Looking to move to huntsville area (Madison, Cullman: new house, buyer, schools)

[STRATOSMAX]

just would like some input on this area around huntsville . would very much like to move there . like the area and the lakes . my wife and i love to bass fish. we both have been in the automotive field for over 15 years .
gm, ford and dodge parts and serive . wife is parts mng at this time and i am service mgr . would love to be in that area and out of this mississippi delta. is the work there and at the time we would just rent. it is just wife and myself , our daugter is in cherry point nc in marine corp as a admin
would like to be little closer thanks for any help .

[friday13]

Originally Posted by STRATOSMAX

we both have been in the automotive field for over 15 years .
gm, ford and dodge parts and serive . wife is parts mng at this time and i am service mgr

What exactly are you looking for: manufacturing (plant) or dealership?
The Continental plant (former Chrysler former Siemens) is shutting down permanently, moving away and laying off 1000 people in September. The Toyota (trucks I believe) is thriving. Navistar (former International Trucks) is making diesel engines here. This is for established manufacturing.

According to this site, there are also new developments coming to North AL (Cullman, Shoals)
NAIDA - North Alabama Industrial Development Association

[Mawoods]

The Huntsville area is a beautiful area and nice to live in despite what some posters would have you believe. It isn't perfect but has more positives than negatives and is a very nice place to settle down in. If you like to fish it is great with all the lakes and "mountains". If you have a job I believe you could be happy. The people are generally friendly and helpful .

[ionlife]

If one is into fishing and schools are not an issue, there are several lovely areas to buy here. Just be careful about what kind of land usage there is on the maps and remember that all is up for change dependent on the landowner's whims and the county/city response to those requests.

Great commute and lack of congestion were a bonus of coming here. But now that Madison has approved over 300 homes coming into the Balch/Gillespie area, I predict that plus will no longer exist. Most households have 2 cars, more if teens are driving their own vehicles. I hope the city/state/whoever widens Gillespie before the new houses come in-- or that my kid graduates before the subdivisions are built out.

And remember, there are NO forethought or plans in place in any of these areas. Despite the many beautiful areas and positives of living here, the local governments tend to forget to take those positives into consideration when they are approving new plans or plats for subdivisions and commercial rezoning.

And remember, this state is a BUYER BEWARE state. Be careful. Even a ton of homework and research cannot fully prepare you for what can come into play after you have lived here for a few years. Eminent domain has been invoked many times in this state in favor of the developers and landowners.

So even with due diligence, it is hard to predict the future here or anywhere in AL.