Northeast Transplants - Thoughts? (Huntsville: house, transfer, to buy)

[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!

[RocketDawg]

Not sure where you are, but the temperatures, even in winter, aren't a lot different than in the DC area, although there's more snow there. The main difference is there are a lot fewer people here than in the gigantic megalopolis. I think I could stand living in DC or even Boston areas, but in between would drive me nuts. I like smaller towns, but those that are big enough to have most amenities, which is what we have here. If you have a pro sports need, you can get your fix in Atlanta or Nashville, both basically a hop, skip, and jump away.

I know several who have transfered here from the mid-Atlantic and St. Louis, and they all love it here. Most of the people here are from somewhere else anyway, except for the youngsters who were born here. Get outside the Huntsville area though and into rural Alabama and there are some differences.

[ASRGUY]

I am in Pa now and weather is much worse than Nova and DC. My issue with Nova is the outrageous COL. I would never be able to buy a real nice house there. I hear DC and Nova are great areas but between traffic and COL I ruled it out.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by ASRGUY

I am in Pa now and weather is much worse than Nova and DC. My issue with Nova is the outrageous COL. I would never be able to buy a real nice house there. I hear DC and Nova are great areas but between traffic and COL I ruled it out.

Housing is about 1/3 here what it is in the DC area. You can get a pretty decent house here on an engineer's salary. And yeah, weather is worse in PA, terrible in the winter once you get inland from Philly very much.

Traffic here isn't all that bad, I guess about what you would expect in a town this size. I can't really think of an extreme negative for living here ... summers are hot and humid, but everybody has AC so it's not an issue. Winters are not all that long but tend to be pretty cool, sometimes cold, but right now my azaleas are in full bloom, dogwoods are blooming, and leaves are popping out. Can't beat that on April 1.

[RocketDawg]

If I was you I'd head this way in a hurry. Don't know if you're talking Army or NASA, but both are a grade or two higher than most places. I'm retired and chose to stay here as most retirees do.

[ASRGUY]

It is definitely on my radar Rocket as far as career choices go. This current winter really did me in.

[pamnbam]

Government contractor transplant from NOVA. Born and raised there. I miss the culture there but the cost of living is so much better here. People have trouble driving appropriately here, but it’s par for the course, I suppose. Weather is not that much different. It’s a good place to raise a family. I like it here.

[EscAlaMike]

I have found that most people who move to Alabama like it a lot and find it very hospitable and welcoming. At least that's what they say to me.

I live in a small town in SW Alabama, and just in a 2 block radius from my house, we have neighbors from Michigan, Maryland, upstate NY, and Massachusetts, that I know of. They all seem to be getting on just fine.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

I have found that most people who move to Alabama like it a lot and find it very hospitable and welcoming. At least that's what they say to me.

I live in a small town in SW Alabama, and just in a 2 block radius from my house, we have neighbors from Michigan, Maryland, upstate NY, and Massachusetts, that I know of. They all seem to be getting on just fine.

Shhhhh!!! Don't encourage migration!

[ASRGUY]

Well good morning here in Pa 4 inches of snow and we are now in April. You begin to ask yourself is It worth it dealing with miserable weather from Nov-Apr. I know my answer lol.