For Upcoming Relocatees (Huntsville, Decatur, Madison: relocating, real estate, housing)

[zenjenn]

The Huntsville Times ran a piece yesterday (Sunday the 20th) about BRAC and how it is changing the area, including a whole section entitled "Choose your Neighborhood"

I haven't checked to see of al.com is running it online or anything, but I think it's a good piece for the upcoming relocatees to have a look at, among the other articles in the section.

[Charles]

I saw mention of this on a Huntsville real estate web site. The realtor offered to mail hardcopies (88 pages?). However, I think many or most of the individual articles are online. Check here for stories on 4/20/2008 (this will probably become stale soon):

al.com: News

(I think) Here are many of the links:

• Veterans fragile but famous
Latest group sees D.C. WWII memorials; visit brings smiles and tears

• Apart since 3rd grade, D.C. trip also reunion
Meeting at lunch brings memories of skipping class

• Students keep eye on sky
Successful launch more than big liftfor college teams

• Supporters look for Maple Hill's place in history
Pilgrimage Associationto seek landmark cemetery's addition to national register

• Semper Fi task force is looking for more to join up
First year was'incredible, farbeyond our hopes'

• 14 figures from Huntsville's past buried at Maple Hill
Many famous - and infamous - North Alabamians are among the 80,000 people buried in Maple Hill Cemetery. Here are a few of them:

• 2 child-care facilities going up at Redstone
More than 180 spots for children will be added

• 3 school systems face tough decisions
Systems will grow, but how much? And where?

• Accessibility, natural setting boosts Zierdt
Area set for road improvements, new middle school

• Airport expanding to meet influx of fliers
Facility will be able to handle 2 million passengers

• Alabama soon turned into my 'sweet home'
At the end of October 2007, with mixed emotions, we left Washington, D.C., for our new home in Huntsville, Ala.

• Analyst, 60, happy about new job move
Stuchells enjoying RV life until home in Virginia sells

• Apartment market will be ready for BRAC
4,200 units are under construction or are planned

• Area is 'best of both worlds' for Bledsoes
Living a country life, working in a modern city

• Arts groups lookingto expand offerings
Goal is to show our newcomersarts alive and well

• Athens has gained 'cosmopolitan' feel
City is on edge of rapid growth in Limestone County

• 'A wonderful place to live, work and play'
Kentucky native: "The perfect place for us to fit in'

• Big-city advantages without headaches
Family's love of Southern culture draws them back

• 'Biotechnology juggernaut' Institute will vault Huntsville into important field, according to Vice President Smitherman
While Huntsville is best known for enabling mankind's giant leap to the moon, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology will facilitate its next leap into improving the human condition on Earth, said Ethan Hadley.

• BRAC brings boost to service industry
'We're seeing a need for more workers overall'

• BRAC's military jobs should attract more
Companies that support work will come, leaders say

• Bridge Street offers a unique experience
You can shop, dine, see a movie all in one place

• Churches are growing in fresh directions
Big congregations get bigger; times, locations change

• City's biggest boom came in 1950s, 1960s
'Waves' of missile scientists strained local resources

• City's housing market ahead of the curve
Depressed sales in Virginia are impacting our area

• Community colleges find future's arrived
A lot of focus may be on retraining, upgrading skills

• Constellation ready to get your attention
Spring Hill Suites to be built first on old mall site

• Copter plant among the benefits of BRAC
New, expanding subdivisions are signs of growth

• Cost of living the key for Jefferson, family
Army vet is back after 2 training stints in Huntsville

• Country living offered in east part of county
New Hope, Gurley, Owens Cross Roads have laid-back feel

• D.C. travel may boom as transfers arrive
Industry experts are working with arsenal, airport

• Defense contractors focus on growth
Lockheed Martin increased local work force 9% last year

• Dolce executive chef thrives on the chaos
Wayne Shivers plans to add local produce to menu

• Downtown district is moving toward hip
You can work, live, be entertained without a car

• Educational outreach is inspiring to all ages
Program provides for 'hands-on investigation,' according to its director

• Enhanced use lease winner for Redstone
Plan sets aside 422 acres to prepare for BRAC

• Even with better roads, traffic will be busy
Projects in thenext four years at $279 million

• Everything you need in one neighborhood
Western area touts nearly all-inclusive communities

• Far south expanding with new subdivisions
Hobbs Road and Ditto Landing have lot to offer

• FBI program warns of inside threats, too
More cyber crime, securing secrets remain challenges

• From cotton fields to 'fields of homes'
Meridianville, Hazel Green areas see building boom

• From one newcomer to another You'll find that surprises are pleasant and frequent in Rocket City
This is for all the families that must pick up from Northern Virginia and head south to Huntsville: Relax, Alabama's not what you think.

• Future looking bright for Five Points area
New Lee High, shopping complex to bring residents

• Green Mountain is 'discovered'
"It's been discovered." That's Chuck Gibb's take on the flurry of homebuilding on Green Mountain, which was relatively sporadic until now.

• Happy in Huntsville (except for the sirens)
After D.C., city is a "culture shock" but in a good way

• Home rule law 'step in the right direction'
But many are frustrated by the law's limitations

• Homes with a water view lure newcomers
Realtors expect BRAC to deliver plenty of buyers

• Honors and Awards


• Hospitality business making mark in area
Madison County will have 6,600 rooms by winter

• HudsonAlpha associate firms
Resident associates

• HudsonAlpha is focusing on the future
'Science does inspire dreams,' according to President Jim Hudson

• HudsonAlpha's celebration makes DNA Day special
Event honors discovery, and also the work of the Human Genome Project

• HudsonAlpha's scientific advisory board world-class
HudsonAlpha Director Richard M. Myers works with and is supported by six uniquely skilled and internationally known investigators and business professionals who provide objective feedback and guidance in scientific matters.

• Huntsville 'just right' for a golf cart shop
Ben Dupont likes living and doing business here

• Institute starts center for public health, food safety
Huntsville-based effort will link with scientists from around the world

• International Baccalaureate seals the deal
Martins find what they were looking for in Decatur

• It's another boom like the one I grew up in
I'm a rocket boomer, the offspring to one of the thousands of engineers who flocked here in the late 1950s under the Von Braun movement.

• Jackson County is seeing growth surge
BRAC, Bellefonte spur an increase in home building

• Lacrosse, new parks result of transfers
City is ideal to host a regional tournament

• Land-preservation efforts gaining speed
30,000 newresidents meanmore expansion

• Less stressful drive equals more free time
Transplants from Maryland happy with their decision

• Life changes bring couple to the valley
Vails now trying to persuade others to make the move

• 'Lot of good, flat land bodes well' for area
Lower building costs help boost development

• Madison striving to meet needs of BRAC
Recent annexation adds 2,000 acres to booming area

• Medical community is preparing for influx
Hot lines, programs created to helpnewcomers to area

• Moving easy choice for Southern couple
Pair left behind 2-hour commutes, now closer to work

• Natural beauty fills areas east and south
Hampton Cove mostly built out; Big Cove is next

• Newcomer relishes area's sporting life
Ben Dampier finds plenty of outdoor activities in region

• News briefs
Albertville man dies after traffic accident

• Northeast section is coming full circle
Thriving in 1800s, area sees another growth spurt

• Northwest leaders optimistic on growth
'Perception' of schools is slowing development

• Planners in Decatur excited about future
Shift being made from upper scale to smaller homes

• Police, fire ranks getting jump on growth
Hiring can be guessing game but public safety officials hope to meet future needs

• 'Positioned in great location' for growth
Strong says more planning needed to meet demands

• Redstone readying to implement BRAC
Construction on four new buildings to get under way

• Redstone's officers enjoying new homes
Huntsville really supports our work, retired general says

• Salesman likes what he sees here so far
Austin Britt raves about friendliness, beauty of the area

• Satellite offices arebusting at the seams
Larger spaces are needed for tax, licensing divisions

• Saving green space key to young couple
The Smiths hope growth doesn't overtake parks

• Small businesses are happy over transfers
Opportunities from BRAC are plentiful, some say

• Small-town feel big lure for newcomers
Richard Schwarz hopes area realizes effect of BRAC

• Strong local economy supports home sales
City 'will continue to be a primary market leader'

• Sweet tea, slower pace suit family fine
Edwardses happy to call Huntsville their new home

• Tennessee River to be main water source
Utilities looking ahead to meet growing needs

• 'The List City' works to get the word out
Huntsville takes full advantage of national rankings

• Timing of art museum expansion is 'great'
Several galleries,auditorium, stagewill be added

• To newcomers, cityfolk 'genuinely nice'
Huntsville is 'what normal should be'

• UAH, A&M gearing up for BRAC transfers
Universities plan to fine-tune their curricula

• With growth comes more restaurants
But experts say market is not yet saturated

• 'World-class, top-tier research'
Building 'preeminent' genomics institute is goal of Director Myers

[Southlander]

Hope this doesn't get wide distribution...we don't want to turn into another North Carolina!

[Reactionary]

Charles, thanks for posting the links.

I'm wading through the 80+ pages, so far it's fairly good, but some of it is not much more than boosterism, and some of it is fantasy (live in HSV without a car?). Too bad the linked articles don't show the associated charts from the print edition (for example, the "Police, fire ranks getting jump on growth" article in the paper has crime stats by precinct - not available in the link - South 50K calls, North 56K calls, West 68K calls).

[Keeper]

I put a copy of Charles's post in the 'newcomer sticky'.. If you find any other info that might be helpful, please put it in there too.

[clamoore]

Reactionary, I think 45K of those calls to the West Precinct occurred during the one-hour incident referred to as the WDRM Affair. During that one hour timespan, Dan and Dingo mistakenly gave the precinct number out as the Kenny Chesney Carribean Getaway Hotline.

The number of calls returned to normal when the HPD forced the local DJs to announce a correction.

In a related story, a local Morgan County woman, aged 57, won the Getaway and reported seeing Kenny Chesney photographs at her Guadaloupe Ramada Inn.

[luvhawaiiboys]

Any information would be SO helpful!! Thinking about relocating to Huntsville area so I can be closer to my Father who is getting up there in age. I Lived in Mississippi most of my life , so I am use to the south but now I am in California where my husband has lived for 29 yrs. My husband can transfer to Huntsville with his job so I was just wondering what are the safe neighborhoods and cities in that area and what are the bad neighborhoods.

Thank you so much!!

[Keeper]

Zennjenn is one of our Cali transplant. I am sure she could answer some of your questions as to how it is different living here than in CA.

[zenjenn]

If you lived in Mississippi most of your life, and lived in California, then I think you will find Huntsville to be the best of both worlds. Depending on where your husband lives exactly, he should be comfortable too. If he's used to hanging on the coast as a surfer dude or living in San Francisco, then it might be an adjustment, but for most down-to-earth people it's no big deal. I've met a few Californians now who are at least content, if not quite happy with the move.

The links Charles provided as well as a search on this forum will yield a lot of information about the nature of various neighborhoods, with Jones Valley, southeast Huntsville, and Madison are the most popular for young families.

[luvhawaiiboys]

Thank you all so much!!
Sorry I replied so late.
I have another question if we moved there we were thinking of renting at first, do you have any suggestions on that situation. I know here allot of people rent apartments and they are really nice but everywhere is so different. Whats it like there?

Thanks Guys!!