Choosing to move from Illinois to Huntsville or Detroit (Auburn: fit in, house)

[wls2624]

Hello,

We are supposed to transfer to Detroit in a year but have an option of going to Huntsville. When I asked people where I live now what they think, one who used to live in Huntsville, told me it was backwards and if you aren't a native forget about ever fitting in, everyone seems to tell me to go to Detroit. However, my mother and grandparents were born and raised in Alabama. My mother later moved to Illinois. I visited my grandparents in a small town in Southern Alabam a couple times a year as a child. I loved it. I thought the people were wonderful. Maybe because I was raised by people from Alabama I felt I fit right in. But now that people are telling me don't go to Huntsville, I'm feeling a little nervous. I've looked at homes in the area and have found so many I like compared to the Detroit area. I just wanted to get some people's opinion that know more about the area than just the people from where I live now.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

[knightofeffect]

I think this topic is a good microcosm of the attitude associated with non-natives (if there really is such a thing).

Huntsvillians/Alabamians feelings on newcomers

[HsvMike]

I moved here from the Chicago suburbs and it has been great. From what I hear about Detroit, it seems like a very easy choice. You will not have a problem fitting in, I have met a good amount of people from Illinois and all over the country for that matter.

The best thing to do is come down here and find out for yourself. I am sure you will be happily surprised.

[Southlander]

Wow, what a dilemma! Where are you now? I lived in Georgia for a few years, and my friends there were always putting Alabama down. But when jobs in my profession stagnated and I had a chance to come home for more money, they wanted to know who was hiring!

You might ask the person who used to live in Huntsville how long ago that was, and how long they lived here.
No matter what they say, YOU are the one who has to live wherever you pick. Sounds like you have spent some time in Huntsville, so you have an idea of the advantages and disadvantages of living here. You might find it helpful to make a list of each and compare one city to another. That might make it more clear.

No city is perfect for everybody.

Much good luck to you, wherever you land!

[VMH2507]

If given a choice between Huntsville and Detroit, I would choose Huntsville in a NY minute. However, I have never been to Detroit, so maybe I am basing my judgement on stereotype, as is possibly the case with the people where you now live with respect to Huntsville. I moved to Huntsville 10 years ago from Houston and have found the people to be much friendlier and more open to newcomers than in Houston where I lived for close to 30 years. I moved here by myself with only a couple of acquaintances in this area. I now have a large group of friends who I socialize with frequently. I have also noted a marked difference in the friendliness of people in stores etc where people regularly strike up conversations with strangers and offer to help with heavy packages etc.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by wls2624

We are supposed to transfer to Detroit in a year but have an option of going to Huntsville.

What line of work are you in? Which city provides a better opportunity for "Plan B" jobs?

Who is "we"?

How old are you?

Married? Kids? Ages?

Rent or buy? budget or price range?

Where in Detroit is the job? (I don't know Detroit but if it is in a nice area with lots of amenities that you want then that is something to consider.)

What is you gut feeling on Huntsville weather vs Detriot weather? Do you strongly prefer one over the other?

Huntsville is the right place for some people but not for everyone. Detroit might be better for certain people. That's why I wrote the questions above.

[HB2HSV]

Come on down, yankee

[PierceS]

I moved here from Milwaukee, WI in the end of June and have never noticed any problems fitting in. If anything, I've noticed the opposite of what you were told. Everyone here seems to be much nicer and friendlier it's been a great change. I have many friends here now, and not too mention the weather is much better here than in the north. About the only thing I've recieved any sort of animosity about is whether I'm an Alabama or an Auburn fan but thats about it.

[wls2624]

What line of work are you in? Which city provides a better opportunity for "Plan B" jobs? My husband is an Engineer at the Rock Island Arsenal so it would be at the Arsenal in that area.

Who is "we"? My husband and two children.

How old are you? My husband and I are in our mid forties. I have been a stay at home mom for 15 years and may continue to do so or work part-time.

Married? Kids? Ages? My oldest is in high school and my youngest is in grade school so a good school and family area is a high priority. However, the neighborhood we live in now, the majority of people are ten years younger than we are and I would rather live where people are mainly in their forties - fifties.

Rent or buy? budget or price range? Buying in the price range of 300,000 - 425,000. However I do not want live in a pretentious, snobby area. That's what we live in now and I am very unhappy because of it. I like nice things and places but I don't like to be pretentious about it or around people like that.

Where in Detroit is the job? (I don't know Detroit but if it is in a nice area with lots of amenities that you want then that is something to consider.)
It would be in Warren but we are looking at suburbs closer to Ann Arbor. I do like the shopping and restaurants that a big city provides.

What is your gut feeling on Huntsville weather vs Detriot weather? Do you strongly prefer one over the other? I lived in Phoenix for 5 years so I like warm weather but not humidity. I would like the mild winters in Alabama but probably not the summers. I think I would like the mild summers in Michigan -- thus the reason for my indecision.

[HB2HSV]

Don't know about Detroit, but sounds like you folks will fit in Huntsville just fine.

One out of every 11 people here is an engineer, so less pretentious or snobbish people here.

School is important to you, look into Madison City Schools.

In your price range, you can get a very nice large house here (average price at $100/sq. ft).

Sounds like Redstone arsenal fits in with your hubby's job, so that offers some stability & longevity.

Humidity? Yes. But that's why God invented AC. Besides, you don't have to deal with 6 feet tall snow!!