Thinking of moving to Huntsville - What is it like - Really (Madison: car rental, coupons)

[FCEddie]

Natlav,

I just moved here from Hartford about 6 months ago. Originally from New Orleans, so maybe I have slightly similar perspective to Montreal. In any case, Huntsville is not typical South. With so many foreigners living here, its more of an international city than you might expect.

The cost of living is much lower, people are much friendlier than in Connecticut, and the city is growing. Its not going to be Montreal or New Orleans, but its going to be a very cool city.

I'm glad we moved down here, my wife is really loving the place, and my son (at UAH) is very happy.

[MemphisMonkeyMane]

Originally Posted by natlav

cglover - i'm originally from Montreal. my husband is interviewing for a job in huntsville - i also work in the tech field. Can you tell me how huntsville compares to montreal. we will be visiting the area next week but i have aolt of reservations about moving to the south - we're in hartford now and i find that rural compared to montreal. would i be a fish out of water down there as an east coaster? everything i have seen seems to br from people from florida, texas or calif. - btw i have 3 young kids so if anyone can recommend any non religious affiliated daycares to check out that'd help - we/ve beentold that we basically want madison - any comments

thanks

I've lived all over....including west Montreal ! and west Hartford as well.
don't expect the european flair so omnipresent in Montreal...nor is it influenced by the NY corridor...which in my thinking is a blessing.

Frankly I enjoy Huntsville....don't live in Huntspatch, but we are longtime property owners.

Huntsville is a 'big small town', but a growing one with a developing personality, that frankly has little to do with traditional "Alabama" in many many ways.

I will warn you however, it's NOTHING like Montreal, one of my favorite cities on the planet.

You might even find it boring by comparison....especially if you're under 35..

But, the city has interesting and intelligent people....and tons of potential !

Believe me, you could do a lot worse !!...like some spots in TN or SC or N. GA.....

[southernraised]

I just wanted to say that diversity definitely is not an issue in Huntsville. I work with people from Chicago, Atlanta, Michigan, Connecticut, Florida, upstate New York...just to name a few!

[jkratze1]

Originally Posted by southernraised

I just wanted to say that diversity definitely is not an issue in Huntsville. I work with people from Chicago, Atlanta, Michigan, Connecticut, Florida, upstate New York...just to name a few!

Sounds like people from much larger metros have moved to Huntsville.

[ionlife]

Yes they have--lots of cultures represented here. Unfortunately, I am still awaiting someone to come here that will open up an amazing lebanese restaurant. There is thai, oriental, japanese, indian, italian (of course), and greek--but nor lebanese, or mediterranean food which I absolutely adore.While visiting in Vienna VA this week I have filled up on all my favorite foods, including an amazing afghanistan buffet at the National Art Gallery--mmmmmm--

Last night we had take out souvlaki! Yummmm

Okay, I will quit drooling and get serious--this area is diverse and is growing culturally. I think a move here would be great for the family. But don't expect it to be like Montreal--that would be like expecting a nice place in Provence to be like Paris.

[briloveswendy]

My fiance and I will be moving down to Harvest from New Jersey about mid-October, and would like to know about nice restaurants in the area...

[gsp4ever]

Cglover--have you tried Papa Gyro's on University? That's where I get my fix for mediterranean food. It's not fancy but you can get your falafel, gyros, moussaka, etc. there. I'm not sure where the owner is from but it's always very crowded and the food is good.

It's in the same shopping center as Chili's--as you head East on University Drive it's on the right past the Madison Square Mall (Old Monrovia Road) but before you get to Wynn Drive.

[briloveswendy]

I am curious about the term that I've been seeing around here - "Huntspatch." What exactly is that a refernce to?

[gsp4ever]

It's one of the nicknames for Huntsville. You'll also hear Huntsvegas and, my personal favorite, HuntsVILE. TeeHee

I believe Huntspatch, is referring to Huntsville's rural, agricultural element and history. You know, like a cabbage patch.

[clamoore]

I think the Huntspatch tag is from the old Lil' Abner comic strip. I believe that the town in the strip was Dogpatch.