Northeast Transplants - Thoughts? (Huntsville, Madison: neighborhoods, campers, clubhouse)

[denofhc]

I love the weather in Huntsvillle! Four (usually) mild seasons.

I love the size and vibrancy of the Huntsville metro. Traffic okay, housing prices fantastic, education good, social scene adequate.

Having lived on each coast and in the midwest, Huntsville is where I’ve decided to spend the rest of my life.

I’m especially pleased to see the downtown come alive.

[Vacanegro]

Originally Posted by ASRGUY

Any northeast or mid Atlantic transplants md, nj, pa, dc, va etc. Who moved down for a federal job like at Redstone?

How's life treating you in Hville? Big adjustment from the NE? Not only could I probably receive a pay increase at Redstone, buy a nicer home with lower taxes, these northeast winters are intolerable anymore they are long, dreaery and brutal. Up to 4 inches expected tomorrow and it's April!

Everything is a compromise.

Huntsville/Madison is a very nice city by AL standards, really by the whole SE standards. With the COL compared to the NE you could have a nice house + a house on the lake you just have to remember that when you go looking for a bagel on Sunday morning and are surprised to find nothing open.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by ASRGUY

Any northeast or mid Atlantic transplants md, nj, pa, dc, va etc. Who moved down for a federal job like at Redstone?

How's life treating you in Hville? Big adjustment from the NE? Not only could I probably receive a pay increase at Redstone, buy a nicer home with lower taxes, these northeast winters are intolerable anymore they are long, dreaery and brutal. Up to 4 inches expected tomorrow and it's April!

You married? Kids? If so Huntsville is great for you. This is a good place raising kids with good schools and low cost of living. An Engineer’s salary is considered very good income here and can afford higher end homes. A $500-$600K can get you a castle/ estate home. Home prices are so low I could afford a 15 yr loan. Big difference when it comes to paying down principal of loan and build equity.

There are plenty of things to do here even if you’re a single guy. Nashville is only 90 minuets away. Not much theatre/ Broadway shows, better leave that to a quick weekend trip to NYC. Speaking of which, Southwest Airline has “specials” often from Nashville to NE cities (Philly, LaGuardia, Boston, etc).

The down side is lower rate of price appreciation. It’s a 2-edge sword.

Weather is mild with occasional snow but usually melted when the sun comes up.

I lived in NoVa, worked in DC. No more. You can have it.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Vacanegro

Everything is a compromise.

Huntsville/Madison is a very nice city by AL standards, really by the whole SE standards. With the COL compared to the NE you could have a nice house + a house on the lake you just have to remember that when you go looking for a bagel on Sunday morning and are surprised to find nothing open.

Keep in mind, bagel & lox is considered “ethnic food” here. (let the rock throwing begins).

But you will not find more “all U can eat buffets” Chinese food per square miles than Huntsville. This is an engineers’ town after all.

[ASRGUY]

These are great replies appreciate them greatly. In full disclosure, I am not in the Philly or Pittsburgh metro so it's not like Hville metro will be a downgrade from a size and amenities standpoint.

Glad to hear downtown Huntsville is on the upswing as the city I am near is dying a slow death (Scranton-Wbarre, PA). Sure we have lakes and rivers etc but you can enjoy them from late April through Sept and mix in rain and crappy days.

Also from a long term perspective it seems like if grown kids leave the nest and want more hustle and bustle Nashville is relatively close.

Are homes with pools common in Hville? Assuming there you can enjoy a pool May through Sept?

[LCTMadison]

In the spring/summer pool homes fly off the market because everyone has pool fever. Lots of HOA neighborhoods as well with community pools if you are into that sort of thing. With a solar blanket, my dad opens his pool typically in late April and closes it in October. In the middle of summer the pools will be like bath water.

Can't personally compare because aside from living in Europe I've never lived anywhere but the South, but we have people moving here in droves from the east coast so we must be doing something right We are about 6 hours from the most beautiful beaches in the US, 5-6 from the mountains, and have four true seasons and a pretty strong stable economy. Housing market is steady but this year we are seeing activity like we did 2004-2006 when the big Brac move was happening. We may not have huge fluctuations in our housing market in regards to price increases, but we also don't have the huge drop off either like we saw in some states where the value of homes tanked. We saw a drop but we really did weather it better than most.

[Reactionary]

I grew up in Huntsville then moved away for 20 years living in Washington DC (2x) and Boston (and other places), plus traveled for months at a time to Maine, NJ, and NY. I moved back as soon as I could.

As has been noted, this area is a great place to raise a family, plus it is gaining more young people-oriented places. It has lots of child-centered and family-friendly activities. The COL is reasonable - you'll definitely be able to buy a home if you're an Arsenal engineer.

The weather is nice, although occasionally it gets too cold for me. If it snows the roads close and everyone gets a day or two vacation. Just be sure to stock up on milk, bread, and toilet paper. We do get tornadoes and thunderstorms - be as prepared as you can and you will probably be OK (more than likely the worst that may happen is the power goes out).

OP, does 'ASR' mean something work-ish?

[ASRGUY]

ASR no significance just an abbreviation for a nickname. I would imagine a cold day in Huntsville cannot touch a Boston or Pa winter!

I am not against Nova by any means but the outrageous COL and traffic just is a huge turnoff and from a fed employee standpoint Redstone-Hville seems to have lots of positives.

[Reactionary]

Well, I was thinking maybe 'airborne surveillance radar' or something.

Yeah, I knew it was time to leave Boston when the (TMI alert) mucus in my nose froze.

[ASRGUY]

You might have us beat with a Boston winter but ours are brutal as well. Cabin fever I mean you leave for work and it's dark gloomy and frigid and the same on the way home. I guess if winter sports and things interest you it's fine. I prefer sitting in a pool and sunlight.