Is Huntsville wecoming enough for us? (Birmingham, Auburn: fit in, transplants, homes)

[oakford4]

We, as a family of four (two elementary school-aged children), are strongly considering to relocate to a more welcoming (a relative term) place than Auburn, AL, our current home. Originally from the Midwest, my wife (in particular) and I have struggled adapting to life in Alabama. Having spent 15+ years in Florida, we found that State to be far more diverse due primarily to large numbers of people originally being from different regions of the country (southerners, northeasterners, midwesterners, etc.). As a result, everyone just fit right in, and easily!

Having spent some of my college years in the Deep South, I learned quickly that southern hospitality is both real and also high overrated (at times). Without spending too much time on this, I find the South (southerners in particular) to be among the friendliest people I've ever come to know, but also a region with a disproportionately large percentage of people who are exclusionary (ie, "you're not from here are you"?). Really, without trying to offend, I can say from my eyes/experiences that not having a southern accent has hurt me more than I care to admit. And religion. While we have our faith (pretty mainstream), the regional differences are monumental. We are accustomed to religion being a deeply personal and private matter, in general. The openness to which discussion of religion is prevalent is highly uncomfortable to us. I'm not saying it's wrong, just different. I will leave this as simply strong differences in regional cultures.

With that said, can anyone advise of places that are a bit more open and truly diverse but still within the southern region? I need to stay in the southeastern US (Carolinas and Tennessee southward) for career reasons. Huntsville has always appealed to me because it seems more like a northern town that happens to be in the South than most any other place my travels have taken me. But don't get me wrong, there is so much I love about the south (weather that I like (4 seasons), southern traditions, southern history, etc.). I would just like to find a mid-sized (or larger) city that has it all and where we can fit in without trying....great schools, plenty of diverse culture, good restaurants, and close access to natural resources. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of Huntsville and/or recommend other places we might seek?

Sorry for the blundt comments but there was no other way to explain our experiences.

Thanks.

[oakford4]

I failed to mention that I have a home-office, so I could potentially live anywhere in the southeastern U.S. We would prefer not highly-populated places like Atlanta, and prefer having the ability to access and tap into a mid-sized city from a smaller, surrounding community. As examples of places that have initially appealed to us are Franklin, TN, Boone, NC, Raleigh/Durham, NC, and Fairhope, AL.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by oakford4

We, as a family of four (two elementary school-aged children),

I would just like to find a mid-sized (or larger) city that has it all and where we can fit in without trying....great schools, plenty of diverse culture, good restaurants, and close access to natural resources.

You'll find all these in Huntsville except the diverse culture. You'll also find job opportunities should you ever want or need to go back to work outside the home.

My personal hunch is that if you don't feel comfortable in your current surroundings it isn't because of the LAT/LONG; it might be the neighborhood.

Do you live in a neighborhood with similar demographics?
Are there a lot of kids for your kids to play with?
Are you in the same income tax bracket as most of your neighbors?

I am not from the south (Los Angeles) and because I live in a neighborhood loaded with families like us (many of which are from Huntsville and Birmingham and the south) we fit in great. It is to the other families' benefit to interact with us because our kids play together, go to the same schools, play in the same sports leagues, and participate in the same school clubs. We are slightly older (48, 40) than most of the other parents in our neighborhood. Also, my wife and are open minded and progressive so we aren't into religion - it doesn't make too much difference other the lack of kids on Sunday mornings.

The other thing, it is going to be hard to objectively respond to your questions. How do you measure how welcoming a neighborhood or community is? All I can write is that we are having no problems despite our slight differences from our neighbors. Heck, everyone is different somehow.

So, let's read the responses to my questions above. If yes to all, then we can think about Plan B.

[oakford4]

Wow, you hit one out of the ballpark. We are going through some differences in our small (12 homes in total) little subdivision. Sunday is considered "family day" by two of my son's best friends parents. And they are neighbors. I kind of joke about this. Does this mean, then, that the other six days are not family days?

Also, our kids, like us, are not particularly soft-spoken (though well-mannered) like some of the other kids. It has surely impacted the ability of our kids to play, and not nearly as often as we are accustomed to.

[Southlander]

Wherever you are, look for a neighborhood with sidewalks. That seems to make a BIG difference in the neighborhood's friendliness. Sidewalks encourage walking, which leads to more encounters with neighbors. I hate the fact that people in our neighborhood tend to drive into their garage, close the door and go inside. You hardly ever see people outside. They have lawncare people cut their grass. I barely know our neighbors to speak to them, and I'm a native of this city.

Considering your parameters, I'm surprised you chose Auburn. Take out the university element, and it's actually a small town.

You might consider a suburb of Birmingham. The city has good and excellent restaurants and a growing culture vibe. It has plenty of transplants as well as natives. And in any city in Alabama, you're never far from "natural" places to hike, swim, camp, etc.

Whatever....good luck to you!

[cpg35223]

I agree with Southlander. Birmingham has more diversity than Huntsville (Which is a nice city, too), so I would offer that the Southern suburbs of the city would have everything you need.

[marmac]

Originally Posted by Charles

You'll find all these in Huntsville except the diverse culture. You'll also find job opportunities should you ever want or need to go back to work outside the home.

My personal hunch is that if you don't feel comfortable in your current surroundings it isn't because of the LAT/LONG; it might be the neighborhood.

Do you live in a neighborhood with similar demographics?
Are there a lot of kids for your kids to play with?
Are you in the same income tax bracket as most of your neighbors?

I am not from the south (Los Angeles) and because I live in a neighborhood loaded with families like us (many of which are from Huntsville and Birmingham and the south) we fit in great. It is to the other families' benefit to interact with us because our kids play together, go to the same schools, play in the same sports leagues, and participate in the same school clubs. We are slightly older (48, 40) than most of the other parents in our neighborhood. Also, my wife and are open minded and progressive so we aren't into religion - it doesn't make too much difference other the lack of kids on Sunday mornings.

The other thing, it is going to be hard to objectively respond to your questions. How do you measure how welcoming a neighborhood or community is? All I can write is that we are having no problems despite our slight differences from our neighbors. Heck, everyone is different somehow.

So, let's read the responses to my questions above. If yes to all, then we can think about Plan B.

" my wife and are open minded and progressive so we aren't into religion "

was that a sly way to take a potshot at people who are into religion ?

[marmac]

Originally Posted by oakford4

Wow, you hit one out of the ballpark. We are going through some differences in our small (12 homes in total) little subdivision. Sunday is considered "family day" by two of my son's best friends parents. And they are neighbors. I kind of joke about this. Does this mean, then, that the other six days are not family days?

Also, our kids, like us, are not particularly soft-spoken (though well-mannered) like some of the other kids. It has surely impacted the ability of our kids to play, and not nearly as often as we are accustomed to.

--"Also, our kids ,like us, are not particulary soft-spoken---"

Perhaps that is the reason you didn't fit in

[DvlsAdvc8]

Originally Posted by marmac

" my wife and are open minded and progressive so we aren't into religion "

was that a sly way to take a potshot at people who are into religion ?

Is it true? How often does religion come up with a new idea?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by DvlsAdvc8

How often does religion come up with a new idea?

It happens all the time.

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