Apartments vs. Houses (Huntsville, Providence, County Line: apartment complexes, to rent, new home)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

Why aren't they building apartments in Hampton Cove?

Hampton Cove is pretty much built out. Only a few empty lots remain and Cobblestone Cove. The Hampton Cove master plan doesn't have any apartments in it.

There is the Hampton Falls apartment complex near the intersection of Old Big Cove Road and Highway 431. We lived there for several weeks. Lots of (recently divorced and hot) singles hanging at the pool. I felt like a diabetic kid in a candy store.

[SouthernBoy205]

Why aren't they building apartments in that area? I meant!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

Why aren't they building apartments in that area? I meant!

I don't know. Too far from town maybe? Not that it makes a difference to me, but why drive 20 minutes when you can drive seven minutes? A person might be more likely to drive a little farther for a long term residence like a house. If he is renting, then maybe that is a little less of a long term commitment and renting nearby makes more sense.

If a person works in Research Park, Huntisville Hospital, or the Redstone Arsenal, he could grab an apartment in decent areas within ten minutes. Why live in the Big Cove area? A person buying a home might be willing to drive a little farther for a newer home in a neighborhood loaded with kids. Are apartments being built out in Madison near County Line?

[Mawoods]

Yes, there are apartments being built on County Line. The neighbors around there fought them for a long time but are now being built.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Mawoods

Yes, there are apartments being built on County Line. The neighbors around there fought them for a long time but are now being built.

Why did the neighbors fight the building of the apartments?

[Mawoods]

This was a few years ago so I am trying to remember correctly. We moved here in 2004 when all that was going on. Then we moved away in 2006 and when we returned in 2008, the apartments were going up. We lived in the neighborhood Cedar Springs off Mill Rd. . Our house backed up to any developement on County Line. We were never involved because when we came in we thought the issue was settled. Any developement could not take down the trees and a beautiful natural barrier between the neighborhood and the developement on County Line would remain. I think there is still something that says that those woods have to remain for the most part. BUt we noticed that some of the houses down from our old house could see through the trees to the apartments. We always knew there was no way that you could not have developement along County Line. It is commercial and as long as rules were followed such as keeping the trees it was ok. Fortunately, if we still lived there we would not see the apartments out back as the woods are still thick there. Others aren't so lucky down the street.

[mm42]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why did the neighbors fight the building of the apartments?

I believe because apartments are not perceived as good for property values, traffic, and schools.

Traffic because the high density crams a lot of new people and cars in a small area. Schools because they dump a lot of new kids, usually with a high percentage transient, into the schools. And property values because of the first two plus general perceptions.

[milledj]

I think that more apartments or higher density building may also be because of the aging population, who want less yard to take care of, and an easier way to pack up and vacation for extended times.

Of course, that is just a theory.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by milledj

I think that more apartments or higher density building may also be because of the aging population, who want less yard to take care of, and an easier way to pack up and vacation for extended times.

Of course, that is just a theory.

Not a bad theory! One lady from our church has just done that. She's only barely in her 50s but kids are off to college and she's divorced, so she moved into an upscale apartment complex with security gate while she acts as landlords managing her various rental properties.

[dbkeel1]

There are; the Falls on 431. Enfinger built those in 2003.