Huntsville, Alabama
An Award-Winning Place To Live and Work
by Mike Manosky
Real estate markets in and around
Huntsville are booming, businesses are thriving,
communities are growing and achievements are
being made. It’s showing, too. Every month
(sometimes multiple times per month) Huntsville,
Alabama is honored with yet another award. These
are not obscure presentations by organizations
nobody has ever heard of. These are prestigious
recognitions from magazines such as Forbes, Inc.
and Entrepreneur.
Top 10 Green City, Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville was named one of the Top 10 Green
Cities in the U.S. by the Green Guide. Because
of our energy-efficiency, our less polluting
practices and our healthy living spaces, we were
recognized with this prestigious honor.
Huntsville: One of America’s 50 Hottest Cities
The year
started with Expansion Magazine naming
Huntsville as one of America’s 50 Hottest
Cities. Expansion reports, “The
consultants, whose identities remain
confidential, were asked to list their top city
choices for relocating and expanding
manufacturing companies, taking into
consideration such factors as the business
climate, work force quality, operating costs,
incentive programs, and the ease of working with
local political and economic development
officials.” Positioned at #22, you’ll find
Huntsville. Real estate development and market
conditions are likely to also play an important
role in Expansion’s decisions because cost of
living and the current condition of the real
estate market is so closely related.
Huntsville Recognized As A “Best Place” To Raise
A Family or Operate A Business
May brought
about three outstanding awards for Huntsville.
“Best Place to Raise A Family” from Sperling’s
Best Places was granted to Huntsville. Real
estate, cost of living, schools and other
factors contributed to Huntsville receiving this
honor.
In addition,
both Inc. and Forbes magazines awarded
Huntsville with recognition as one of the
Country’s Hottest Midsize Cities and one of the
nation’s Leading Cities for Business and Career.
Because of Huntsville’s attractiveness to
national and international science,
manufacturing and other businesses, and because
of Huntsville’s real estate market, schools,
crime rate and other factors, we were recognized
as a superlative city.
Best Value for Salaries and Cost of Living and
Military Community of Excellence
The summer also
brought additional awards to be proud of. The
first was Salary.com who named Huntsville as a
Best Value for Salaries and Cost of Living this
past June. The following August, Expansion
Magazine, in a special issue, named Huntsville a
“Military Community of Excellence.” Considering
the onslaught of new civilian and military
personnel brought in by the Base Realignment and
Closures (BRAC), Huntsville should take great
pride in the fact that she is not only keeping
pace, but thriving.
Entrepreneurs Love Huntsville
September came
with the announcement that Huntsville was named
a Top Entrepreneur Hot Spot by Entrepreneur
magazine. No surprise, considering everything
you’ve read about our town thus far.
Huntsville has
been an outstanding town for years. However, as
of late, she has truly grown into her own. As
more businesses and military and civilian
families move into our area, the prosperity is
sure to continue. Dedicated to education, family
and community, Huntsville will certainly remain
an award-winning city for decades to come.
Area City
Information:
Monrovia - Harvest Area
– Monrovia is an attractive area attached to and is just north
of Madison and Highway 72 West. Home prices range from $75K to
$750K and home sites tend to be a little larger. It is
conveniently located to many major shopping outlets like Home
Depot, Lowes, SuperTarget, Publix, Wal-Mart and Kohl’s to name
a few. It is a bedroom community to Huntsville located closely
to Research
Park, Madison Square Mall and Redstone Arsenal.
Madison
– Madison is a wonderful city touching the western boundary
of Huntsville. It is home to an excellent school system. It is
conveniently located to Research
Park, Madison Square Mall and Redstone Arsenal making it a
popular choice for area residents and those relocating to the
area. It has well over 40 different subdivisions with every
possible home style and amenities ranging from $80K to $750K
NE Madison
County/New Market – Huntsville and the
surrounding areas are all growing. This area is quite popular.
It is a perfect location right by the beginning of Interstate
I-565 and Highway 72 east. It is has many new schools in the
area like Mt. Carmel Elementary and Riverton
Middle School.
There are many new homes being built in the area with a wide
variety of choices. Prices range from $90K to $350K. Along
with the convenience of the Interstate many major grocery
chains like Kroger and Winn Dixie are right there. Travel a
few miles down Winchester Road and you’ll be in New Market. It
is little farther out, but a great place to be if you want to
be in the country but not to far from the city.
Hampton Cove
–
www.HamptonCove.com Located on
the eastern side of
Huntsville, AL, real estate offerings in Hampton Cove boast
three Robert Trent Jones golf trails, 28 lakes, numerous
parks, 20 miles of continuous sidewalks, and a total of 16
large, planned communities with spacious home sites. This
“neighborly” area is close to both the historic downtown
district and modern conveniences. It has its own neighborhood
elementary and middle schools. In addition there are many
neighborhoods directly around Hampton Cove and many more are
being constructed today. It is a popular choice for families,
singles, and retirees. Home prices range from $120K to $1M.
Harvest/Toney
– The Harvest/Toney areas are just north and east of the
Monrovia area. This area is also a popular choice for many
families who want to be close to Research
Park, Madison Square Mall and Redstone Arsenal. There are
many major roads that service this area. This is an excellent
area to find an acre or two or more if that is what you
desire.
Owens Cross
Roads/New Hope – This area is located in the
southeastern portion of Madison
County. It is halfway between
Huntsville and the beautiful Lake
Guntersville
area. You can find a wide variety of home choices here from a
single family home to a sprawling farm on 10 or more acres.
Home prices are in the $60K to $200K range.
Meridianville/Hazel
Green – Meridianville is the first city north
of Huntsville on the way up Highway 231 to Tennessee. It has
several grocery stores, restaurants and modern conveniences.
It is only approx. 5 miles north of Huntsville. It is also
home to 2 golf courses Colonial Golf Course and Fox Run Golf
Course. Hazel Green is a few more miles up the road. This area
is very popular option for families wanting to be a little
farther away from the city. Home prices range from 50K to
300K.