Which area to look at? (Huntsville, Decatur: sales, chapel, construction loan)

[LucyBell09]

Madison Schools are fine, but there is only one high school for the city, as it has grown much to fast for the schools to keep up. Bob Jones doesn't have the best of reputations. I don't know much about the elementary or middle schools if your kids are younger, though. The commute from Hampton Cove would be horrible. My dad lives in Jones Valley (the other side of the mountain from Hampton Cove) and from there to Athens is easily an hour, with traffic maybe two. I would second the notion of East Limestone. I have only heard good things about their schools. My first option in your situation would be in the Sparkman High School district. It is the Western most school in the Madison County School District. I went to Hazel Green High (it's in the same district) and my sister teaches at Sparkman now. That area is growing a good bit, but it is still a quiet place with just enough to do close by, and an easy drive to Huntsville or Madison for more. There are a lot of new homes out there with a good bit of land. I would really recommend you do NOT look at Hazel Green (it's further away anyway, but I know from experience, the schools suck). Athens would probably be nice, too. Their schools are also very good, with a lot of rural areas and large lots, but a good sized city, too.

Best of Luck!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LucyBell09

Bob Jones doesn't have the best of reputations.

Why is that?

[BobWallace]

Originally Posted by LucyBell09

My dad lives in Jones Valley (the other side of the mountain from Hampton Cove) and from there to Athens is easily an hour, with traffic maybe two.

If it takes you 2 hours from Jones Valley to Athens then you must be on a moped.

[LucyBell09]

The way my dad drives, he might as well be on a moped... But with rush hour Huntsville traffic, Madison traffic, and then Athens traffic, it could get rough no matter what.

As for Bob Jones, I don't know anything specific. I went to high school at Hazel Green. I went to football games at BJHS (the name seems to be where some of the trouble comes from) and all the students seemed to be.. well, not very nice. I know the school is incredibly over-crowded. Overcrowding leads to huge classes, frustrated teachers, and behavioral issues because the administration isn't set up to deal with so many students. My two sisters and my mom all work at schools in the area, and I never hear good things from them either. I know quite a few kids who had behavioral issues at my high school and moved to Bob Jones.

I'm not saying a person couldn't have a positive experience with this school, just that I've never heard good things. I think Sparkman is much better through personal experience, plus the area is much better to live in.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by carolhoch

In my opinion, the best realtor in North AL is Pete Anderson at 931-422-4070. Check out his website and listings at www.GeneralRealEstateServices.com If you don't see what you want on the website, don't be discouraged. Just give him a call and see what he can do for you. Tell him Carol Hoch sent you!
Best of luck!
Happy in Tennessee

Pete should open his own City-Data account so he can spam five threads.

[MSB256]

LOL @Charles. I noticed the same thing!

[Elizabeth_G]

Bob Jones High School has a stellar reputation...why anyone would say otherwise is news to me. My daughter attends Bob Jones and we are thrilled with the school. They continually rank very high nationally...currently ranking in the top 1500 public schools in the US by Newsweek Magazine. Number one in the country for their arts program. There sports programs are ranked very high as well. Here is a link to see some recent awards: Awards & Recognitions

Madison is building a 2nd high school to keep up with the large influx of people moving to our fine city

[whittneyh]

I think we are going to concentrate on Madison and possibly East Limestone areas. I'm planning on a trip this week to see several of the schools, and hopefully we'll have time to see some of the neighborhoods as well! I appreciate the help you all have given. Anyone have any specific neighborhoods I should see? What are the areas of Madison to avoid? I did notice last time we were there that there are apartments around, and I don't want to live around that. Also, did not realize that our realtor had to be cartus-certified. Does anyone have any experience with that? We had one appointed to us (we'll see how that works).

Also, does anyone have any fun ideas for us to do as a family as soon as school is out? I would love to do something in Huntsville so the kids will be excited about the move!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by whittneyh

Also, does anyone have any fun ideas for us to do as a family as soon as school is out? I would love to do something in Huntsville so the kids will be excited about the move!

I highly recommend Space Day Camp. It isn't nearly as expensive as Space Camp but I think the kids get a lot of the same experiences. Plus there is bus service. There are several flavors so a week this summer, a different camp next summer, etc.

There are lots of swim teams in the Huntsville and Madison areas. Recommend checking those out.

YMCAs also have camps that aren't that expensive.

[Elizabeth_G]

What price range are you interested in? Let us know so we can all chime in with our varying opinions, lol.

Cartus certified just means that the chosen Realtor is willing to pay their referral fees at closing. Nothing more, truly. I've had several this year dump their appointed Realtors for one reason or another and I was approved by Cartus and Serva...any Realtor with a breath of life in them can get certified, for the most part. They did ask how long I had been in business but that was it!

The most important thing when choosing your agent is trust...if you don't feel comfortable with the appointed agent, you can choose your own...they just don't tell you that up front. You also want an agent that has your best interests in mind at ALL times. Remember, Alabama is a Buyer beware state...HOA docs are very important upfront...make sure you read them and understand what they mean. (if that's possible, lol).

As for activities, I know Bob Jones is having a few camps this summer...sports and dance related. How old are you kids?