Thinking of moving to Huntsville - What is it like - Really (Birmingham: upper-class, 2009)

[33458]

Grease and Juniper.

(I need to plant more Jasmine.)

[claymaster]

I presently live in the mts. of NC. Because of the high cost of living and the extremely low job oppertunities with low pay, I was going to move to Eureka Springs, AR. Now I'm thinking of moving to Huntsville, AL..
Can anyone give me a comparison of the two places?
I also HATE!!!!! humidity and I am afraid that the humidity might be a bit much in Huntsville. I've never been to either place but I am a potter and I've heard that there are opportunities there in Huntsville.
I wish I could find a place that offered all that I want ie. 4 seasons, LOW to NO humidity mild winters, mild summers, and the art scene and affordability that I want and need. I getting older and I'm tired of searching all over the US for "MY"place besides time may be running out and I want to settle down grow roots and be happy in a community.
So having said ALL that I'm ready to hear opinions and reasons for them. And I thank you for them in advance. Linda

[mm42]

The humidity here is pretty high in the summer. You can get some relief from that by living on Monte Sano or Green Mountain.

[claymaster]

Thanks mm42, Where is Monte Sano or Green Mt.???

[friday13]

Originally Posted by claymaster

Thanks mm42, Where is Monte Sano or Green Mt.???

Monte Sano-the area atop the same "mountain"; follow Bankhead Pkwy starting at Pratt Ave (5 Points), it meanders all the way to the top, or take Monte Sano Blvd from Governors from the other side of the mountain (coming from Hampton Cove). They have a good elementary there. 9/10 GreatSchools


Green Mountain is in south Hsv, off Bailey Cove (Green Mountain Rd)

[julilg]

Originally Posted by claymaster

I presently live in the mts. of NC. Because of the high cost of living and the extremely low job oppertunities with low pay, I was going to move to Eureka Springs, AR. Now I'm thinking of moving to Huntsville, AL..
Can anyone give me a comparison of the two places?
I also HATE!!!!! humidity and I am afraid that the humidity might be a bit much in Huntsville. I've never been to either place but I am a potter and I've heard that there are opportunities there in Huntsville.
I wish I could find a place that offered all that I want ie. 4 seasons, LOW to NO humidity mild winters, mild summers, and the art scene and affordability that I want and need. I getting older and I'm tired of searching all over the US for "MY"place besides time may be running out and I want to settle down grow roots and be happy in a community.
So having said ALL that I'm ready to hear opinions and reasons for them. And I thank you for them in advance. Linda

check out Welcome to Weather Underground : Weather Underground

At a quick glance, it seems to me our avg humidity may be less than Arkansas'.

I'm orginally from CA and literally didn't even understand humidity & seasons until moving here. My first summer or two I found it unpleasant, but we humans are pretty resilient and eventually get acclimated. The highest & lowest temps or the worst of summer humidity & winter cold is generally short lived. I have more discomfort from all the indoor AC than the humidity and usually carry a sweater during the summer for meetings, movies,..

[claymaster]

Thanks friday13. Is it expensive there?????

Also a note to julilg~~~~ I used to be like you, but as you age you don't want to get used to things any more. You tend to know what you want and what you don't want. I HATE humidiy wheather it's in the heat or the cold. I used to hate AC and always had a sweater with me but that was yesterday not any more

[friday13]

Originally Posted by claymaster

Thanks friday13. Is it expensive there?????

Also a note to julilg~~~~ I used to be like you, but as you age you don't want to get used to things any more. You tend to know what you want and what you don't want. I HATE humidiy wheather it's in the heat or the cold. I used to hate AC and always had a sweater with me but that was yesterday not any more

I don't know about the mts. in NC where you live, but the "mountain" here has been debated on this forum: some call it mountain because that's what has been called for years and it's a higher elevation than the valley bellow. But it's not like CA coastline (Big Sur). Some said the correct definition of these mountains is plateau.
Anyway, point is there are a few hilly/mountaineous areas in Hsv/Madison commonly known: Rainbow Mtn (US72&Slaughter&Hughes), Monte Sano, Green Mtn, and further out in the country. I say area because, for example, on the west side of Monte Sano (east of 72) there is Chapman Mtn. Chapman Elem. not good. People living in the $$$ mcmansions there refer to their location as Monte Sano. It's like Hampton Cove proper and the area further out toward Owens Crossroads. We have friends saying they live in HC (in a 200k house, yeah, right)
As far as housing atop Monte Sano, I have not seen many listings. The area is zone for MSano elem (on the mountain), Hsv mid and Hsv high.
Green mtn. is zone for Mtn. Gap Elem. and Mid. and Grissom High.

Here's a link for different search criteria (Elizabeth G. is a forum member), a very helpful website in lieu of the public ValleyMLS.com posting the address. It specifically helpful for "casual" home (re)searchers, if you are not working with a realtor and just want to get a feel for the area before taking the step.
North Alabama Neighborhood/Subdivision Map Search

[julilg]

As Friday13 said, Madison County has only hills compared to CA Mtns and the Smokies, etc.

Although there may be some relief from humidity by living on Monte Sano; keep in mind that will be helpful only when you're at home. If you will work & play in town relief will be only indoor AC.

Did you get a chance to look it up, is Huntsville humidity higher than Arkansas, your other choice?

As a potter and being interested in art scene, if you decide Huntsville humidity is tolerable, I suggest you consider the 5 points area. It's aa historic district at the base of Mone Sano, close to downtown. It is very eclectic, lots of mixed use, you can probably sell your wares out of your house.

[caution]

People here can't merge. Keep that in mind if you visit to check the place out. :-)

And the "mountains" here are just what's left of a plateau that has been eroded. All the land was once that elevation.

That aside, they are nice.