Pros and Cons of Living in Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville is an amazing place to live. So much so that it ranked #1 on the list of the 25 best places to live in 2022 as reported by US News! The strong job market and affordability contributed to this jump from #15 in 2020 and #3 in 2021. On top of being named the #1 best place to live in the US, Huntsville is Alabama's largest city with a population of over 220,000 in the city and over 500,000 calling the Huntsville metro area home.

Whether you're looking for a new job or just relocating, we've got everything you need to know about Huntsville, AL! Like anything in life, there’s pros and cons to living in the Rocket City. We think the pros far outweigh the cons, but we'll let you decide for yourself why we think Huntsville really is, sweet home Alabama! 

Pro #1

The first pro to living in Huntsville is the affordability and cost of living. The average median sales price in Huntsville falls below $300,000, whereas the National average is above $360k. Property taxes are also low here, making it easier for first time buyers to get into their first home.

Pro #2

Huntsville is quickly becoming a great place for entertainment. There are new restaurants and entertainment venues popping up here almost daily.

In downtown a new entertainment district opened up called Stovehouse which includes shops, dining and multiple stages for live performances. Mid City is a new cultural district set to build an 8000 person amphitheater and will also include restaurants, fitness facilities and workspaces. The Von Braun Center is also located in Huntsville and is an indoor arena where you can catch a concert or performance!

We also have Dave and busters, Trader Joes and Top Golf and plenty of great places to enjoy a craft beer!

If you enjoy sports, we’re also home to the Huntsville Havoc Hockey team - say that five times fast! And the Rocket City Trash Pandas minor league baseball team! 

Huntsville is growing quickly with plans for a Zoo and our first Bucee’s mega gas station. Yes, Huntsville has officially arrived :)

Pro #3

Next up, we have great mountain trails for hiking and biking. We have great trails like Monte Sano in Huntsville, the Space and Rocket Center and John Hunt Park. Rainbow Mountain is also a great trail in nearby Madison.

We also have Lake Guntersville and Smith Lake where you can soak up the sun and spend a day on the water!

If golf is more your scene, we have country clubs and beautiful golf courses. Golf enthusiasts appreciate our mild winters which allow them to golf all year round.

Pro #4

Next on our list of pros is the job market here in the Rocket City. Huntsville has one of the highest average salaries in the Southeast with a lot of high paying government and engineering jobs.

We also have a very diverse job market. We have NASA and the US Army’s Missile Defense Agency.

The automotive industry has also expanded into Huntsville with a joint venture between Mazda and Toyota and a new manufacturing facility that will bring thousands of jobs to the area.

We also have a booming tech industry with Blue Origin, Facebook, the FBI and the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology here in Huntsville.  

If you're an engineer, there are no shortages of jobs here!

Pro #5

The 5th pro of living here in Huntsville is our educational opportunities! We have some of the top schools in the state as well as local colleges such as UAH, Alabama A&M & Oakwood.

The one caveat of course is our slight obsession with college football! If you're going to live here, you better have your favorite college team picked out!

Pro #6

The other great thing about Huntsville, we're centrally located and easy to travel to! The Huntsville airport is small and easy to navigate. Or if you prefer a road trip, we are just a short drive to major cities like Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham.

You can also get to the beach in less than a days drive and enjoy a weekend away. Huntsville really has it all!

Con #1

While we absolutely love living here, the reality is every place has it’s cons. 

The first con to living in Huntsville is the lack of infrastructure here. 

You used to be able to get anywhere in the city within 15 min. We’re starting to see longer commute times in the 20 to 30 min range as a result of increased population and businesses moving to the area. Of course for those of you relocating from large metro areas you’ll find that the traffic here is much more manageable than other places. 

The major thoroughfares in Huntsville are  I565, I65, Memorial Parkway and Hwy 72.

Con #2

The 2nd con to living in Huntsville is the seasonal allergies. We have high pollen in the summer and high humidity which can make it a difficult place to live for people who are sensitive to seasonal allergies.

Of course, that also brings warmer winters, rolling hills and beautiful tree’s so it’s a nice trade off!

Con #3

The tornados risk here is definitely con #3 and something that we have to mention. But just like living somewhere with hurricanes or floods, you find ways to prepare. 

Sweet Home Alabama

There’s not a song called Sweet Home Alabama for no reason - Huntsville Alabama is a great place to call home.

If you’re interested in learning more about the area or if you want to visit properties that are for sale in Huntsville or nearby, give us a call today. 

We would be happy to show you why Huntsville makes a great place to call home. 

 

Posted by Matt Curtis on

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