SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Trying to escape Washington. What can you tell me about Huntsville, AL or Layton, UT?
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Frangas non Flectes |
We might have an opportunity to relocate to either of these two locations. I've never set foot in Alabama or Utah, but neither had I in Washington until we moved here. My big concerns are that we live somewhere at least somewhat conservative, for all the reasons you can think of. We have a six year old son who I'd like to raise away from the nutflakery that is the Seattle area, my wife is terrified of driving in the snow, and I want to live in the most 2A friendly place I can for all the reasons you can think of. For now, those are the big factors. I'd like to know what Sigforum members think of these places, if you're of a mind to help me make a decision. Which would be more welcoming of two Trump voters who want to raise their son in a more traditional society? ______________________________________________ Endeavoring to master the art of the grapefruit spoon. | ||
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| Uppity Helot |
I was stationed at Hill AFB from 1996-1999. Although my info is dated, the area was certainly not lefty by any stretch. | |||
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Sigforum K9 handler |
I like Huntsville. I go down there for training from time to time. Huntsville proper shares its own set of big city problems. Nothing out of what is “ordinary” for a metro area. But in 20 minutes, you can be in a rural area and on your own. Lots of fun stuff to do. NASA has a large standing there. It’s hot and humid in the summer. A little bad weather in the winter. You’re about 2.5 hours to Birmingham and Nashville. I like Huntsville and enjoy my time down there. I have friends that live there and they seem to like it. | |||
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| Member |
Layton was ok, it snows there and lots of Mormons when I was there. All nice folks and was 2a friendly. The liquor stores used to be state owned and you could only drink if you had a club membership. I haven't been there for many years however. | |||
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| Frangas non Flectes |
I don't drink, so this is neutral to me, but I appreciate the info. I could live in a dry county and be fine with it. ______________________________________________ Endeavoring to master the art of the grapefruit spoon. | |||
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| Green grass and high tides  |
Let me first say, that Wa. is a great state. As beautiful as any and more so than most. The weather in my mind is great. Yes a lot of rain and a longish grey winter. But outside of that. It is fantastic. Water, rivers, lakes, creeks, ocean and mountains galore. The Pacific ocean is amazing. Not a swimming, sandy type beach. More of a rugged, rocky, and steep place. But beautiful. I understand the greater Seattle area has it's issue's no doubt. Especially politically. But an amazing and diverse place. I can tell you that growing up in the PNW was an amazing experience. To be able to do all the things I did outdoors as a kid I would not want to change a thing. Utah is cool, but percapita has more than its share of nut case's. I personally would not want to live there. I know nothing of Al. But the weather would be a huge change from the PNW. For better or worse. I would call it worse myself. The heat and humidity would suck. If you are not from PNW I can understand wanting to go back to where you came from. These threads talking about moving because of a political lean seem silly to me. With the Caveat of places like Mass., NY. NJ. etc. "Practice like you want to play in the game" | |||
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| Member |
Driving in the snow isn't scary. They way people in Seattle drive in the snow is. ____________________________________________________ The butcher with the sharpest knife has the warmest heart. | |||
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| Member |
Look up Operation Paperclip. It will give you a background on the area. Has its problems like all cities. Lots of military in the area and rocket scientists. Relatively pretty, has branch of University of Alabama. Gun friendly state. Close to Nashville. Nice area. Mild winter. | |||
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| Too soon old, Too late smart |
My son/dil live in Farmington UT. They love it. Definitely a red state. The two things we didn't care for is the dryness of the air. Morning nosebleeds not uncommon for us but we're only there for a few days. Inversions happen occasionally, something you should check out. Other thing is lack of greenery. Being from Virginia it was quite a contrast. Can't be of help re Huntsville. My guess is cost of living is a better deal there not to mention milder winters. _______________________________________ NRA Life Member Member Isaac Walton League I wouldn't let anyone do to me what I've done to myself | |||
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| Frangas non Flectes |
All very true. I learned to drive on the US side of the border across from Montreal, so driving in a white-out blizzard and not putting it in the ditch because I knew where the road was supposed to be is a fond memory of mine. My wife learned to drive in central Florida and it absolutely terrifies her.
The rest of your post, I agree with. But the writing is on the wall for this area and I'd like to get out while the getting is reasonably good. Boss1 summed it up about perfectly below. ______________________________________________ Endeavoring to master the art of the grapefruit spoon. | |||
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delicately calloused |
Well right now it’s windy as crap in Layton. Lol You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier | |||
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| I have a very particular set of skills |
That's the crappy part. WA, geographically, and outside of the Puget Sound is a stellar state. Mountains, oceans, lakes, etc etc etc. But otherwise, it is nowhere near what you remember. Seattle is not the emerald jewel you remember, and that's putting it nicely. It used to be a very 2A friendly state, up until about 8 years ago. It has RAPIDLY changed and appears to be on a trajectory to do the same. Thanks to Seattle/King Co. every year in the legislature is just GC bill after GC bill after GC bill. They keep throwing fecal matter at the wall, and every time, something new gets passed through. Until the tide turns in the state legislature, it's only a matter of time until WA eclipses places like CA, MA, NY, and NJ. IIRC, they've set the record for being under D control. Of the two, unless you like H&H (humidity and hurricanes), bugs, snakes, etc. it would be a nice suburb in UT. Snow? Subaru or other AWD. Done. Snow is no biggie (within reason)...its the invisible black ice that can get a bit tricky. $.02 worth. Boss A real life Sisyphus... "It's not the critic who counts..." TR Exodus 23.2: Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong... Despite some people's claims to the contrary, 5 lbs. is actually different than 12 lbs. It's never simple/easy. | |||
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Tinker Sailor Soldier Pie |
That law was changed. It is no longer the case. Liquor stores are still state owned, but that can have its benefits as well. For instance, Liquor is sold at MSRP. I can buy scotch and bourbon cheaper here than in NJ. Last year I scored a ten year old Pappy Van Winkle for $70. Anyway, this is all moot to you apparently. I love Utah. When I try to imagine what other State I'd want to live in over Utah, I can't. ~Alan Acta Non Verba NRA Life Member (Patron) God, Family, Guns, Country Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan | |||
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| Member |
Huntsville is great. It has the typical city problems. But, there is a lot to do there. The schools are great. Lots of engineers and rocket scientists making sure their kids follow in their footsteps. Advantages of a college town, military town, and Southern small town all rolled into one. Cost of living is decent compared to other areas of the country. Plenty of outdoor activities including hunting are available in the area. Huntsville was my option before my wife locked me into Auburn. GW. | |||
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| Green grass and high tides |
I spend a lot of time in the greater Puget sound area. Still a great place with incredible beauty and a lot of good folks around. So not like relating only my childhood. The grass is not always greener. Dozer, been there a half dozen times in the last six month. Enjoyed each and every trip.  Got another in the works.  I am not going to run and hide from everything I do not like about someplace. I am going to mind my own business and do what I do. Others can do the same. "Practice like you want to play in the game" | |||
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PopeDaddy |
I live in, and am from, Huntsville. 54 years. Hard to find someone from here anymore. Growing too too fast. Going to be bigger than Birmingham in a few years. Housing is cheap. Too much recreation. Temperate weather. 2A friendly and Union-unfriendly. NASA, FBI, US Army and defense contractors galore. More engineers, doctors, lawyers and preachers than you can shake a stick at. Great hockey and football. Fantastic brewery’s. Place has gone right to hell if you ask me. But Californians and Nor’easters think we are all backwards and that keeps them away ... so there’s that going for us. 0:01 | |||
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| Retired, laying back and enjoying life  |
Rather than take up bandwidth describing the area you can email me (email in profile) and I can answer any question about Huntsville as I worked there for twelve years and have lived 30 miles south of it since 1985 where I retired to a small farm. Having lived in both Washington and Alabama I definitely prefer Alabama. Freedom comes from the will of man. In America it is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment | |||
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| Member |
A HS friend for mine moved from CA to Huntsville area 25 years ago and never looked back. Loves it there. I visited him there and liked it. It's an area I'd consider, if I have to leave Oregon. -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. Ayn Rand "He gains votes ever and anew by taking money from everybody and giving it to a few, while explaining that every penny was extracted from the few to be giving to the many." Ogden Nash from his poem - The Politician | |||
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| Oh stewardess, I speak jive.  |
I've spent tons of time all over Alabama, with lots of extended family scattered about. I would chose Utah, for the climate and 21st Century living. Alabama exists in a time bubble. You either like it or not. I don't hate it, and it's pretty, but I'd never ever live there. | |||
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semi-reformed sailor |
My in laws live in Huntsville (near Hampton cove). They love it there. He took a Govt contracting Job a decade ago and then retired there. The outlying areas are still growing ten years since they moved there. Lots of things to do. They don’t complain about taxes. Great gun store called Larry’s...USPSA is shot at a range in Arab and Rocket City Shooting Club East of Gurley. There is a Remington plant there. Lot of jobs in all kinds of fields...but everyone knows a rocket scientist or two because of the Base. "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein “You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020 “A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker | |||
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SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Trying to escape Washington. What can you tell me about Huntsville, AL or Layton, UT?
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