Alabama Here We Come...HURRAY! (Birmingham, Montgomery: transplants, crimes, how much)

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by marysally

Moderator cut: personal-off topic Contrary to your statement about the AL economy being rock bottom, AL's unemployment rate is lower than the national average and Huntsville's is the lowest in the state. In fact it has been noted that anyone who wants a job in the N AL region should have no problem getting one. These are also good paying jobs - engineering related etc. Just look at the data and you will see that the median income in the area is the highest in the SE -- much higher than Atlanta's. You also erroneously said that the coastal area is more receptive to newcomers. I can only counter than the Huntsville area population is made up in large part by newcomers from all over the US as well as other countries. My best friends are from MO, CA, Nev., TN, Indiana, Germany, and the Netherlands. Many Huntsville residents move here as military retirees after being stationed at the arsenal and falling in love with the area.

Thanks for posting this! I was under the impression that AL 's economy is doing great, as well!

Also, I found the people in AL are much more friendly than a lot of
coastal areas that we visited. I am from the central coast of CA, Monterey Bay area, and everyone there is friendly as far as I'm concerned, but then again....that was HOME!

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by nalabama

A Tennessee commute shouldn't be too bad, given I-65's proximity to Decatur. Still, you're talking at least 35 miles I think.The primary advantage of living in Tennessee is usually the fact that Tennessee has no income tax on earned income, but I think you'll be required to pay Alabama income tax anyway if you work in Decatur. A commute from the near side of any local city should be a snap, given Decatur's location on I-65 and its other excellent feeder routes. But you should be able to find something you'll like right there in Decatur--its historic areas represent real bargains in my opinion, taxes are lower than in Hsv & Madison, traffic isn't as big a hassle, and there is plentiful acreage available close in. Another big plus for Decatur in my opinion is the easy access to the Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake. Shopping at one of the largest malls in North Alabama is only about thirty minutes away at Madison Square in Huntsville. Decatur is such a nice town in so many ways, it is a shame that its depressed areas are so visible and therefore detract from its curb appeal.

Hi Nala....Thanks for the info on TN living. It's not the commute that
bothers us...Hubby had a horrible commute in CA....62 miles one way, and did that for over 18 years.....here in FL he has a 35 mile commute which is very do-able since we live in a semi rural area right off I-95 and the traffic isn't heavy along this section.

Mostly we wondered about having an acre or two and did give some thought to the TN idea because we were thinking we might be able to find that there sans chicken farms!

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

We drove around Decatur on the 4th. The generic new america area is along the southwest. Look on a map and you'll see a road that looks like part of a perimeter highway. All your standard newer stores and businesses are there. Don't be afraid of the area because you happened to drive through an older area.

Thanks Harry.....Will do.....have a map of the area and as soon as I get off this computer I'm going to check it out! It wasn't the fact that the area we drove thru just looked old....it just seemed like...
well...maybe it was a high crime area or something. Sorry if I offend..not my intention.

[ginosgal]

Originally Posted by MsMuir

Thanks Harry.....Will do.....have a map of the area and as soon as I get off this computer I'm going to check it out! It wasn't the fact that the area we drove thru just looked old....it just seemed like...
well...maybe it was a high crime area or something. Sorry if I offend..not my intention.

My husband and I bought a Craftsman bungalow in one of the historic neighborhoods in Decatur in May, and we love it here ! Hubby commutes to Huntsville, and its not bad at all. The cost of our house is soooo low we can hardly believe it ! I have found through the years that Im happy to live somewhere that doesnt have the latest and greatest, or a Starbucks....and I just hate suburban sprawl. I urge you to give the two historic neighborhoods a close look. They are called New Albany and Old Decatur. You can see them online, the area boasts beautiful old architecture, old churches, parks, quiet, tree lined wide streets with sidewalks, and the neighbors are sooo friendly. Most of the old homes have front porches, a throw back to an older era, when neighbors actually knew each other....Good Luck !

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by ginosgal

My husband and I bought a Craftsman bungalow in one of the historic neighborhoods in Decatur in May, and we love it here ! Hubby commutes to Huntsville, and its not bad at all. The cost of our house is soooo low we can hardly believe it ! I have found through the years that Im happy to live somewhere that doesnt have the latest and greatest, or a Starbucks....and I just hate suburban sprawl. I urge you to give the two historic neighborhoods a close look. They are called New Albany and Old Decatur. You can see them online, the area boasts beautiful old architecture, old churches, parks, quiet, tree lined wide streets with sidewalks, and the neighbors are sooo friendly. Most of the old homes have front porches, a throw back to an older era, when neighbors actually knew each other....Good Luck !

WOW! A REAL Craftsman bungalow...what a find! Didn't think there were any around anymore! Would love to see it!

I loved the sound of those neighborhoods...reminds me of my youth!
We're not opposed to older homes...fact is, I'm not into the brand new deals that seem to be springing up everywhere. it was just the initial impression of Decatur, was....well...kinda like everyone had
just abandoned the place. I'm not even sure what road we were on
while we were there, but I just wanted to get away from it!

We live in a great older home here in FL...about 18 years old, and it's
just beautiful....it was built really well, as most of the houses were
in days gone by....wish I could shrink wrap it and bring it along!

Now, I can't wait to get to Decatur and have a REAL look around....
it sounds much better than Madison!

Thanks so much for taking the time...all of you...for all this exciting info!

[MsMuir]

Oops...forgot to mention...I would like a Starbucks tho'...but of course I'm from CA, so what can you expect

[Keeper]

My bad.. I was going to reply to this post and another.. Got them mixed up..

Sorry

[harry chickpea]

The Starbucks is in Athens, about 15 or 20 minutes north... about the time it takes to drive two blocks in CA.

[MsMuir]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

The Starbucks is in Athens, about 15 or 20 minutes north... about the time it takes to drive two blocks in CA.

Thanks harry! And you got it right about how long it takes to drive
a couple of blocks in CA!

[MsMuir]

On another note.....can anyone tell me if there is self storage in the Decatur area? We'll be staying in temp housing for a month, but need to bring extra things until we're able to buy a house.