[relo854]

Do homes in Northern Alabama have basements or are most on a slab? I LOVE my clothesline. I seem to be one of the few people who still use a clothesline. Do homes in this area use clotheslines. I'm sure just like up here, if you live in certain housing developments certain things are not allowed and clotheslines are one of them...

[harry chickpea]

A lot of older homes are on rocks, with short piers on top of those, leading to the foundation frame. Basements are rare. Clotheslines are somewhat rare, but around. A lot depends on where you live.

[Southlander]

Homes are on slabs AND crawl spaces AND basements and even rocks. Clotheslines...I'm right there with you! I don't have one, but use my deck as a clothesline! Our neighborhood says we can have them as long as they can't be seen from the street. You'd have to check with the neighborhood association, if there is one. Ah yes, I love the smell of sunshine- and air-dried clothes and sheets!

[relo854]

My research seems to show houses with no basement. When I say basement I mean a full cellar, ...not that I'm thinking people are dumb but differant parts of the county call things differant names (i.e. soda vs. pop....grinder vs. hogie vs. ???....projects vs.row houses) We've been looking in the Huntsville and surrounding towns. Are the areas that most houses have basements and areas that mostly are on slabs? Possibly we were looking in the areas where the houses are on slabs. One of the reasons why we figured houses were cheaper was due to the lack of basement and all the construction that goes along with one.

[Southlander]

If you're on higher ground, you might find houses with basements. Generally, the water table is fairly high in the Huntsville-Decatur area, plus our soil tends to be hard-packed clay. Slab construction is found in newer homes. But there are quite a few with crawl spaces.

[Threestep2]

Most of Birmingham sits on a granite plateau. Remember, we are on the last outcropping of the Appachians. You will find basements/daylight basements on steep lots.
My question - why do you need a basement?

[relo854]

I've always had a basement and houses on slabs are very rare in this area.....mostly viewed as an undesirable house. It goes back to what you are used to. Change is good...no basement also means.........less junk!!

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by relo854

I've always had a basement and houses on slabs are very rare in this area.....mostly viewed as an undesirable house. It goes back to what you are used to. Change is good...no basement also means.........less junk!!

Depending on your lot you will have a slab or a crawl space. Personally I consider crawl spaces crawly. Not good for much.

You are right - basements tend to be related to The Great Void. It goes in but never comes out:>)