Why Move to Huntsville, Alabama?
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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.
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.
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.
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:
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.Entertainment in 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:
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