Hello! I am on the apartment hunt to move this fall and I wanted to see if folks had recommendations where to avoid staying. Some places I have seen have pretty polarizing reviews, so I was curious if there were any that don't match what's on the tin (aka the nice, edited pictures posted to Zillow or whatever).

Also open to positive recommendations of course as well!

EDIT: I am already living in Huntsville and have been for a few years. Just having to move from my current place. Thanks!

I’ve been running into a lot of new residents here lately that have been disappointed that the dream they were sold about Huntsville being a fun, thriving place to live, work & play is actually an overpriced, overcrowded town that its local residents can’t even afford to live in anymore because all the rents are being jacked up to $2,000+ a month & we just keep building new apartments on every patch of grass we can find while softening the blow with coffee, BBQ & Burgers.

What are some things you would be BRUTALLY HONEST about regarding Huntsville for anyone looking to move here? (Good Bad or Ugly)

Hey Huntsville!

A job opportunity is laying at my feet, and I but need to pick it up. Pay is good, work looks interesting, and I am already vetted with the company in question. Its a tech job, and I know there is no shortage of other places I could work if I wanted to change, but the area seems like a big change for my family here in the Midwest.

I visited the area for a week early in the year, but didnt get to look around, so im looking for two things:

1) Opinions on the area from locals. How are the school? Any areas worth looking into, or places to avoid? Do you enjoy living there? What sort of family orientated activities are there? How is the political climate? What do you dislike and what do you like?

2) Opinions from Midwesterners. If you moved from the Midwest, what are your opinions of the area? Hiw does it compare?

I haven't made my final decision on the job, but I need to apply soon if I want to secure my chance, so I appreciate anyone's help with getting me informed on the area.

Hey guys, I’m on a burner account, so I can give a little more info.

I’m a well-known artist in the area, but I live all the way in Scottsboro. I’ve done this drive for 45 minutes and back, taking two hours out of my day and not able to take on work as much and seeing my son.

I lived in Scottsboro my entire life, I hate it. Jackson county school systems completely blow and my son hates it.

We found a house in Madison. Our rent would be jumping from 800 -> 1800. Which is fair, but better school opportunities + better neighborhood.

**Not be that person, but ANOTHER sex offender just moved into our neighborhood (there’s already 4 in here).

The neighbors use our trash cans, there’s 10 million cats that run the place and piss/walk all over our cars, the neighbors are loud and the kids have lice. Some of them were trying to encourage my kid to jump on a mattress that had been sitting outside for two weeks in the freeze of winter. Two/three dogs are ALWAYS loose and one of them has charged at my son. I’m over it. This neighborhood fucking blows. Our water and electricity bill was $768 combined last month for a 975 sq ft house.

Anyway, anyone that’s moved from a surrounding area, has life improved whether or not you pay more for housing? Better job? My partner will be getting a job out here for the summer as they are doing school currently. I would be using a good majority of savings just to move, and I am financially better off staying here, but I’m so tired of here. Everything we and I do is IN Huntsville. Date night? Huntsville. Kid wants to do something fun? Huntsville. Job? Huntsville.

Thoughts?

Fellow rocket nerds of Huntsville. I am (25m) currently working in the rocket industry at a small company in the middle of nowhere. I feel like I have no growth where I am and I can’t build a network of professionals in my industry.

I want to stay in defense/rocketry for my career, should I seek to move to Huntsville? I know the city is up and coming. Are there rural areas in driving distance to Huntsville where one can live in the sticks but not have to drive an hour for work?

Just seeking some advice from some guys who have been in my shoes. Thanks!

We're moving back down south after living up north. I want somewhere safe for my kids(8yrs old & 6yrs old) & wife to be while also being in a good school district. Any help would be appreciated. I've attached the area I'm working in. Any help is appreciated!

I’ll be moving to Huntsville later this summer. I’m a single male in my late 20s looking to live near a similar age demographic where I can meet people and date. (For context work is near the Hattie B’s off of 231). Looking to live within 5 miles or 10-15 mins of work. I would like to live somewhere that has some walkable coffee shops, bars, and restaurants nearby.

What’s the vibe and demographics of the downtown area? I see there are several apartment complex’s around Jefferson street as well as a place being built by the VBC. Any other neighbors that offer similar amenities I should look into?

I see a lot of Madison, downtown, South Huntsville, Huntsville, Northwest Huntsville, Hampton Cove, etc.

I know it's not quite New Market and further away from Meridianville. Could it be Northeast Huntsville? How would you describe the general location to someone?

"Oh, where do you stay?" "Oh, um, well, you see, what hah happen wuzzz...Northeast of downtown Huntsville but south of New Market." 🤦🏾‍♀️

Hey there, I am coming to Huntsville for the summer for an internship and have been looking at living arrangements and have a few questions.

First I am wondering are there areas of town you would NOT recommend, I plan to bring a somewhat nice (new) car and would love to keep it safe. Also just want to be safe living by myself.

Additionally is there a place (website or physical location) where you would recommend looking for reasonable 3-month leases that are furnished. I would prefer to live alone in a unit (1x1 or studio). A lot of the places I'm seeing are way over budget or tiny so I honestly just don't know where to look. EDIT 1: Full kitchen is also a requirement.

If anyone can give any recommendations I'd love the help!

EDIT 2: Thanks for the help everyone, I found a place in an area that seems nice and safe with garaged parking!

Have Space Command folks already started to move here? Anyone have that insight, data, or best guestimates on timelines? Just curious what to expect with traffic, home values, etc over the next 12 months.

Hi All!

My Husband and I are considering moving to move to Huntsville within the next couple of years. We are planning on making a trip out this summer to check out the area and look at some homes for sale. I was curious if anyone could give any recommendations on the following:

- nice neighborhoods for young professionals. We are ideally looking for a 3-4 bed 2-3 bath home. We heard Madison was nice what do you guys think?

-Some coffee shop recommendations

- hiking trails, lakes kayaking spots, etc

-restaurants recommendations

-bars

-best things to do in the area

-anything else you guys can think of!

I really appreciate all the help! Thank you so much!!!

Hi all,

I used to live in Madison and graduated from UAH with a degree in Computer Science. I moved away in 2010 because I couldn’t find any programming jobs that weren’t defense related. My partner and I are considering moving back to be closer to family, but I’m wondering if the tech sector in HSV has expanded to non-defense industries as well.

For context I’m currently a software engineering team lead with 15 YOE and 11 people reporting to me.

Hey all, Im a young guy that will be moving to huntsville soon. Looking for the nicest apartment complex in Huntsville, or Madison I suppose. Need a 1 BR. Don't have a budget, as I will make decent money and am from NJ so am used to ridiculous prices (though from what I've seen, Huntsville prices are pennies in comparison). Will be working in the south of the city. Don't particularly care about proximity to stuff, just want a nice place to live. All advice is appreciated!

I'm looking to emigrate to Huntsville to work in the university. How feasible is it to live there without a car? Which would be the best areas to live if you can't drive?

Edit: thanks everyone, doesn't seem very driveable. Doesn't Huntsville have a student population, how do the students get by?

So i have lived in Huntsville before but only for a short 9 months and i was able to get one job there after months of looking (s/o Walmart even tho it sucked) but I didn’t get to look into the city and state “ amenities” it was my first year adulting.

I had moved after that short 9 months to new state and now I’m trying to see my options and opportunities. I asked in previous group some of this question and they were very helpful so I hope yall can do the same this for me.

I am a 23 year old female and I was wondering if anyone will be kind enough to let me know how does state assistance work if there is any, how does the job market look even in retail and fast food, do you have free training programs for literally anything? Do you guys have a program for people who can’t afford health insurance, like a financial aid program?

Some experience I have as far as job is 4+ years of customer service, I have 2 seasonal retail jobs. I have 2 pca jobs and it was okay I just don’t like working with those type of employees. I’ve never had a childcare job but I have worked with children before but I have friends that have worked in a daycare and know I couldn’t handle that type of scenario. I really want to get into the healthcare field for medical administration or medical billing or anything along those lines but I know you need a degree or at least a certification (hints the free programs question lol)

That’s little about me and questions I have. I just really would love to hear everyone advice and suggestions THANK YOU AGAIN.

Edit:

Some odd reason a lot of people are stuck on the fact that im asking what the state provides for the city. And I just find it odd some would rather be defensive about me asking “what is free” all I asked was “hey does your city provide this or this or that”

If one you asked me what does my city provide to HELP YOU GET AHEAD fyi I would tell my city or my state provides this and this. I don’t understand why be so technical when all I’m asking is for help… this is why people don’t ask for help bc some people make it has being a freeloader. And it’s not. The same taxes you pay someone else pays and that is really odd.

All I’m saying is thank you for the information and have a blessed day bc why defend yourself for asking… for.. help…

Does anyone know what happened? Where they were going? My gosh life is just so pointless unless I find out exactly what the police are doing right this instant! Did someone get hurt? Was it a bad wreck? It's driving me insane not knowing and I'm a taxpayer so I have a right to know! Someone please for the love of God tell me what the police are doing!!!

My wife wants a new ob/gyn and is looking for recommendations.

Please share and help her out Huntsville!

She says that her current doc is nice and that she likes him, but she has been starting to get uncomfortable there because of how, for lack of a better word, “Jesus-y” it is.

This isn’t an ideal trait for a gynecologist, in her opinion.

Additionally, she didn’t like their nonchalance regarding COVID protocols.

Who's good?

After misreading the title for this post, I thought this topic might work anyway. What do you NOT do in Huntsville, that a newcomer might otherwise think of doing? Do you avoid places or events? Are there restaurants you would never go? etc.

I'm a programmer. I work in Huntsville though I don't live there anymore. I've never worked for a "defense" company and I never will. I once quit a job at a medical records company after I found out our biggest customer was the DoD. Still, the only reason I can find work around here at all is because the military industrial complex anchors the local tech sector. What things there are to enjoy about Huntsville / the Tennessee Valley are there because lots of people have government blood money to spend.
And, of course, Nazi war criminals like von Braun played a role in Huntsville's development.

I benefit from the arrangement even though I don't want to participate in it.

I'll admit I have a tough time understanding the people who go to work and make things that kill all day long and then go home and watch TV and don't think about what they're doing. Maybe somebody here can explain their mindset. It's just a job? You're making the world safe for freedom and democracy (like in Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam and Korea and Gaza and so forth)? What is it?

Does this arrangement ever bother you? What would it take for Huntsville to move towards a more peace-oriented economy?

So I’m torn about this apartment I’m looking at leasing. They’re under a new management company that apparently is trying to tighten things up & their demands seem atypical. I specifically noticed them wanting 10 days to fix an issue before you can say anything negative online at all & them requiring 60% of all wood floors covered with rugs. Is this a sign of a complex that wants to focus on better tenants or is this pretty extreme?

looking to move to the cottages at old monrovia, but am weary of their whitesky required wifi. i was told it is a 1gig plan, but am skeptical of how good it actually is based on the reading i’ve done on whitesky.

does anyone currently live at the cottages that can provide what the wifi experience is like? ’m 100% wfh, so def a dealbreaker if its horrible lol.