Since we are now empty nesters, we are considering moving to the lake.

I've fished the Big G a lot over the last several years and, in my mind, Guntersville is the town I'd like. Probably just familiarity.

My kids will be in school at UAB and Bama so Gville is a little closer and that matters to a degree but not a deal breaker.

We want a boathouse and there are houses and land in both markets in our price range.

The given is we will find a church home and a family home directly on the water in either town.

Neither of us have lived in that area, so we need some local knowledge

The items of importance are as follows:
1. Convenient to good stores and shopping (box stores, specialty, bait and tackle)
2. Good golf, restaurants, and enjoyable town life.
3. Home resale values
4. Whatever y'all think separates the 2 towns

What say ye Bretheren?

I grew up on guntersville, I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Grille always seemed more expensive to get on the water. I’ve always felt the fishing was better toward scottsboro. S pro is central to Huntsville and Chattanooga. But guntersville has more shopping options because of the 3 towns close together. And Huntsville is not that far. Get the best place you can afford and enjoy the lake life.
Ps. A lot more illegals in gville,But the Mexican food is some count round there.

Get a place on the bluff in Section, Al. Beautiful views and access to all mentioned.

Im not familiar with Scottsboro but I can point you to a good church in Boaz which isn't far from Guntersville

Good golf courses in either city. Goose pond in scottsboro and gunters landing in guntersville.

Can’t go wrong either way. Some nice lake living between Scottsboro and Guntersville.

Oh yeah... The view looking west from Section is magnificent.

Both are nice

The traffic in Guntersville is enough to keep me from moving there. 431 sucks. Just that simple. To get the best of both worlds, just live on the water, on Hwy 79 somewhere. You'd be close to both. I've never lived in either. Much more familiar with Guntersville just because I live closer to it. Both cities are growing. IMO, Guntersville will be sort of like a Mentone, or Helen GA before many more years. It's becoming more eclectic by the day.

I like Scottsboro, but I’ve lived here all my life. Have no intention to move unless I can convince my wife for us to move to our farm in Skyline- which won’t happen any time soon.

Both have nice golf, and plenty of nice golf within an hour drive, From Huntsville to Mclemore across the Tennessee line. Plenty of nice churches to choose from whether you want a large feel or small feel. Both are growing and getting new things by the day. I’ve saw more commercial growth in Scottsboro over the past 5 years than I have the 30 previous to that. Shopping they are probably about the same. Guntersville is closer to Albertville which has a lot of new things like the amphitheater for concerts and etc, and Guntersville has done more in terms of utilizing their waterfront for commercial allure. I’ve never understood why Scottsboro doesn’t take advantage of some of the waterfront, but it’s probably coming down the pike.

Both are within 45 minutes from anything you would want, in terms of restaurant and nightlife, in Huntsville.

I’m not familiar with the tackle shops around Guntersville, but Scottsboro Tackle on the downtown square had plenty of everything I ever needed when I was in the fishing game. They always keep up with the hot items too. Waterfront Tackle is right in between the two and has plenty to buy, too.

Scottsboro has really, over the past few years, made a concerted effort to revamp the small town life along the downtown square. Seems like every month there is some kind of event or festival going on. And they are only wanting that aspect to grow.

The main separator to me is If you deer and Turkey hunt, Scottsboro and Jackson County would win that category. And if you like a good old fashioned snack before or after the hunt, well, we have Shortys right in the backyard.

I’ve got nearly 4 miles of bluff line in Skyline and am still jealous every time I’m over looking the river from a view in Section.

Grant mountain has some lake views too
We built some nice houses with those views

We stayed in a house in Mink Creek in November. It was nice, but dang what they were asking for it seemed high.

Yep, this corner of the state has a plethora of good views. I’ve talked many time with people about how we are spoiled here with these views.

You can't go wrong either way , however , Fur makes a huge point. 431 through G'ville , Albertville and Boaz is one terrible stretch of road. Most of the businesses are built along it . There's no service roads and it super busy , lota wrecks ! 72 comes through S'boro but traffic moves on through pretty well. S'boro does have service roads and is extending them. Scottsboro is centered better on the lake for fishing , I guess about 1/2 way point between the Dams.

No

Love both. We will be retiring to guntersville our selves one day. But I love scottsboro for the hunting fishing and abundant public lands

For those not familiar with it, they can't comprehend how bad a 4 lane highway can be. There are no limited access areas. Median crossings every few hundred feet in the most congested parts. It's insane. I'd rather drive through B'ham during rush hour than to drive from Sardis to Guntersville on that dang 4 lane. I avoid 431 like the plague. I take 205 from the top of the mountain, to Sardis if it's daylight. It use to just be real bad on Friday, but everyday is the same now.

I would also venture to guess that the cost of living is higher in Guntersville.

If Guntersville Tackle and Outdoors, Waterfront, or Scottsboro tackle doesn't have it for fishing, you don't need it.

I have yet to find a good restaurant in Scottsboro. There's some OK restaurants, but not good. (I'm sorry for all you people that like 50 Taters 🤪) Scottsboro is definitely cheaper, but I don't think the resale value would be near as good.

Thanks to everybody that responded and sent PM's. It sounds like a good place to transition into the grandparent years.

Now, the million dollar question. If the town isn't the deciding factor, What part of the lake is the best part to live on?

I want my own boathouse