Huntsville ----- thoughts on the city and surrounding area

In my opinion, it's the nicest area of the state. The economy is based on the defense and space industries, with many people working on redstone arsenal. There's a growing entertainment scene, and some decent eateries (my favorites are breweries). Housing is booming (wife works in mortgage). Good schools in madison city and Madison county. Lots of outdoor stuff being in the foothills of the appalachians, and on the TN river.

Crime is low. Traffic, while not atlanta, can suck. Madison is one of the more desirable areas to live, but it was a farming community that exploded into the suburbs for a fast growing city. The road infrastructure hasn't caught up, and probably never will. But, it's just bad by Alabama standards. It's not big city level bad.

We just moved from Huntsville/Madison to the shoals area, but I still work in huntsville.

It's no Montgomery. LOL

Seriously, outside of Fairhope or Mountain Brook, it's probably the best place to live in the state.

I lived in Atlanta for 13 years. The worsening congestion was a big reason I left (in 1997).

It's a great area. It's a small mid size city that is growing fast but still kind of has small town vibes. Only time traffic could be an issue is rush hour morning and afternoon around big interchanges. If she has no kids schools don't really matter, but HSV city schools in the south part of town are better than the north with the exception to New Century which is North.

As a YOUNG professional who is trying to build a steady stream of income, there's no need to move out to the suburbs or expensive areas including Madison unless renting. The city has decent living areas including ne, se, sw and w. I say she should check out areas in West Huntsville/Madison/Providence(a bit expensive) right off US 72W. Downtown/Twickenham/Medical District if she can afford it.
US 72E/565 just past downtown has some nice rentals and properties in the area. And is really like a small cozy section on the East side
South Huntsville has various sections of affordable places Whitesburg, Jones Valley, Lilly Flag, Airport Road.

North Huntsville gets murky and most of the crime is more centralized there. Still some decent areas but they are usually homes that are for families and are pricy. Like Blake Bottom area. However there are some rentals and apartments in that area.

Huntsville is going through a big economic growth with no stopping in sight. Jobs are coming in from all over people are coming in from all over. I wont be surprised to see a lot of those North Huntsville old homes sell, demolished and rebuilt for 130K starting. There is already some development happening there in some areas as more people move to the city as new business and revitalization plans are in works along North Parkway and surrounding North Huntsville areas.

It sits right in the heart of Dixie Alley but that’s no reason not to consider it.

Like everyone else said, you have to try really hard to find reasons not to like that part of the state.

I live in providence (30 yr old) and it’s a great area for young people. Can walk to bars/restaurants etc the Arsenal is 10 min up the road, research park is right there etc. it’s a good area for young people. Other than that Huntsville is mostly a family town, which isn’t a bad thing. Crime is low but it can get a bit boring at times. It’s growing like crazy though and some bad areas are being gentrified and cleaned up, so there is a lot of potential for the future. Even though it can get a bit boring as a single man I enjoy living here and there’s plenty of jobs for my field

ETA if you like the outdoors there are plenty of good spots around the area for hiking, biking etc

I was really bummed out about the trash pandas. There was a lot of hype around them and the stadium is nice as hell like you said

Great area to live. City is constantly growing and with Madison being a few minutes away, there are great places to live. I’ve lived in Huntsville and Madison and Madison is wonderful, great schools and very very low crime rates.

With NASA being so big in Huntsville, the city is attracting many people to the area.

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Daughter is finishing dental school May 2021 and is looking at an opportunity in Huntsville.

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I won't sugar-coat it quite as much as the Huntsville natives have. The area has grown fast and outpaced it's infrastructure. There aren't enough controlled access roads for the amount of traffic.

That being said, it's a great area. Probably the best small metro in the south. It's fast growing, real estate is appreciating rapidly, there's good quality of life, and a nice variety of living options, from urban, to suburban, to rural, close to pretty much anywhere her practice might be. Nashville, Birmingham, and Chattanooga are all short drives for variety for dinner, activities, etc., if you just want something different.

My SIL is from the area. He and my daughter will probably be going there when they finish residency.

I lived in South Huntsville from 2007 until 2018, and moved to Madison. I love it in Madison. I also loved it in South Huntsville, but the area I was in was going downhill.

If she's young & single, I'm thinking she'd probably prefer somewhere like Providence, Town of Madison (this is the community next to the new baseball stadium that is being built similar to Providence) or downtown. There is more to do in those areas, and everything is within walking distance.

If she's married or engaged, I'd recommend Madison, Jones Valley, Hampton Cove, and maybe even Athens if she wants to find the next boom area (like Madison) that's a little further out.