Is Huntsville appealing to college students? Ways to improve? (Tuscaloosa: neighborhoods, schools)

[TCnbham]

Huntsville has 3 Universities and a few 2 year schools. Does Huntsville give college students a life off campus? I graduated from UA in Tuscaloosa last year and although Tuscaloosa does not compare to Huntsville at all the area around the campus provided a lot of different options for students ( bars, coffe shops, clubs, etc). Should Huntsville offer some type of strip for the college students in the city ?

[DvlsAdvc8]

Hey, I'm 32 and even I think Huntsville would be boring for young 20-somethings. lol

Huntsville appears to be a very middle aged, family town. The young single guys in my office all want to move! lol

[A&M Bulldawg]

What can people who want nightclubs and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

[friday13]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

What can people who want nightclubs and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want bingo and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want bars/pubs and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want rollerskate rink and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want 6 flags and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want Disneyland and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

What can people who want whatever their hearts desire and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

some form of entertainment implies there's currently none...which I doubt...it may not be something for everyone (different demographics), but I highly doubt there's nothing.

Whoever owns a business of any kind wants to make money (or at least break even-if they wanted to do charity, would've donated the money without the hassle of running a capitalist venture). If there's no such and such type of business in Hsv yet, it's for a good reason: there's not enough demand for it.

[TCnbham]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

What can people who want nightclubs and entertainment in Huntsville do to make sure that Huntsville can get some form of entertainment?

I guess a starting point would be supporting the night clubs we currently have. There also needs to be a district where its live at night. I mean most clubs in Huntsville are so spread out! There should be an area where you find a diverse blend of entertainment which would create a thriving night life. Maybe a place where people could mix and mingle, dance, eat, have some coffe, or listen to live music, all while walking down one or two streets. just a thought though!!!!!

[gsp4ever]

You could combine the total enrollment of UAH, A & M and Oakwood and not have nearly the enrollment of a major state university (like Univ. of Alabama and/or Auburn). These three schools are relatively small.

Many of the flagship universities have a "strip" or "district" that has developed within walking distance of campus. I'm not seeing an area in the immediate vicinity of either UAH or A & M where something like that could easily be developed and the campuses are too far apart to share. In fact, there are some not-so-nice neighborhoods around both campuses and I doubt that students should be walking at night for safety reasons. I'm sure many people would think the area of University Drive near UAH would be an area to consider, but it's a really bad area.

Finally, UAH tends to have a rather apathetic student body and that's one of the main reasons they have a lack of student life/activities on campus plus rather meager retention rates. They also have a high number of non-traditional aged students (in grad school but also in the undergrad programs) who may be trying to work jobs and/or support families (plus living off campus) so that's not going to lend itself to supporting a lot of bars or other nightlife options in the immediate vicinity of campus. These students are just trying to finish their degrees and move on.

[Southlander]

I wouldn't call most UAH students apathetic. Many are busy working jobs to put them through college, and raising families. As you noted, a LOT of non-traditional and older students. Many are spread out across the city and the region - very few live on or near campus. Same for A&M and the other schools.

[rnc76]

UAH students in my experience are apathetic. It is the least active college community I've ever seen.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by rnc76

UAH students in my experience are apathetic. It is the least active college community I've ever seen.

Cal State Northridge makes UAH look like a Mardi Gras.

[skinem]

I thought UAH was one of the least "college feel" campuses I've ever been on.

However, I've also found that so many young people complain about nothing to do EVERYWHERE.

I used to teach school in downtown San Francisco. There were students there who complained that there was nothing to do! I used to ask them "Just what exactly is it you are wanting to do?" If you could think of something to do, good, bad, sane, insane, normal, weird, it was there.

I think people get bored with the "known"...
Huntsville does have plenty to do--maybe not in the amounts that you would find elsewhere, but to say there's nothing in this town isn't right, either.