According to the U.S. News & World Report, Huntsville is among the best places to live in America.
For those of us who live here in the greater Huntsville area, this ranking is no surprise. Our thriving cities and neighborhoods, school systems, business industries, and other local amenities make our region of Limestone County a hidden gem in the Deep South.
And we’re not the only ones that see the value in living in Limestone County. With the new Toyota/Mazda plant moving to Athens, growth in the automotive manufacturing industry will have considerable effects in North Alabama. Experts estimate that the new plant will bring over 4,000 employees and their families here to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
With the influx of families moving to Madison/Limestone County, we’re excited to welcome you to our home. As you prepare your family for a move to this area, we know that there are many important factors to consider. This list of resources will streamline your transition into your new home.
Places to live
If you’re moving to Huntsville, you’re coming to a city of rich culture, art, technology, and classic southern charm. While there are many great options for housing in downtown Huntsville, a lot of families are choosing to live in the suburbs. The following suburbs are great places to live and even made the 25 best suburbs of Alabama list for 2019.
Huntsville suburbs
Madison
Madison sits west of Huntsville, near the Alabama/Tennessee border. It’s known for its school districts, low crime rates, and booming industry. Even amidst a fast-growing population, Madison maintains a small-town southern charm with places like their quaint downtown district and historic homes.
Athens
Limestone County is home to the city of Athens. This city has been a continual place of growth and economy over the last several years. With a welcoming community, highly ranked public schools, and job opportunities, many people are looking to move to this area. Athens is a family-centric area with a rich history. If you have any interest in fried food or Greek heritage, Athens may be the place for you. The city celebrates its Athens Grease Festival every year.
Harvest
Harvest is a peaceful, neighborly town surrounded by rural landscapes. While Harvest is in a more remote area, this city makes for a great place to settle and raise a family. You can find restaurants, grocery stores, gas, and all the essentials in the town. And it’s just a short commute away from the city life of Huntsville. This city has recently faced incredible growth, with happy residents, excellent schools, and a serene environment.
School Districts
North Alabama is home to many of the state’s best public schools and school districts, according to Niche’s 2020 Best School Districts. These school districts were ranked highly based factors such as state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more.
Huntsville City Schools
Huntsville City Schools offers many opportunities for students within their public schools as well as their magnet school, Columbia High School. There are also opportunities to learn more about specific fields of interest, while participating in a variety of sports and clubs.
Madison City Schools
Madison City Schools have an extremely positive reputation from both parents, students, and faculty. The school system’s Bob Jones High School has been ranked as one of the best schools not only in Alabama, but in the nation.
Hartselle City Schools
Hartselle City Schools have positive teachers, a thorough curriculum, and a clean campus. With various opportunities for multiple learning levels, their school district aims to meet every student’s needs.
Athens City Schools
Athens City Schools have a diverse student body population, and offers a variety of clubs and activities in a family atmosphere. Athens City Schools also offers dual-enrollment classes for college credit.
Private Schools
Randolph School
Randolph School is known for its rigorous academics and incredibly supportive staff. With a beautiful campus and a plethora of organizations, clubs, and sports, the majority of students here are happy and continue to higher education.
St. John Paul II Catholic High School
The St. John Paul II Catholic High School is set apart by its thorough curriculum in foreign languages, mathematics and sciences, and religion. There is a high rate of student involvement in sports, organizations, and the community as a whole.
Healthcare
Huntsville Hospital
This hospital was founded in 1895 and is currently the second-largest hospital in Alabama. Huntsville Hospital is centrally located in the city of Huntsville and has won multiple awards for its service.
Athens-Limestone Hospital
The Athens-Limestone Hospital is a well-known hospital in Limestone County, being named one of the best hospitals in Alabama, with a full 4-star rating from Medicare.
Madison Hospital
Madison Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider, with all revenue reinvested to provide advanced medical services and equipment. Additionally, Madison Hospital is a member of the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
Entertainment
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
The Huntsville Space Center is possibly one of the most well-known attractions in North Alabama. On a visit here, you can enjoy daily guided tours, featured exhibitions, hands-on demonstrations and presentations, and museum simulators.
Athens-Limestone County Nature and Heritage Trails
Get outside and enjoy the many nature trails that this region has to offer. There’s plenty of biking and walking trails, as well as places for canoeing and kayaking.
Mooresville, Alabama
The tiny community in Mooresville is one of the earliest settled towns in the state. There are many historic buildings, including the notable Mooresville Post Office, the oldest operating post office in America.
Pepper, Johnstone & Company welcomes you to Limestone County
At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we pride ourselves on being local, influential, and responsive. As an independent insurance agency, we take a consultative approach when working with you. We know what types of coverage to shop for because we've established your coverage needs.
Our employees here at Pepper, Johnstone & Company have been in the Alabama area for decades. We’d love the opportunity to help navigate your new work home here in Limestone County. We love serving as advisors to you and your business, even outside of the realm of insurance. As residents of Limestone County ourselves, we understand the community and are confident we can provide you the guidance you need.
We look forward to meeting you and welcome to Limestone County! Don't hesitate to let us know how we can help you with your transition and relocation.
Pepper, Johnstone & Company is independently owned and locally operated to handle your insurance needs be it commercial insurance, home insurance, or just general insurance. We focus on Athens and offer affordable and reliable insurance choices all across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee. We will help you find the right combination of tailored, personalized insurance coverage at just the right price to fit your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.