I give up.... (Huntsville, Madison: 2009, apartment complex, renting)

[hey teach]

While Butler does have a "stellar reputation", you could do worse, you could have to goto J.O. Johnson!

[clamoore]

According to the Clamoore Report, Bob Jones has the highest rating for Moms driving White Volvo Wagons. It also ranks highest for Dads with the first name Thurston.

[wls2624]

Originally Posted by clamoore

According to the Clamoore Report, Bob Jones has the highest rating for Moms driving White Volvo Wagons. It also ranks highest for Dads with the first name Thurston.

Hmmm, sounds a bit ostentatious and pretentious for me. I like nice things, don't get me wrong, but I don't have to be all showy about it. We all came into this world the same way and we are all leaving the same with, with absolutely nothing!

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by wls2624

Hmmm, sounds a bit ostentatious and pretentious for me. I like nice things, don't get me wrong, but I don't have to be all showy about it. We all came into this world the same way and we are all leaving the same with, with absolutely nothing!

Not me, I will be leaving with as much toys as I can acquire.

[Charles]

I plan on spending every time I have. In fact, my check to the undertaker will bounce.

[wls2624]

Originally Posted by Charles

I plan on spending every time I have. In fact, my check to the undertaker will bounce.

And people wonder why the banks are in trouble and the responsible people who live within their means are the ones picking up the slack for the ones who spend out of their means.

[gsp4ever]

Originally Posted by wls2624

Hmmm, sounds a bit ostentatious and pretentious for me. I like nice things, don't get me wrong, but I don't have to be all showy about it. We all came into this world the same way and we are all leaving the same with, with absolutely nothing!

If you listen to the handful of regular posters on this forum, you'd get the impression that you MUST live in the absolute best house in the best neighborhood in the best school zone or you are somehow a failure. Well, there are lots of people in this area (the VAST majority of whom DO NOT post on this forum) who live all over in all types of situations. There are literally thousands of school kids in this area and they go to so many different schools and very many turn out quite well--probably the majority. Other kids are losers.

If you don't like showy and pretentious then you probably won't mind skipping out on living in Madison, Hampton Cove and some of the downtown areas. For those same reaasons, you will probably be happier if you don't live in the school zones for Bob Jones, Grissom or Huntsville HS. Though different atmospheres exist at each school an element of competition and snobbery (whether academic or social) exists at all three. Other schools are more laid back. Columbia HS is a new high school (maybe 3 years old) and I'm thinking that they may have not even graduated their first class yet. They have a new IB program. A lot of kids go there and a lot of people are buying and selling homes in that school district every day.

I don't think you'll have any problems living at the Residence Inn. It's across from Target and borders the Research Park. I have no hesitation about going there alone at night (I'm female)

[33458]

WLS...it'll be OK. Promise.

We stayed at the Residence Inn during our first month here, also contracted by our relocation company...the staff was quite nice. Had someone smoking nearby, was coming in our room through the A/C vent and concentrating in the master bedroom and bath, but they took care of that immediately...seems they knew who it was. ;)

Don't hurry finding a house or lot. I know, I KNOW, it's very uncomfortable not knowing where you will wind up, but you need the time to scout the areas. (Yes, I wanted to move right in to my perfect home, too...did not happen that way.)

Breathe.

Oh - the hotel will let you store a limited amount right there in the building, under lock & key, labeled and secure, depending on what's already in there...so important things you don't want left in some orange shed out there in the unknown can be close at hand.


P.S. Charles, jesting...most of the time. Although after seeing 'snow' pictures of his neighborhood and the size of the houses, he might not be kidding this time. ;)

[guxu]

Originally Posted by deesonic

Truth is, you could throw a dart at a map of the metro Huntsville area and there's 95% chance it will hit a pretty nice area.

Exactly! When we moved to here 12 years ago, we lived in apartment for one month. Then we broke the lease (yes we did) and bought the first house we looked. It just happened to be in Madison (not so crowded at that time), and yeah it's in BJHS school zone.

[Elizabeth_G]

Check out www.greatschools.net. Many find it very useful. I live in Madison, my daughter goes to Bob Jones and I don't drive a white volvo...hubby isn't named Thurston either, lol. I don't find Madison to be pretentious at all. I think there is a good mix. I've sold all price ranges to a wide range of family types.

I think I"d choose schools and go from there. Best of luck! You'll be fine