Moving (real life) to Huntsville, AL

[Blackadar]

Ok guys, I've accepted an offer from a company and am moving to Huntsville, AL. Seems like a pretty cool city - Forbes ranked it #8 in the places to live/work list in 2004.

Anyone live there?

Can you suggest restaurants, apartments, etc.? Where do I NOT want to live?

Where are the good hiking trails?

Any info is helpful!

[HornedFrog Purple]

Go to an Auburn vs Alabama college football game if you get a chance. Nothing quite like it.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Where do I NOT want to live?

Huntsville, Alabama

[Franklinnoble]

Give yourself a proper regional nickname, like "Bubba," "Cooter," or "Pork Chop" and you'll do just fine.

[albionmoonlight]

I have an old college friend who lives in Huntsville. She loves it to death. This does not help you at all with your specific questions (with which I cannot help you because I have never been there), but I thought that you would at least be encouraged by the report.

Small to mid-size cites in the Southeastern US rock!

[VPI97]

My brother worked there for a few years...he liked it.

That is all.

[MJ4H]

Congratulations on the job.

[Blackadar]

Chubbs, Franklin:

I sincerely hope you guys are wrong about it being a very redneck area. I only got a chance to visit once and while I didn't see a tremendous amount of the city, it seemed (surprisingly so) upscale. Southern, without a doubt, but it seemed to be less of a backwater than I had assumed as well.

There seemed to be a big push to be inclusive and "modern Southern" in Huntsvile. Of course, there seems to be a great deal of military and foreign influence in Huntsville - from contractors to the initial German rocket scientists - that probably help to add a bit of diversity.

[Franklinnoble]

I was just twistin' your titties about the redneck thing... I don't think I've ever even been to Alabama.

[Chubby]

Hopefully not, where my grandparents moved to for a little while in Georgia was a little "hee-haw" so who knows.

[dacman]

If your willing to drive a little -- poke around Hartselle, AL. Nice little town, IMHO.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Chubbs, Franklin:

I sincerely hope you guys are wrong about it being a very redneck area.

FWIW, I believe you'll find it to be one of the more diverse and, dare I say, almost urbane, cities of its size in the South or anywhere else. Because of the military influence, and a pretty good healthcare industry as well, there's a higher than average income & education level in Huntsville.

As I said, it's more diverse than outsiders might expect, with mid-level white-collar couples & younger middle class families making up over 1/3 of the population. There's also a fair-sized component (approx 25%) of the area comprised of young executives & high-income execs, particularly in the exurbs.

The avg HHI is $61,705, the median HHI is $47,119, mostly due to the fact that more than 60% of the area residents are employed as either mangerial or sales/office jobs.

Similar sized areas & how they compare:

Champaign/Springfield
Median HHI $42,468, Avg HHI $56,805, 67% work mgmt/sales/office

Madison, WI
Median = $55,637, Avg = $69,890, 68 % in mgmt/sales/office

Spokane, WA
Median = $43,008, Avg = $55,915, 60% in mgmt/sales/office

Cedar Rapids/Waterloo/Dubuque
Median = $52,897, Avg = $65,707, 63% in mgmt/sales/office

Point being, Huntsville isn't particularly different than any number of similar sized cities around the country ... except in Huntsville, they don't have funny accents

Note: Facts/figures based on Arbitron's geographic definitions which may or may not be identical to other definitions such as MSA's

[Maple Leafs]

I actually spent a few summers there as a kid. Nice place.

There was a restaurant chain called "Wings" there back in the 90s. If it's still around, go, and have the wings and ribs combo. Still one of the best meals I've ever had.

[Buccaneer]

The reason is that Huntsville is home to a big NASA HQ (I think it's NASA) as well as some veteran high tech firms.

[Bubba Wheels]

Huntsville, home to Space Camp and of course the place that they manufacture the rockets for NASA. Seems to be a growing area, tucked almost into the corner in Alabama next to Georgia and Tennessee, influenced by all three.

Folks down there want to be from Georgia, as being from Alabama seems to be a stigma. This is regardless of where they actually do live. Sean Hannity began his radio program in Huntsville, and it is here that he apparently began his affection for country music. Think he went to Atlanta afterwards.

There is a big Honda Plant being built or just built, some other Honda facility and a group of auto suppliers that give Huntsville its economic base. So its got some 'fixins' to work with, not just rockets and backwater farm country. Been down there a couple of times, stayed pretty much to the main road/interstate. But keep hearing it mentioned alot, probably because of the above economic activity. Good Luck.

[Karlifornia]

My girlfriend's sister lives there, but it would be unfair of me to judge a city based on one redneck. Her baby daddy couldn't even tell me his own address or phone number, citing that he "don't ever ewwwwse it"

[Bubba Wheels]

Originally Posted by RadioFriendlyUnitShifter

My girlfriend's sister lives there, but it would be unfair of me to judge a city based on one redneck. Her baby daddy couldn't even tell me his own address or phone number, citing that he "don't ever ewwwwse it"

I'd be careful about throwing around the term 'redneck' without cause. Just because someone may not have a college education (most minorities in this country don't, what would you call them?) and they live in the south (accents make you stupid? Then don't even consider John Kerry, (many folks from Boston don't use the letter R).

For the record, I live in Metro Detroit, take my screen name from Bubba Wyche, qb of the defunct Detroit Wheels from the WFL, so feel free to keep calling me whatever you like. Trust me, I don't lose sleep over it.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

I'd be careful about throwing around the term 'redneck' without cause. Just because someone may not have a college education (most minorities in this country don't, what would you call them?) and they live in the south (accents make you stupid? Then don't even consider John Kerry, (many folks from Boston don't use the letter R).

For the record, I live in Metro Detroit, take my screen name from Bubba Wyche, qb of the defunct Detroit Wheels from the WFL, so feel free to keep calling me whatever you like. Trust me, I don't lose sleep over it.

I would assume from reading his post that he knows the guy so I don't see why he couldn't label him a redneck.

Redneck is not solely based on education and a minority can't be a redneck just like a white person can't be the N-word.

Seems someone is a little defensive about the term redneck to me.

[GrantDawg]

My name is taken from the city of Grant, Al. that is beautiful town about 30 minutes from Huntsville on top of Gunters mountain. The best bass fishing lake in the country is Lake Guntersville at the bottom of that mountain, and again about a 30 minute drive from Huntville. Huntsville is by far one of the best areas I've ever lived. You are going to love it.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Can you suggest restaurants, apartments, etc.? Where do I NOT want to live?

Where are the good hiking trails?

Any info is helpful!

Where do you Not want to live is subjective. There are some bad spots, but you'll be able to tell that pretty easily. I'd suggest you buy, because the housing market is MUCH better there than most of the country. For the price I paid for my small house here, I could be living in a huge house in Huntsville (esp. if you get out of town, which I would suggest you do unless you just really like living in the heart of a city).

There are many great hiking trails. There are several large state parks surrounding Huntsville (Wheeler being one of the biggest). Also, take a trip to Cathedral Caverns if you get a chance. They just reopened it a couple of years ago and are still expanding the park there.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

Folks down there want to be from Georgia, as being from Alabama seems to be a stigma. This is regardless of where they actually do live.

? Didn't see any of that when I lived there.

[Bubba Wheels]

Originally Posted by Chubby

I would assume from reading his post that he knows the guy so I don't see why he couldn't label him a redneck.

Redneck is not solely based on education and a minority can't be a redneck just like a white person can't be the N-word.

Seems someone is a little defensive about the term redneck to me.

Just don't like the usual double-standards that seem so comfortable to those like yourself. Its been said that the only acceptable group left to discriminate against in this country are Christians. I would add southerners to that group (because so many of them are Bible-believers?)

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

Just don't like the usual double-standards that seem so comfortable to those like yourself. Its been said that the only acceptable group left to discriminate against in this country are Christians. I would add southerners to that group (because so many of them are Bible-believers?)

"Those like myself"? Which is who exactly? Way to threadjack.

Yea, it's beacuse so many southerners are Bible believers Leave this thread.

[GrantDawg]

BTW, Madison (medium size town west of Huntsville) is considered one of the better (and pricer) areas to live. The area just on the other side of Monte Sano mountain (really just a pretty good size hill) is nice and rapidly growing. Depending on how far you want to drive, I would also suggest Grant. It has one of only two DAR schools in the country. It is a public school, but it has many of the benefits of a private school (except sadly no football).

[Bubba Wheels]

Originally Posted by Chubby

"Those like myself"? Which is who exactly? Way to threadjack.

Yea, it's beacuse so many southerners are Bible believers Leave this thread.

Chubby, you really are quite emotional, aren't you?

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

Chubby, you really are quite emotional, aren't you?

There's some threads that are ok to threadjack and some that aren't. This is one of the one's that isn't. Let people give Blackie some advice without you rambling on about the term redneck and the bible.

[Bubba Wheels]

The term 'redneck' conjures up the usual images of the banjo player and the hillbillies in Deliverance. Its a term that has some relevance, but too many have since used it to label ALL southerners living in rural areas. Its a bad rap, bigoted, and no different than using the 'N' word in many cases. You don't see it this way, that's your right. But then don't go and start insinuating that I or anyone else is 'too defensive' about what I perceive to be a double standard.

And when it comes to telling me what I can and cannot do, you can go and stick that one up your own Big Dig.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

The term 'redneck' conjures up the usual images of the banjo player and the hillbillies in Deliverance. Its a term that has some relevance, but too many have since used it to label ALL southerners living in rural areas. Its a bad rap, bigoted, and no different than using the 'N' word in many cases. You don't see it this way, that's your right. But then don't go and start insinuating that I or anyone else is 'too defensive' about what I perceive to be a double standard.

And when it comes to telling me what I can and cannot do, you can go and stick that one up your own Big Dig.

He used it to refer to ONE person that he KNOWS. How the hell is it a double standard? There is a big difference between using "redneck" and the N-word. If you don't see that, you must be a redneck. Or Jeff Foxworthy.

Funny, you seem to think you can tell RadioFriendlyUnitShifter what do to.

You obviously have no clue about net-iquette. Let people give Blackie info about where he's moving to instead of getting on your soapbox at every chance. Since no mods ever step in on this board when needed I see the need to do so and will.

Drop it. Start another thread, I don't care. Just stop it in this one.

[Bubba Wheels]

My apologies to Blackadar. But you talking about net-iquette is really too funny.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

I'd be careful about throwing around the term 'redneck' without cause. Just because someone may not have a college education (most minorities in this country don't, what would you call them?) and they live in the south (accents make you stupid? Then don't even consider John Kerry, (many folks from Boston don't use the letter R).

For the record, I live in Metro Detroit, take my screen name from Bubba Wyche, qb of the defunct Detroit Wheels from the WFL, so feel free to keep calling me whatever you like. Trust me, I don't lose sleep over it.

Wowza! I didn't know you were that guy!

Sorry, but if you are 30 years old, don't know your address, have kids with multiple women, and speak with that drawl, I'm calling you a redneck.

[Bubba Wheels]

Originally Posted by RadioFriendlyUnitShifter

Wowza! I didn't know you were that guy!

Sorry, but if you are 30 years old, don't know your address, have kids with multiple women, and speak with that drawl, I'm calling you a redneck.

Then again, maybe you just borrowed some money from him, and are taking alittle too long to pay it back, and his constant reminders are getting on your nerves.

Kidding!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Chubby

Seems someone is a little defensive about the term redneck to
me.

Seems someone is a little free & easy about defending the use of the term redneck. And B.W. has as much right to object to it as you have to defend it.

Since no mods ever step in on this board when needed I see the need to do so and will.

Kinda like me "stepping in when needed" to suggest you should have minded your own fucking business.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Bubba Wheels

My apologies to Blackadar. But you talking about net-iquette is really too funny.

Truer words were never spoken on this forum.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Seems someone is a little free & easy about defending the use of the term redneck. And B.W. has as much right to object to it as you have to defend it.



Kinda like me "stepping in when needed" to suggest you should have minded your own fucking business.

I'm defending one person using it in regards to one person he knew then getting blasted for it.

But hey, way to go with the personal attacks in a thread in which someone is trying to get info on place they are moving to.

[ntndeacon]

I don't live in Huntsville. I do know they have a couple of minorleague teams. A double A franchise associated with the Brewers named the Stars. They also have an Arena football team (in the 2nd division). As someone else mentioned, Huntsville has a large governmental presence due to NASA and I believe an army base is there too.(Redstone Arsenal). Alabama is a wonderful state in which to live. It does get a bit crazed during Saturdays in the fall. Good luck in your job!

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by ntndeacon

I don't live in Huntsville. I do know they have a couple of minorleague teams. A double A franchise associated with the Brewers named the Stars.

When I was down there it was the A's. Great ballpark, too. Saw Michael Jordan play for the Barons down there.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by ntndeacon

I don't live in Huntsville. I do know they have a couple of minorleague teams. A double A franchise associated with the Brewers named the Stars. They also have an Arena football team (in the 2nd division). As someone else mentioned, Huntsville has a large governmental presence due to NASA and I believe an army base is there too.(Redstone Arsenal). Alabama is a wonderful state in which to live. It does get a bit crazed during Saturdays in the fall. Good luck in your job!

They also have a NBA developmental league team, and for some unkown reason UA-Huntsville has one of the better college hockey teams (or at least used to untill moving up to Div-1).

[Blackadar]

Update:

I actually signed the offer today. It was touch-and-go over the weekend due to another last-minute offer, but the combo of a helluva relocation package by this company coupled with my earlier acceptance of the offer verbally won the day.

So I'm off to Atlanta until Wednesday for some training. Then to Huntsville (by way of FL to get the family) Thrursday and Friday. Then back to FL to start packing.

[Blackadar]

Ok, it gets more interesting...

One of the reasons I went with the Huntsville job was because they offered to move me. The Charlotte job wanted me to spend the money.

So...I go to Atlanta for a manager's meeting on Tuesday. Monday night, the Charlotte company throws a modest relocation package my way. Nothing big, but I told them I'd consider it.

The manager's meeting was a mess. They Huntsville company didn't seem to have anything really under control - provisioning issues, organizational differences among offices, no comprehensive training or message, etc. In telecom, usually 9-10 managers would manage 50-80 reps. Between the 9 or 10 of the managers for this company, there were only 18 reps. This isn't working. Between what I saw and the financials of the company, I became VERY uneasy and left at the end of the day with major concerns.

Spoke to my friend at the Charlotte company and after some deliberation, took that job. Called the Huntsville company back and essentially, "I'm sorry, but thanks but no thanks". Talk about pissed off...WOW!

So I went to Charlotte for the rest of this week, spoke with my old/new boss/friend and I'm starting August 4th and looking forward to it.

[Franklinnoble]

Good move.

Tell Gerald Wallace I said hi...

[Blackadar]

Redirect to this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/f...933#post525933

More explanation over there!

*close thread*

[Franklinnoble]

Don't delete the thread...

PEOPLE COULD LOSE POSTS!!!!

[jcclark02]

Howdy Neighbor!