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Old 04-28-2010, 07:44 AM
 
1,134 posts, read 2,866,363 times
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I suggest renting an apt first, learn the area (6 mos to a year), then decide where you want to be.
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:15 AM
 
268 posts, read 634,181 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BKNOVA View Post
Great thanks for the advice. I will look into it, any zipcodes?
Zip codes won't help - 35801 is a huge zip code encompassing great and terrible neighborhoods.

School zones are better, especially for resale value. Near downtown Huntsville, I would stick with elementary school zones: Blossomwood and Jones Valley. (And Monte Sano, if the mountain appeals to you.)
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:22 AM
 
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Originally Posted by BKNOVA View Post
Great thanks for the advice. I will look into it, any zipcodes?
I'm pretty sure that area is all 35801. That zip encompasses downtown, medical district, Blossomwood, 5 points, Monte Sano and it encompasses some not-so-great areas west of the Parkway and north of Pratt...

I agree with DvlsAdvc8, rent for 6 months to a year, prefereably in the area you "think" you want to live in to get a feel for the area.

Something to consider... there are a bunch of nice apartments and town homes up on Toll Gate at the foot of Monte Sano. If you are interested in 5 points/medical district, those would give you a good location to get a feel for the area. Also, if you like to hike or mountainbike, the Land Trust trails are literally across the street. I think there are dog friendly units up there (did you or someone else mention that???) because I see people up there walking their dogs (big dogs too) all the time around those apartments.

http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartm...rtments/22240/

Last edited by rnc76; 04-28-2010 at 08:48 AM..
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Old 04-28-2010, 08:53 AM
 
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Second RNC. Toll Gate- I had in mind when PMed BK. IF schools are not a consideration (Chapman-Chapman-Lee). Easy access to 565 (5min) takes to CRP/BridgeSt. in 15 min.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:46 AM
 
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Hey All, for renting schools don't matter. I will have to look into this place. Thanks!
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:51 AM
 
Location: Madison, AL
3,297 posts, read 6,262,951 times
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This is a completely new area, and renting is NEVER a bad option if you are not sure. Breaking a lease is a whole lot cheaper usually than having to resale quickly in an area you later determine you are just not happy in.

And, I completely agree with the Medical district. I have had several young singles target that area. The home inspector I often use lives on Vanderbilt, and he would live no where else, and his house is adorable. He just sold another one he owned on Vanderbilt for about $124k, and it was about 1000 sft, in excellent condition. In 5 Points, it will be very hard to find something in the price range you would like to stay in, that did not have to be completely gutted and remodeled.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:53 AM
 
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WOW, every review for Monte Sano terrace apts is bad.
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Old 04-28-2010, 10:56 AM
 
119 posts, read 233,195 times
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I can do some remodeling, My father is in the construction business so sweat equity wont be a huge issue. We could pretty much do everything minus a roof project by project but either way. I do think renting for a while would be good especially given the new time line.
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Old 04-28-2010, 11:08 AM
 
Location: Hsv
16 posts, read 27,121 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 419 View Post
Target has organic chicken??? Is it in the regular refrigerated poultry section?
Oops! I meant all-natural chicken, not organic. Target's all-natural chicken is great, and fresh. Sometimes you know how you get that, I guess you'd call it gamey or steroid taste in other chickens? I never have that problem with Target's all-natural selection.

BKNOVA: As DvlsAdvc8 said, I'd go for renting an apartment for a while before moving into a house if you're setting up permanent residence here. The last thing you want is to end up in the wrong neighborhood for your lifestyle! My friends for example moved to a great neighborhood in Madison, but they didn't realize there were so many kids running around the streets making noise (they don't particularly like children, nor do they want to have any). They only ever saw the house during school hours.

I don't know what your price range would be in buying a house or what length of a commute you're willing to take but I have friends who live out on the other side of Monte Sano near Ryland Pike. The good thing about that is for their drives to work, 72-E goes directly into I-565, so they can get anywhere quickly. The bad part is that (like most places) during rush hour the mountain tends to get backed up.
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Old 04-28-2010, 11:33 AM
 
1,351 posts, read 3,423,536 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BKNOVA View Post
WOW, every review for Monte Sano terrace apts is bad.

Check Fagan Springs next door. It's bare amenities (just pool, coin laundry room), but livable. We paid 1bdr $385-$405 MTM in 2004 but it did the job.
Of course after seeing brand-new 2009 Arch St., that place looked like a dump. But really, we were renting, no kids, out to work 9 hrs a day. Outdoors on the weekend.
They may have been started remodeling in 6 yrs, but that place had a waiting list. So they were in demand.
Bottom line: Very convenient access and natural surroundings. Didn't have granite countertops, or jacuzzi, or stainless apliances, which I would have loved, but not paying $200 extra. The price was just right because of "out-of-dateness" and not because "ghetto cheap" (safety).
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