Our Visit to Huntsville - Questions (Valley, Guntersville: real estate, houses, schools)

[4luvofk9s]

Hi All,
My husband and I toured Huntsville this weekend and really like what we saw. Our two favorite communities were Hampton Cove and Edgewater. I liked Edgewater for all the beautiful trees and rolling hills - although not many homes on the market in our price range ($250,000 to $330,000). Hampton Cove is very nice, but the homes that we looked at were in areas where trees are not abundant (maybe the homes in our price range were in newer sections?). There was a subdivision that was a possibility which was still considered Hampton Cove but on the other side of the main Hampton Cove area (golf course side). Unfortunately this community had all trees scalped.
Since it was a fairly cool weekend, not many people were outside. Now for the questions:
Neither my husband or I have children, only furry ones (we're in our late 40's/early 50's). We are very sociable, love to meet new people. My husband loves golf thus the interest in Hampton Cove. I'm assuming since both these communities Hampton Cove and Edgewater are so huge that they both will have a real mix of all types of people i.e. empty nesters, young families, retirees etc? or would you say that these communities are considered young family communities? Are there any other communities we might have missed similar to these where they have not scalped all the trees, or where you could buy a lot and build a house? We do like having neighborhood associations. My husband would love to live in a golf course community, but the only ones I see are Hampton Cove and The Ledges (too pricey).
Thanks for any input.

Your input would be appreciated.

[Twostep]

Fast growing trees such as crepe myrtle can be planted without much effort and almost immediate rewards.

Communities like that are likely to have an owners association. If they have no web site - contact the builder.

[Keeper]

You might want to check out Cherokee Ridge or Twin Lakes near Arab, AL. Cherokee Ridge has homes in your price range and trees. Twin Lakes is another golf course in this area. Cherokee Ridge is off of hwy 231 and course is private. Twin Lakes is public

[4luvofk9s]

Thanks so much Keeper for the info on Cherokee Club - it looks perfect!
Pat

[lukedaddy]

Any websites for those places mentioned?

[nalabama]

The original golf course community in SE Huntsville was built around what is now called Valley Hill Country Club, just off Bailey Cove Road on Willowbrook Drive. Houses on the golf course would start around $200K and probably top out around $350K. I have no idea what initiation fees and dues are these days, but would offer that as perhaps a more reasonably priced alternative to Hampton Cove and The Ledges. Excellent schools also, so property values should stay up. Unfortunately, I belive all the neighborhood associations in the area are now history, although most people there tend to maintain their homes and yards nicely.

[Decaturbabe]

Few trees in that area because it was mostly cotton fields 15 years ago.

[nalabama]

The area aound Valley Hill CC was developed about 40 years ago. The golf course was built in 1964.

[dbkeel1]

Edgewater is nice but the lake belongs to the ski club, not the residents. Might be fun to watch but not worth anything extra in price.

Hampton Cove is so close to many parts of Huntsville and the course is public. It's easy to access and when you are an Alabama resident you can buy a trail card to really save on green fees/carts at all 9 RTJ courses in the state. There are other local courses around, too (I can think of 4 off the top of my head).

Moderator cut: removed advertising

Welcome to Huntsville!

[Keeper]

Here is the website for Cherokee Ridge. <edit>
Twin Lakes is public but there are houses around it.
There is also a golf course in Guntersville..
<edit>

You wil find real estate listings on both. Cherokee Ridge would be closer to H'ville if you are concerned about driving distance.

Hope this helps