So my son is going to be working in Huntsville. Any suggestions for areas to look and areas to avoid?

There’s tons of new apartments and condos popping up. Your thread isn’t complete…..who is working in Huntsville and where will they be working?

My son. Fixed it. Not sure where it’s at. I’ll get the details.

Wish him the best - put me on his contact list here if he ever needs anything.

Avoid northwest Huntsville, north of Drake Avenue, west of Memorial Parkway, east of Research Park and south of Meridianville are not really friendly places.

I lived at country club apartments next to Crestwood. I was in a two bedroom townhome. I enjoyed it

Budget would also a useful but missing detail.

My niece has graduated and is starting a new job here this summer. I displayed my shocked face at the prices she’s finding. Also, at least one place here uses some kind of system that figures occupancy rates to calculate a rent amount daily (if I understood her correctly). This place didn’t seem to lock you in at a rate when you got your application either. They told her a story of someone’s rate jumping between the time they got the app and returned it. So it would appear that your monthly rent isn’t known until after your app is approved and is the amount figured the day you sign the lease. What a crock.

This and location of work. They are really ramping up the downtown area and around the hospital. Would be a cool place for a single feller to live. Able to walk to grocery, restaurants, bars, gym, etc.. Time of day that he will travel to and from work can make a big difference too.

Live in Athens and commute to Huntsville is my advice. Rent would be cheaper and the commute isn’t bad depending on which part of huntsville he’s going to be working in. Also as others stated avoid north huntsville and anything east of research park. Madison city limits is going to be expensive however just outside the any of the city limits would be the places I would recommend. Send me a message if you would like more particular details.

Sunlake or any of the 3 places at zeirdt rd.

SAIC is where he’s going to work. Not sure on budget. He’ll be making $55,000 a year. Car is paid for so he doesn’t have a car payment. Student loans are about $400 a month.

My son lives in a complex called Gravity. Huge complex that is in a convenient location. They haven't had any issues there.

If he’s single, I’d buy a place in the “hood” of Huntsville. If there is such a thing.

I have no idea how much they are, but there are some brand new apartments right there at bridge street where he could walk to work if he wanted to. They look nice on the outside. Also some apartments next to Cabelas. I’m a fan of avoiding traffic if possible, and those two areas get you a mile or less from work. Might be expensive as chit, but This one is literally next door to SAIC https://www.steadfastmanagement.com...Ht36yNhbM2GVutjfQeto1uNbrcAaAmMdEALw_wcB

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Some of the small studio or 1 bed apartments in new complexes are going for $2K+ a month. Lots of government contractors live elsewhere and get a large per diem on short one/two year contracts to work here, which is driving prices sky high. Less than 10 years ago I rented an older apartment off Zierdt road for $475 / month when I was still living outside Birmingham. Same apartment is more than $1K now.

This is exactly what I was going to tell you! Athens would be my area of choice, but the housing allowances are going to really be expensive. There are businesses popping up everywhere, as well as housing! My wife is a realtor in the Shoals area, and if you need to know more, ask Bar7mag aka Clint Vandiver on here for advice. He is a realtor in the areas you are asking about and used to be an aldeer sponsor on here.

There’s some duplexes behind Robin Rents, just off 72 outside madison. They’re usually really affordable and not bad. Probably 900$-ish a month. Beats the rent on most apartments out there. PM’ing you the landlords number.

The Athens to Huntsville commute would be a nightmare. No to mention the number of wrecks that occur during rush hours.