Where to live in Alabama?

Hi Suga...

I am originally from a little town near Birmingham, AL. I went to college in Tuscaloosa, AL and got my Masters in Montevallo, AL. I moved in 2002 to Huntsville, AL when I got married and decided to return to school for nursing.

Out of all of the places that I have lived, I must say that Huntsville is the best overall. It seems that the crime rate is lower, there seems to be less poverty and it is very clean. The other places that I have lived aren't bad, but Huntsville is ,to me, a great place to raise a family. Even my parents (who missed me terribly when I moved away) say that they like Huntsville so much that they wouldn't want me to move back - they are even thinking about moving here.

Job wise...I am married to an engineer, so his options are huge here. For nurses, there are lots of opportunities also, with 2 hospitals, one is major, having a level I trauma center for adults and a separate one for peds, a comprehensive cancer center, a huge heart center, and a level III NICU. They are also about to build a new hospital, too.

It's not that the other places that I have lived were bad, they were just not as good. For example, Tuscaloosa is really just a college town. FUN at the time, but not where I would want to be forever. Montevallo is po-dunk, one stoplight. Birmingham is probably 2nd on my list - lots of places to work nursing wise...but has some crime issues here lately.

I hope this helps some. If you have any questions, I would love to offer opinions or help in any way!

Amy:)

Where's the best place to live in Alabama?

Hey. I live in Gardendale, AL. Which is a city just north of Birmingham. Very nice place to live and many nursing opportunities since it is so close to Birmingham. Hope this helps.

Well, I did not post the question but this helps me. I am looking to relocate after graduation and I really love the parts of Alabama that I have been to. I currently live in GA. My family and I went to the space center in Huntsville but did not have much time to look around. How are the schools North of Birminham? If they are not so hot, are there affordable private ones around? Can a nurse who is a single parent of two afford a house in a decent neighborhood?

BTW I am interested in working ICU or CCU. thank you!

I've thought about Huntsville. Thanks!

I was just there for a family reunion, and it was my first time in Alabama. It was ok, I don't think I could live there. My fiance wants to apply for a job at the Mercedes Benz plant, but I'm not sure. So is the crime really that bad in Birmingham? I stayed at the Marriott Birmingham while I was there, and I liked that area, and Homewood I believe was another city I drove through, was pretty nice. Are there any other places that might be ok to live besides Huntsville?

Where's the best place to live in Alabama?

Hey guys...didn't know AL was such a happening place!!

If you are going to live in B-ham...Homewood is a fabulous place. Although it is very, very expensive. I have heard that Trussville has boomed in the past several years. It is north of Birmingham. The drive wouldn't be bad at all if you wanted to work in B-ham. Hoover and Oak Mountain are also nice. The major bad traffic area is 280. Yes, it is a super nice area with many nice homes, etc. but your commute to work will be a nightmare until something is done about the roads. I believe that on a nurse's salary with 2 kids, you could still live in a decent neighborhood.

About B-ham crime...it is one of those places that you can easily end up in the wrong place. This is mainly referring to downtown Birmingham...especially Northside. Ensley is also horrible.

I don't know much about school systems, because my husband and I don't have kids yet. I do know through friends who have children that the Oak Mountain school system and Hoover school systems are two good ones. Sorry I don't have better info on that.

If it is nightlife and *fun* that you are into...B-ham does have a better nightlife.

Hope this helped a little more!

Amy:specs:

I live in Huntsville and I absolutely love it. I can't say much about nursing here because I am just a pre-nursing student, but it's a beautiful place to live with friendly people and a nice community.

I live in Opelika, near Auburn University. It's a fantastic place to live and raise kids. The local hospital, East Alabama Medical Center is the best hospital I've ever worked in. I came here from NC and worked in five hospitals there. We've lived here for little over 6 years and I can't think of living anywhere else.

Can anyone tell me what property taxes are like in the Huntsville area? We used to live in Dothan where the taxes were soooo low and we often feel that we should return to Alabama and enjoy the lower cost-of-living:) Huntsville seems a little more cosmopolitan than Dothan, yet houses seem quite reasonable. Are the houses under $150,000 in okay neighborhoods? Any help is appreciated!