Huntsville area life? (Decatur, Madison, Athens: transplants, how much, big house)

[Campn87]

I can’t think you all enough for taking the time to explain all of this! I’ve been reading the forums as much as I can in the past few days, I feel like I’m definitely getting a better picture. I’m really excited about experiencing all 4 seasons again, although Chicago springs didn’t really exist! Good thing I kept all my warm clothing!

I also looked a bit on Zillow, Madison and Decatur, which is better and why? Also, is there new development, or the neighborhoods are established? Any builders we should consider?

Out of curiosity, does it feel like living in the south in Huntsville? Cause I keep reading that everyone there is a transplant, so I wonder if that southern charm exist there too?

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Campn87

I can’t think you all enough for taking the time to explain all of this! I’ve been reading the forums as much as I can in the past few days, I feel like I’m definitely getting a better picture. I’m really excited about experiencing all 4 seasons again, although Chicago springs didn’t really exist! Good thing I kept all my warm clothing!

I also looked a bit on Zillow, Madison and Decatur, which is better and why? Also, is there new development, or the neighborhoods are established? Any builders we should consider?

Out of curiosity, does it feel like living in the south in Huntsville? Cause I keep reading that everyone there is a transplant, so I wonder if that southern charm exist there too?

Madison is sorta of "the" place to live now. Decatur is more industrial, while Huntsville/Madison is more high-tech. Or course, a lot of people live in Decatur and commute here for work, but they still have more of a blue-collar feel. Madison has some established neighborhoods, Huntsville more, but there are new housing developments all over. I don't know about builders since I haven't looked at a house in years. I'm sure there are good and bad, as there is everywhere. One thing you might notice about the area ... there's not much of an urban element ... it's mostly suburban sprawl. Downtown Huntsville is trying to change, and it's happening, although slowly. Madison doesn't really have a downtown to speak of.

Huntsville doesn't feel like a Southern city, and certainly not Deep South. Actually, you won't find many Southern accents here except from some of the old originals. The school kids all have non-regional, mid-Western speech patterns.

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

That's stretching it a bit. Yes, temps will occasionally reach 95 degrees, and even sometimes 100 (it's been a while), and humidity is sometimes 80%. But more importantly, the high humidity isn't the same time as the highest temperatures. If it was, we'd be in the tropics. Higher humidity is late night and early morning.

A more typical summer day would be 90 degrees with humidity around 60%, and lows at night upper 60s-lower 70s, and humidity sometimes over 90% at the lowest temp of the day.

A better way of looking at things is the dewpoint temperature. It's seldom above 75 but that's pretty uncomfortable. A more normal dewpoint is upper 60s, lower 70s during the summer.

Huntsville, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Dallas average 72 degree dew points in the summer. Florida, New Orleans, and Houston average 76-78 degree dew points.

Most jungles average 80 degree dew points or higher (Although I did see the dew point exceed 80 degrees along with temps in the upper nineties multiple times in New Orleans).

[Campn87]

Originally Posted by MrJester

Huntsville, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Dallas average 72 degree dew points in the summer. Florida, New Orleans, and Houston average 76-78 degree dew points.

Most jungles average 80 degree dew points or higher (Although I did see the dew point exceed 80 degrees along with temps in the upper nineties multiple times in New Orleans).

Awesome! Thank you for sharing this tidbit! It nicely resonated!

Speaking of jungles, what kind of bugs, and wild life do you get?

Mosquitos, cockroaches, fire ants and millipedes are my nightmare right now. Possums and armadillos are occasionally seen in my backyard. Also black snakes are plenty, but they’re pretty much harmless.

Alligators and the occasional black bear also can be seen once every 2 years or so, but I don’t mind those cause they don’t harm you unless you startle them.

[TomC23]

Originally Posted by Campn87

Awesome! Thank you for sharing this tidbit! It nicely resonated!

Speaking of jungles, what kind of bugs, and wild life do you get?

Mosquitos, cockroaches, fire ants and millipedes are my nightmare right now. Possums and armadillos are occasionally seen in my backyard. Also black snakes are plenty, but they’re pretty much harmless.

Alligators and the occasional black bear also can be seen once every 2 years or so, but I don’t mind those cause they don’t harm you unless you startle them.

I believe that Huntsville is north of the "Gnat Line"". Which, anybody who lives south of the Gnat Line can tell you, is pretty much Heaven.

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by Campn87

Awesome! Thank you for sharing this tidbit! It nicely resonated!

Speaking of jungles, what kind of bugs, and wild life do you get?

Mosquitos, cockroaches, fire ants and millipedes are my nightmare right now. Possums and armadillos are occasionally seen in my backyard. Also black snakes are plenty, but they’re pretty much harmless.

Alligators and the occasional black bear also can be seen once every 2 years or so, but I don’t mind those cause they don’t harm you unless you startle them.

Disclaimer: I have never lived in Huntsville. I got the dew points off 30-year average weather data, which should be more accurate than anecdotal evidence, anyways.

[FCEddie]

Moved here in 2008.

Honestly it took a while for Huntsville to grow on me, but it has.

People are awesome. So freaking friendly, they may invite you to church, and I love the looks I get when I say "I'm a Happy Catholic", but they are great people.

Food: BBQ kills.

Other food is growing, and as a NOLA boy, the Po Boy factory is great. I miss having more great food options, but after 6 years in Connecticut, where pizza is king, (I miss it greatly), there are places to eat.

Madison is the hot spot, new stuff popping up over the next few years. Towne Madison, Clift Farms, and more.

Toyota/Mazda and a bunch more coming.

Hope you're not on the Most Wanted list, because the FBI is here.

Cost of living - fantastic.

Publix for all.

The weather - 4 seasons, it's going to get cold. We may get snow. Summers are hot, not NOLA hot or Florida hot, but hot.

Allergies - this is the biggest negative for me. Damn the allergies are bad here. Living in a valley will do that for you.

Come on up. The place is great.

[Campn87]

Originally Posted by FCEddie

Moved here in 2008.

Honestly it took a while for Huntsville to grow on me, but it has.

People are awesome. So freaking friendly, they may invite you to church, and I love the looks I get when I say "I'm a Happy Catholic", but they are great people.

Food: BBQ kills.

Other food is growing, and as a NOLA boy, the Po Boy factory is great. I miss having more great food options, but after 6 years in Connecticut, where pizza is king, (I miss it greatly), there are places to eat.

Madison is the hot spot, new stuff popping up over the next few years. Towne Madison, Clift Farms, and more.

Toyota/Mazda and a bunch more coming.

Hope you're not on the Most Wanted list, because the FBI is here.

Cost of living - fantastic.

Publix for all.

The weather - 4 seasons, it's going to get cold. We may get snow. Summers are hot, not NOLA hot or Florida hot, but hot.

Allergies - this is the biggest negative for me. Damn the allergies are bad here. Living in a valley will do that for you.

Come on up. The place is great.

I honestly hope you’re a writer cause if not, what a waste!

Thank you everyone! I think so far Madison seems the best place for us to be. I do wonder how big is it? Since everyone seem to live there, is it very crowded? Is all the shopping in one area, so the traffic is always busy in some areas?

[FCEddie]

Originally Posted by Campn87

I honestly hope you’re a writer cause if not, what a waste!

Thank you everyone! I think so far Madison seems the best place for us to be. I do wonder how big is it? Since everyone seem to live there, is it very crowded? Is all the shopping in one area, so the traffic is always busy in some areas?

Thank you. A few people have told me I need to pursue the writing gig. Not sure how to go about it, but i'll see what i can do.

I'll offer an alternative - Limestone County. East Limestone HS is pretty good from what I've heard from the people around here. It isn't Bob Jones or James Clemens, but it is pretty good. Athens is going to be booming as well, going to be fun watching this place grow.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Campn87

I honestly hope you’re a writer cause if not, what a waste!

Thank you everyone! I think so far Madison seems the best place for us to be. I do wonder how big is it? Since everyone seem to live there, is it very crowded? Is all the shopping in one area, so the traffic is always busy in some areas?

At the 2017 estimate by the Census Bureau, Madison had about 48,500 people. It's most likely above 50,000 now and growing steadily. It doesn't really have a downtown, and retail is pretty well restricted to strip malls and big box stores. In other words, it's a typical suburban town. Not having as much retail means we're a bit short on sales taxes, so the infrastructure is a bit hard to keep up with. Madison has one of the best public school systems in the state. There is very little crime, but the police are well-versed in handing out speeding tickets. Most people who move here love it ... it's very family-friendly.