People/Climate in Huntsville (Decatur, Madison: appointed, transplants, real estate)

[GulfCoastGirl]

Hi, all. My husband is being seriously considered for an amazing job opportunity in Decature. I've done my research and we're probably driving up for a visit this weekend, but I'm hoping to get 2 questions answered:

1. What are the people like?

2. How humid are the summers?

3. Is it possible to live very close to the mountains (Monte Sano, primarily) without spending a fortune on real estate?

Before you answer, you should know that my husband and I are not Southern but we've lived in the Deep South for a long, long time. We love the friendliness, the neighborly attitudes, and the laidback nature of the South. We were both military kids so we've lived all over and our families are very diverse. We wanted to move to Asheville, but IT jobs are too scarce and low-paying there. I'm hoping to find a place with attitudes kind of like Asheville--educated and open-minded (although I know it would be hard to top Asheville for open-mindedness!) but retaining Southern charm. I want to live also near people who are socially conscious about things like recycling, land preservation, higher education, etc.

I've lived along the FL panhandle for many years, so humid summers don't bother me at all. I would, however, like to exprience 4 seasons again. Am I correct in thinking the summers aren't as long or humid as here and the winters are colder? Also, just how frequent is snow?

Thanks so much!

[jonw]

I grew up in North Alabama and went to school in Huntsville. I've also lived in Wash state, and Florida.

1. The people in Huntsville are great. Southern charm, but with an education. Huntsville has the highest percentage of Engineers of any city in the US. It's something like 20%. And there's quite a few transplants. People sell their homes and move to Huntsville and buy a huge house and have money left over.
2. The summers are hot, but not like Florida, and not as long. I'm currently in Florida and it's been in the 80s lately. In freakin February. That's ridiculous. One thing you should know, however is that the weather is very unpredictible. It can be 70 one day and then 40 the next. So you'll probably catch cold from the constant ups and downs.
3. Compared to other areas, Huntsville is very cheap. You can live in a very nice home in a nice community for less than you'd spend most elsewhere. I'd do some searching on the internet for exact prices. Try www.valleymls.com. It has all the MLS listings for the area.

[NotFromAroundHere]

I am soooo jealous! I live in Orlando now, but Hunstville is home and I would love to go back. Re: your questions.

1. What are the people like? The best. Very friendly, and you'll find they are welcoming to "outsiders." Also, per capita Huntsville has more PhDs than any other city in the U.S., so you'll find that people are very literate and intelligent. The schools are very good in general (beats Florida hands down!), particularly in South Huntsville and Madison.

2. How humid are the summers? Humid. Not Florida humid, but pretty darn humid.

3. Is it possible to live very close to the mountains (Monte Sano, primarily) without spending a fortune on real estate? Compared to Florida, you betcha! Go to realtor.com and look up houses in the area you are interested in (zip code 35801). You'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Keeper]

I think you will like this area. People are very friendly here. You get a lot of house for the money. There is a state income tax but property taxes are lower than in FL. Gas is cheaper than central FL and utilities are less. Plus you actually have a spring and fall when you really won't need to use the A/C or heat. I am sure you won't be disappointed if you move here.

[2flyabove]

1. What are the people like? Huntsville has a mix of people from all over the world, all over this nation. So you will find charming and friendly people, and rude as well. And don't assume that all rude people here are only from the US... I've met many rude international folks here. But most everyone in this area is nice and friendly.

2. How humid are the summers? Humid. Not as bad as Miami and not as hot. But if you can take the Florida oven then you'll be ok here. We usually don't have the rough heat until June. But it's gonna be hot. Basically, anywhere from Louisiana up thru Arkansas straight over to North Carolina and all other states underneath will have hot, humid, muggy summers. Louisana, S. Carolina, and Florida have the worst of it.

3. Is it possible to live very close to the mountains (Monte Sano, primarily) without spending a fortune on real estate? Yes. There is a posh place here called "The Ledges" but it's mainly for people with overblown egos and want to be seen. It's pricey for this area, but not compared to rest of the nation. It's funny cuz they think it's a mountain, and by definition it is. Monte Sano is ok, but as I've said at other posts is that it doesn't compare to the mountains in the West, or the ones around Asheville, NC. You mentioned Asheville, and I've been there... more beautiful than Huntsville area.

Decatur is not appealing. Drab town with no appeal.

"I want to live also near people who are socially conscious about things like recycling, land preservation, higher education, etc." Uhhhh, not in Alabama. For the most part people in this state throw their trash out their cars window. People here think the term "recycling" is what Armstrong does to win the Tour de France. There is NO LAND preservation here except what is done by the federal government. Socially conscious? Not here... try another state. There is still racism, the high-class demeaning the lower class, and political intolerance towards non-conservatives. From what you described sounds like Oregon or Washington is right up your alley. Perhaps you guys can get the job transferred to Seattle?

[nalabama]

Decatur offers a wide range of housing opportunities at very affordable prices. There are spectacular decaying older homes in its downtown neighborhoods that cry out out for renovation/restoration to their former glory. Decatur's location on the Tennessee River and its proximity to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge (with miles of bottomland trails open to the public) are perhaps its biggest pluses.

Monte Sano offers fixers uppers as well as the occasional million dollar home. Both Huntsville and Madison County offer curbside recycling to all households, although many opt not to participate because these programs are net money losers for both governments. The Huntsville Land Trust is very active and works closely with the Alabama Land Conservancy in identifying and acquiring environmentally sensitive and undeveloped properties. Huntsville supports three local universities, with at least two of these institutions offering various doctoral programs.

So, how is your visit going? Any new questions? Hope you're having a good time...and good luck.

[dbkeel1]

2fly seems to have some issues with the area. Really, things aren't that bleak. Summers are in the 90's, winters are 40s during the day and 20s at night. Snow comes once or twice a winter but usually melts in half a day. Humidity goes up as storm fronts move in, then falls again. It's not like the coast or anywhere in Florida at all.

Nalabama is pretty much on-target and there are homes on local mountains for reasonable prices (relatively). Just figure $110-150/sf for such a home and do the math. Sometimes you'll find a home under that range but it might require some updating. I'm a realtor here and know that market pretty well. Let me know if I can be of help.

Welcome to Huntsville!

[Decaturbabe]

Most of Decatur is flat. There is a neighborhood on Burningtree Mountain ("mountain" - it's probably around 1000 feet altitude). Many of the homes there are around 30 to 40 years old and they are very reasonably priced - low enough that you could remodel and update. Some there are new. Huntsville and Decatur are NOT interchangeable. They are two separate cities. Do come look around and see for yourself. A good time to come would be Memorial Day weekend, when we host the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. Welcome to Decatur!

[Highpointer]

Originally Posted by 2flyabove

"I want to live also near people who are socially conscious about things like recycling, land preservation, higher education, etc." Uhhhh, not in Alabama. For the most part people in this state throw their trash out their cars window. People here think the term "recycling" is what Armstrong does to win the Tour de France. There is NO LAND preservation here except what is done by the federal government. Socially conscious? Not here... try another state. There is still racism, the high-class demeaning the lower class, and political intolerance towards non-conservatives. From what you described sounds like Oregon or Washington is right up your alley. Perhaps you guys can get the job transferred to Seattle?

Originally Posted by jonw

I grew up in North Alabama and went to school in Huntsville. I've also lived in Wash state, and Florida.

1. The people in Huntsville are great. Southern charm, but with an education. Huntsville has the highest percentage of Engineers of any city in the US. It's something like 20%. And there's quite a few transplants. People sell their homes and move to Huntsville and buy a huge house and have money left over.

How could one person state that "Huntsville has the highest percentage of Engineers of any city in the US" - an intellectually demanding career that requires a high level of education, and a profession pursued by people who are generally socially conscious - while another person states that Alabama people are not "socially conscious" and are not "conscious about things like recycling, land preservation, higher education, etc?"

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Highpointer

How could one person state that "Huntsville has the highest percentage of Engineers of any city in the US" - an intellectually demanding career that requires a high level of education, and a profession pursued by people who are generally socially conscious - while another person states that Alabama people are not "socially conscious" and are not "conscious about things like recycling, land preservation, higher education, etc?"

Can you say "missile?" Can you say "armaments?" Those tend not to attract touchy-feelie artistic engineers. "Oh look! I can bomb that enemy tank into a pretty sunflower shape!"

There is a growing art subculture, there is recycling in the city pickups. There is land preservation. You just won't find people making their used free trade coffee grounds into tasteful panniers for bicycles (yet), or protesting at the arsenal gates and expecting to live in the community.