Why Move to Huntsville, Alabama?

What is Huntsville, AL Known For?

There are many great things about living in Huntsville, including its affordability, low crime rate, and beautiful weather. Read on to find out more about why you should consider moving here!

 

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 Huntsville, AL

An Overview of Huntsville, AL

Huntsville, Alabama is located in north central Alabama, just north of Birmingham and is also known as Rocket City. It is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, which is responsible for launching many of our nation's space missions. The city also hosts the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal, which is the largest military base in the state. Huntsville has over 200,000 inhabitants and its future is exceptionally promising. This illustrious hub of progress and innovation is a prominent cultural and technological center in North Alabama and indeed the nation.

Located in both Madison and Limestone Counties and hosting a vibrant population of 500,000, the Huntsville metropolitan area lives up to its venerated name in every category of civic excellence: art, science, economic strength, community engagement, resourcefulness, progress, and quality of life.

#1 Best Place to Live

Most Affordable Place to Live

#2 City for Tech Jobs

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Benefits of Living in Huntsville, AL

Affordable Housing

It’s ranked #1 in the state of Alabama for affordable housing, according to Zillow.com, and labeled by Money Magazine as one of the "10 Hidden Gem Markets" for affordable housing in 2022. It’s rated as having the lowest violent crime rate in the nation, according to FBI statistics. And it’ll only cost you $50 per month to rent an apartment here.

There's A Lot Of Opportunity For Job Seekers.

If you're looking for a job in Huntsville, there's no shortage of opportunities available. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Huntsville had the highest number of new jobs added in 2014. This was followed by San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, Washington DC, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Portland.

Major employing industries in Huntsville include military/ aerospace and defense, medical, education, aeronautics, research, telecommunications and local government. Over 40 Fortune 500 companies have offices in Huntsville, while global tech startups are becoming increasingly plentiful. Cummings Research Park provides mass employment for professionals in the tech industry and is the fourth largest research park in the entire world. Visit our Employers page to learn more about employment opportunities in Huntsville and the Huntsville, AL economy.

More on Huntsville Employers

You'll Have Easy Access To Major Universities And Research Centers.

There are several universities located in Huntsville, including University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Auburn University, Samford University, and the University of North Alabama. These schools offer a wide variety of degrees and programs, including engineering, medicine, business, law, education, and more. Huntsville is also one of only two cities in Alabama that offers free community college tuition.

The Food Is Delicious.

If you love food, then Huntsville is the perfect place to call home. With so much variety available, there’s something for everyone. From fine dining restaurants to casual eateries, there’s no shortage of options. In addition to delicious dining options, there are also plenty of grocery stores where you can buy fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and other groceries.

education in huntsville 

K-12 Schools

A large and comprehensive district, Huntsville City School System has a wealth of institutions for its student population. These include pre-k programs, elementary schools, middle schools and junior highs, and high schools. They also offer enrollment at Magnet Schools, where students can gain knowledge and expertise in their areas of focus. Virgil Grissom, Huntsville High, and New Century Technology are among Huntsville’s best high schools. Ranking a prestigious 10 on GreatSchools.org, these educational favorites shine in student satisfaction and growth. You can read more about Huntsville's K-12 Schools here!

The Madison City School System is also an excellent resource for finding information about the city's outstanding and award-winning schools. 

Huntsville Higher Education 

Huntsville is close to a plethora of highly regarded schools for every stage of your education. The University of Alabama In Huntsville or UAH is probably the most notable and well known university amongst newcomers, but the number of excellent options exceeds far beyond this world-class college. Colleges and universities located in and near Huntsville, Alabama include:

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Things To Do In
Huntsville!

Entertainment and leisure in Huntsville is the heart and soul of Huntsville's cultural life — these things, combined with the rich history of the city make culture in Huntsville vibrant yet reflective.
The City of Huntsville has two designated arts & entertainment districts at its downtown core. These are called the Quigley District and the Meridian District. Both were unveiled relatively recently and include a wealth of high-end restaurants, pubs, bars, brewing companies, music halls, lounges, and the
Von Braun Center — a huge arena with a seating capacity of 10,000. These districts thrive with activity. For 15 weeks of the year, The Arts Council provides top-notch outdoor entertainment including street performance, block parties, and art exhibits.

We've compiled a list of our favorites! Check it out below!

Beautiful skylines

Entertainment in Huntsville

Downtown Huntsville is a classic downtown scene complete with dining, retail, bars and plenty of entertainment. 

MidCity District - This vibrant district boasts restaurants, shops, entertainment, and the Orion Amphitheater, an 8,000-person music venue.

Lincoln Mill - At one time, the largest cotton mill in the city, the Lincoln Mill District is now home to restaurants, shops and an eclectic mix of businesses, culture and entertainment.

Campus No. 805 - Breweries surround and make up this repurposed Middle School full of dining, entertainment, and event space.

Stovehouse - Old Stove manufacturing foundry turned into outdoor hangout/recreational area w/ event space, dining, retail, and even office space. 

U.S. Space Rocket Center - Outside of the Gulf Coast beaches, Space & Rocket Center is the highest grossing and most visited tourist destination in the state.  

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment - Historic cotton mill turned into entertainment venue, dining, retail, and artist workshops/hub.

Village of Providence - Shops and Dining, Neighborhoods, Hotel/Apartments.

Get Outside in Huntsville!

Huntsville may be a high-tech city, but that doesn't mean you can't also find the best of Alabama nature right outside your Huntsville doorstep. The city is situated along the easternmost edges of the Tennessee River , with most of Huntsville's perimeters falling to the slight south of Wheeler Lake. William B. Bankhead National Forest is located just over an hour to the southwest of the city. This forest occupies over 181,200 acres of untouched woodland and is the site of National Wild and Scenic River, Sipsey Fork. The trip to the forest from Huntsville is a stunning one, taken through lush and picturesque countryside. A host of other lakes, creeks, rivers, and natural spaces cover the land near Huntsville. Hikers will enjoy the proximity of dazzling views from Round Top Mountain, Keel Mountain, Huntsville Mountain, Monte Sano State Park, Wade Mountain, Berry Mountain, Rainbow Mountain, and Green Mountain, home of the Madison County Nature Trail.

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Sweet Home Huntsville

Area Resources

You may be asking yourself: How can I feel at home in a new city? Well — Huntsville isn't just any city. Huntsville  caters to the wants and needs of every kind of homebuyer — no matter who you are. People living in the area are many things. They are devoted and skilled outdoor enthusiasts. They are technology and research pioneers and entrepreneurial innovators. They are recent graduates; some are dedicated to family businesses. They are students, foodies, sommeliers, entertainers, athletes, and explorers — and everything in between. No matter your interests, goals, and areas of expertise, you're bound to find your niche in Huntsville. And with a compact, close-knit population, you'll have a fantastic community to rely on, too!

Visit the Huntsville and Madison County Visitor's Centre website for more information on the area. If you'd like to take your research to the next level, browse the links below for area resources and information on local services.

Hospitals & Medical:            Chambers of Commerce:

Interested In Moving to Huntsville?

For scientists, future scientists, students and educators, researchers and implementers, families, retirees, executives, and artists — Huntsville & Madison can be your base. Not only will you feel at home here, you'll become one of the many pioneers who have lived in this rich city. Huntsville and Madison create visionaries, and visionaries create great cities.

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