johnson High .....all considered bad schools , however I got my education ...have a great job and really wouldnt change a thing about where i grew up...im actually proud of it. It taught me alot. My Mom and Dad still live in the area, there are good parts believe it or not in the northwest.......

Also have to give my 2cents on a great place to live that one poster has said , and that is the Northeast section of town ( out Winchester rd or hwy 72) I just had a house built in a great neighborhood off winchester rd. The schools are great. The traffic gets a bad rap, but its really not that bad , even at rush hour. I lived in the Harvest/Monrovia area before and it sucks as far as traffic....to many 4way stops that take forever to get through in my opinion, way worse than where im at now. Anyway jsut my take on it.....happy house hunting and welcome to Huntsvegas!!! The Oasis of the south

[outsidethebox]

I'm also a longtime resident of this area. It has been a "bad" neighborhood that my family and I have tirelessly fought to improve. Our biggest neighborhood slume lord has passed on and his son is beginning to sell off his property which will greatly improve this neigborhood. I see houses being remodeled daily and have had friends and family that have remodeled these homes and turned them into show pieces. My home is not yet one of those homes but slowly will be.

You can not get the floor space for the same dollar with the charm and history any where else in the city and you can still get a real bargain if you are up for the work to remodel.

The schools will need to improve but at one time not really that long ago were very good schools and can be again. That is just a matter of having parents that get involved.

I love that this neighborhood is taking on new life and am excited to see this forum discussion about us. I look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.

[clamoore]

OTB, I am one week away from becoming a neighbor. I have sold my home in the Five Points Historic District and I have purchased a home in the Merrimack Mill Village. I don't have any school-aged children. I am one of those "old house nuts", as my father-in-law calls me, and I am very excited about moving in. We bought a house that has been renovated from a duplex to a single-family dwelling. We will have to do some maintenance, but for the most part, the house is move-in ready. Modern conveniences and decorations. I will expand my living space from 1450 sq. ft. to over 3600 sq. ft. All this for an increase of less than $30K in my debt load. You can't beat this, IMO! This location is within 5 minutes of my worksite on the Arsenal and 3 minutes from my off-Arsenal workspace. I have the potential to ride a bike, once I become brave enough to risk the Old Madison Pike traffic.

A lot of discussion on this site revolves around newish developments. I can't fault people for buying what they want. More power to 'em. I, personally, like buying older properties and working on them. I feel this sweat equity, plus community outreach, is a very good investment. My wife bought in Five Points in 1998. When we sold, we made an outstanding profit. I hope to buy into the Merrimack neighborhood for the long haul. I hope to make a nice nest egg when I am ready to downsize for retirement.

There is risk involved in moving to the Southwest, but people also once said that about Twickenham and Old Towne and Five Points. The upside for gain in Merrimack is astronomical. The neighborhood is rapidly filling with motivated people. We have met five couples that have purchased properties since we purchased our house. Two couples were from out-of-state and fell in love with the neighborhood. I look forward to being a part of a great community!