[raj kapoor]

Weiss is a beautiful body of water with really nice homes (well kept) and all in a pristine setting.
Its location off I-59 northeast has a lot of potential. Near Mentone. (you might want to look into staying here to look the area over.
It is a fairly equal drive from Weiss to Chattanooga. (a really fun town) To Birmingham, with shopping and dining and other amenities that will fill the need to stay in contact with the world. Over to Guntersville Lake and up to Huntsville for a change of pace. And then the most direct way over to I-75 in Ga. for the only fairly direct way to Atlanta when you desire the stress of what you left behind. (or, catch good flights to places you might want to go when they are not available in Birmingham.

Alternately. After visiting you may find that Logan Martin is just what you need. It is closest to the east , southeast part of Birmingham where you will find much and a direct route into town where the great restaurants are to be found, along with quite a lot to keep you entertained.

Good Luck,
Raj Kapoor

[rawrockills]

I think Smith is the nicest out of the bunch but more rural than some of the others. Depends on what you want to sacrifice I suppose.

[rawrockills]

Personally I like Smith lake the best and consider it the "nicest" lake out of the bunch. However, it is more rural and isolated so to speak. Guess it all depends on what you are willing to sacrifice.

[Keeper]

Parts of Guntersville are close to the city. There are nice restaurants and bars but you would still have to drive to most places. Lake Guntersville is 69K acres with lots of bass fishing. The lake is part of the Tenn. river and the water level seems to be steady. There are natural springs there too.

The bad thing about Smith Lake is that many of the lots and homes are on a steep hills.

The people here are very nice and yes most are conservative church people. So much depends on what you are looking for in a place to live. I have a friend who moved here from LI and they love it.

[LCTMadison]

Guntersville and Weiss would be my top two choices. My dad retired on Weiss, its absolutely beautiful there and not too far from the city, plus and easy drive to ATL for "big city" experiences. Guntersville itself is a nice town and its convenient to HSV. Guntersville is probably going to be the priciest of all the lakes in AL.

Smith is really nice but most parts are extremely remote and rural, and yes....many do have steep inclines down to the water which is not something I would find desirable.

As for the team question...Auburn. Don't sell your soul to the devil.

[chappyfam]

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Wife and I will be traveling out there next year to start looking / eliminating areas to retire in. Can't wait to get out of California and the rat race.

[Southlander]

Just returned from an overnight at Guntersville State Lodge.
What a beautiful setting!
I really wasn't truly aware of how big the lake is. There are lots of bluffs, but many gentle slopes. Also not as crowded as parts of Smith Lake. We have friends whose lake house there involves several flights of stairs down to the water. There are lots with gentle slopes, though, but I think they're a little harder to find.

[good ol'way]

Guntersville!

[lake life]

What did you decide on? We are currently looking at lakes & wanting something with restaurants & entertainment also.

Thanks!

[AnsleyPark]

OP, you might should consider one of the many lakes around the Atlanta area. You'll find a more liberal (Cali) environment and much more nightlife / social life opportunities.