Questions About Moving to Shoals (Birmingham, Huntsville: fit in, renting, low crime)

[isis_pilar]

I am considering moving to the Shoals area. However, I have never been to the area and don't know anyone there. After researching a lot a places, I think that it would be a pleasant change of pace from Long Beach, CA. However, all my research has been online, so it's credibility could be questioned.
I'm hoping to find a decent studio or one bedroom in either Muscle Shoals or Tuscumbia for $450. Is that reasonable for the area? Are there any areas that I should steer clear of and if so, why?
I am a young female on my own, so I need to feel secure wandering around in my own neighborhood.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by isis_pilar

I am considering moving to the Shoals area. However, I have never been to the area and don't know anyone there. After researching a lot a places, I think that it would be a pleasant change of pace from Long Beach, CA. However, all my research has been online, so it's credibility could be questioned.
I'm hoping to find a decent studio or one bedroom in either Muscle Shoals or Tuscumbia for $450. Is that reasonable for the area? Are there any areas that I should steer clear of and if so, why?
I am a young female on my own, so I need to feel secure wandering around in my own neighborhood.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

Why the Shoals? (especially if you have never been there)
Do you have a job there already?
What will you be doing for work?

[sedriskell]

I'm sure that The Shoals would be a HUGE change of pace for you. If you're serious about moving to the Shoals... $450 is more than reasonable and can get you a great place in town. Though, I think you would have better lucky finding some nicer places in Florence. Florence is the larger city of the Quad Cities (Florence, Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals and Sheffield) and has some great nightlife in downtown, it is also relatively safe. The area is beautiful, the river is very serene and the mountains make for some excellent scenery.

If you'd like to know about some more places in The Valley, just ask!

[isis_pilar]

I have looked at a lot of areas and the Shoals was one of my favorites. A lot of community events, which is what I'm looking for. A small town with a sense of community preferably near the water. Clean. Low crime rate.
I do not have a job waiting on me, but haved saved up enough to live off of during my search.
Are there areas in Florence that I should avoid renting in, since it is a little bigger?

[sedriskell]

I honestly don't know much about Florence's bad parts of town, but if you try to get near the CBD, you should be fine. The downtown part of town is relatively safe and has a lot of historic architecture, and would probably fit in your price range.

If you're looking for a place with a lot of community events, is clean, and has a lower crime rate, I would suggest also looking at Decatur. It's surrounded by water almost completely on three sides, it's about 20,000 people larger, and is central in North Alabama. It's a great location, cause you have Huntsville nearby, so you can commute to a job there (in about 20 minutes that is).

If you're looking for a low crime rate, you might be better off looking at Decatur or Huntsville. The Shoals has had a slow growth rate for a few years, and thus, it's crime has gone up a little, not much but a little. Also, the unemployment rate in The Shoals has risen a lot, and is also more affected by the economy than other cities, mainly because it's not located near an interstate.

Another city you might wanna look at is Tuscaloosa. Very river oriented, there is a riverfront park that runs almost the entire length of the city along the Black Warrior River. There are many community events because there is a lot of culture in the town. Northport has a large festival (Kentuck Arts Festival), and of course, because of the University of Alabama's presence in the city, there are a lot of things to do, and A LOT of events in town. Tuscaloosa has about 50,000 more people than the Shoals. The price range is a bit higher, but you definitely get a much cleaner city with a lower crime rate, not to mention that they city is very aesthetically taken care of. Tuscaloosa is also relatively close to Birmingham, so you can always commute there for a job. Ttown also has some good job growth, just as the Huntsville-Decatur area has.

Just some things to think about. The Shoals is a great and beautiful area, I'm just making sure you embrace all of your options :~) If you'd like to hear some about Guntersville, which is absolutely BEAUTIFUL (it's a city that is almost entirely on a peninsula that extends into the Tennessee River) I'd be glad to inform you.

[Keeper]

What type of job? AL pay is much lower than CA. so you need to take that into account if you are going to have to rely on a job. Min wage is the norm for many jobs.

Sidreskell is right there are many places in Al that fit your description.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by isis_pilar

I have looked at a lot of areas and the Shoals was one of my favorites.

What was your process?

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[sedriskell]

Haha, don't let Charles' sarcasm fool you, The Shoals is a very nice area. As Keeper said, Alabama jobs do pay a lot less than Cal, however the cost of living is MUCH MUCH lower, so a dollar goes a lot further over here.