My husband wants to retire from the Army next year and he wants to go back to Northern Alabama (his folks are from Killen, near Florence area). We are currently living in Columbia, SC and I like it a lot. There is no way he will stay here. He says it's just as good in Alabama. The Florence area does not impress me, also they had a lot of major lay-offs in that area and I was wondering how the Huntsville Area is. Are there normal jobs out there? Can you live of 40T/year? I just have a bad feeling leaving SC because there are jobs here. My in-laws are no help either. They think a low-income job would be sufficient if you live in 2 bedroom apartment. But we want a house and support our two kids (meaning me working very flexible hours). Please tell me: Is it possible to survive in Huntsville? I don't want to offend anybody but after living in California, Mississippi, South Carolina, Germany it's just hard for me to understand why he wants to go back.
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Attn.: Northern Alabama/Huntsville Area Cathe Fans
- Thread starter Katerchen
- Start date
Hi, I don't think I can help you very much, but I just wanted to say that when my DH left his fellowship in Nashville, he interviewed in Huntsville for a position. It just seemed like such a nice/clean little city. A good place to raise children. I wanted him to take the job soooooo bad!!! (He didn't). Anyhoo, it's about 1.5 hours from Nashville, which is convenient. I've only heard really good things about Huntsville from folks who live or who have lived there. Very picturesque.
Instead of Huntsville, we moved to New Orleans. Now *that* should scare you. LOL. Robin.
Instead of Huntsville, we moved to New Orleans. Now *that* should scare you. LOL. Robin.
Steppingup
Cathlete
I have lived in Alabama all of my life and of course think it is the best place to live. I have been to Huntsville a couple of times (but not lately) and I remember it as Robin described it. I just don't think you can go wrong with Alabama and I can't believe it would be that much different than where you are living now. I guess I could be wrong. I think you could live fairly comfortably on 40T in our area (Birmingham) and would think Huntsville would at least be close to the same.
Good luck with your decision. I know it is a big step and especially when you don't like the idea of moving in the first place. Let us know what happens!!!!
Kelly http://www.sgtfuzzbubble99.homestead.com/files/Smilies/De_Niro/eeyore.gif
Good luck with your decision. I know it is a big step and especially when you don't like the idea of moving in the first place. Let us know what happens!!!!
Kelly http://www.sgtfuzzbubble99.homestead.com/files/Smilies/De_Niro/eeyore.gif
SteppingFool
Cathlete
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-13-02 AT 06:58PM (Est)[/font][p]I have lived in Huntsville for about 17 years now. It's actually a town full of engineers, if you/your husband is an engineer, jobs are usually plentiful. There are a lot of 2 income families here who are very well off due to both are engineers... they probably well over $100T combined. And cost of living here is not very high. Of course, I have not worked for about 4 years now... sort of lost touch about the employment opportunities since I am not looking for one. Huntsville has been described one time, as 'a pearl in a bowl of grits' -- it's different than most southern cities... it's has a mixed of people from different part of US and other countries. The city was 'build' on the space exploration after WWII, so anything that is space related is big here... and your children will grow up having interest in space exploration. My kids do!
I am sure you can live off on any income, you just have spend money differently. Why don't you just visit Huntsville one day when visiting the in-laws. If you need more help, e-mail me.
Haslina
p/s
I like it here. I think it's a good town to raise children. It's big enough, but not too big, if you know what I mean.
I am sure you can live off on any income, you just have spend money differently. Why don't you just visit Huntsville one day when visiting the in-laws. If you need more help, e-mail me.
Haslina
p/s
I like it here. I think it's a good town to raise children. It's big enough, but not too big, if you know what I mean.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words. Maybe Alabama is not that bad after all. I guess I am so freaked because my husband is going to retire and the safe paycheck is gone. We have never been in the civilian workforce and it will be an adjustment. I asked and he is willing to visit Huntsville in summer. We'll look at everything then (housing, jobmarket etc.)
Hi.
I live in Huntsville, AL and have all my life. I must say that I like it here as I am an engineer and jobs have always been fairly easy to get. I went to school here and college here. My husband is not from here and before I met him, I had never left the South. Since then, we have travelled quite a bit and I must say that at times I think Huntsville is boring. But, I don't have any children. Huntsville is a great place to raise children with plenty to do for kids. There is stuff to do if you look for it. We have some of the best lakes around and the climate is pretty good. Although, it gets hot in the summer. I wish Huntsville had more to do in the area of arts and entertainment but it is growing. Birmingham and Nashville aren't fare either. Lately, I've been wondering what it would be like to move but I would probably never get the courage to do it as I don't want to leave my large family. I think there is a lot to like about Huntville and only a few things not to like. There are many people here that didn't grow up here. I usually get surprised looks from most people when I tell them I grew up here. There are so many "implanted" folks from all over the country. Come and visit sometime!
I live in Huntsville, AL and have all my life. I must say that I like it here as I am an engineer and jobs have always been fairly easy to get. I went to school here and college here. My husband is not from here and before I met him, I had never left the South. Since then, we have travelled quite a bit and I must say that at times I think Huntsville is boring. But, I don't have any children. Huntsville is a great place to raise children with plenty to do for kids. There is stuff to do if you look for it. We have some of the best lakes around and the climate is pretty good. Although, it gets hot in the summer. I wish Huntsville had more to do in the area of arts and entertainment but it is growing. Birmingham and Nashville aren't fare either. Lately, I've been wondering what it would be like to move but I would probably never get the courage to do it as I don't want to leave my large family. I think there is a lot to like about Huntville and only a few things not to like. There are many people here that didn't grow up here. I usually get surprised looks from most people when I tell them I grew up here. There are so many "implanted" folks from all over the country. Come and visit sometime!