Huntsville Info Please

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I'd really appreciate any information on working in Huntsville. I'm an RN in California and my husband is considering a move to Redstone orificenal Army Base. All I know is that it's not too far on Google Maps to Nashville, which is where we lived for 4 years. So any info on the hospitals, the area, the schools, also transfering my license...I'd love it!!! Thanks!!

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Heya, I can't tell you anything about licensing and working as an RN in Huntsville. I'm still in school..

I can tell you that the cost of living here is way below the national average and way, way below CA. If you move here from CA you would have access to really nice property. There are some beautiful neighborhoods here, all for sale of course. Huntsville schools are great in most parts of the city. I can give you more details if you like. The RN pay here will definitely be less than in CA, but like I said, you won't need as much here to survive.

The city itself is nice. I moved here a year ago from NC. It's very family friendly but somewhat lacking in cultural activities and things like Whole Foods stores and small businesses. Its all pretty corporate here. Lots of Olive Gardens and big malls.

Hope that helps.

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Huntsville hospital is a 870+ bed hospital that is great place to work for, it is a nonprofit teaching hospital. I have worked in one of their many ICU's for 12 years, also Fox Army Hospital has some openings if you want to do the office thing, there is another local hospital but I would not recommend. You will love this area.

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At this time Huntsville Hospital is doing very limited hiring. Matter of fact, employees have been asked to take time off to avoid layoffs. I too would not suggest the other hospital, worked there and left quickly.

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They have just approved a new hospital in the madison alabama area. They are estimating 2-3 years, and the hiring of 400-500 nurses.

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The hospital that is being built in Madison will be owned by Huntsville Hospital. I do not know about that 400-500 nurses for a 60 bed hospital. I do know that at this time Huntsville Hospital has a no OT policy and is not hiring. Maybe in 2-3 years it will be different.

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Well, I've lived here on and off for most of my life, and I agree with twinsmama - there really is not much in the way of culture, trends, and "scenes" that are easier to access in other parts of the country, so be prepared for that. (Some people who like it here disagree, but this is just my own opinion). The nicest areas are in Madison and south Huntsville. That's where most of the engineers and people in related fields (the orificenal, etc.) live. North Huntsville is a very low-income area that is visually unappealing to some people, although it's not quite as bad as it used to be. Once you get outside of Huntsville, you're pretty much in "Deliverance" land, although again, I suppose that's not as bad as it used to be, either. Most of the people who really like it here seem to be those in government/engineering jobs (as they tend to have VERY good job security here) and those with strong Protestant backgrounds (there's a reason why they call it the Bible belt ;) )

The orificenal-types jobs are pretty much the lifeblood of the town. However, they're actually having a hard time replacing a lot of the older engineers and analysts who are gradually retiring right now. So in order to attract more "young professionals", the city is trying to improve its image a bit. They recently built the Bridge Street Mall, which is nice at first, but gets kind of old after awhile. They've been talking about "revitalizing" the downtown area for years now, but I'm still not sure what exactly that's going to entail.

btw, I've lived in Nashville, too, and find it to be much more interesting than here.

Hope this helps!

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Well, I've lived here on and off for most of my life, and I agree with twinsmama - there really is not much in the way of culture, trends, and "scenes" that are easier to access in other parts of the country, so be prepared for that. (Some people who like it here disagree, but this is just my own opinion). The nicest areas are in Madison and south Huntsville. That's where most of the engineers and people in related fields (the orificenal, etc.) live. North Huntsville is a very low-income area that is visually unappealing to some people, although it's not quite as bad as it used to be. Once you get outside of Huntsville, you're pretty much in "Deliverance" land, although again, I suppose that's not as bad as it used to be, either. Most of the people who really like it here seem to be those in government/engineering jobs (as they tend to have VERY good job security here) and those with strong Protestant backgrounds (there's a reason why they call it the Bible belt ;) )

The orificenal-types jobs are pretty much the lifeblood of the town. However, they're actually having a hard time replacing a lot of the older engineers and analysts who are gradually retiring right now. So in order to attract more "young professionals", the city is trying to improve its image a bit. They recently built the Bridge Street Mall, which is nice at first, but gets kind of old after awhile. They've been talking about "revitalizing" the downtown area for years now, but I'm still not sure what exactly that's going to entail.

btw, I've lived in Nashville, too, and find it to be much more interesting than here.

Hope this helps!

Deliverance land? Thank you very much for the insult!

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Deliverance land? Thank you very much for the insult!

Not trying to insult anyone - I'm just giving an honest opinion, which is what the OP was asking for.

I live out here in Meridianville - have for most of my life - and I've been spit on/pushed/threatened by so many good ol Bubba types...I guess the movie just rings true sometimes.

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I live in Toney not very far from your location. I have never been pushed, spat at, and/or threatened by any bubba's or bubbettes. I thought the rural area was coming along nicely with the grocery stores, banks, and restaurants, day cares and need for larger schools in the area because of the many subdivisions being built. I stand corrected and I'll tell my sister who lives off Walker Ln to watch out for these deliverance type people. You forgot to mention that Nasa is also a huge employer in the area and there is Space Camp. :chuckle

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