COMMUNITY

Looking for a great place to live and work? Look no further than the Tennessee Valley and Huntsville Madison County. But don't just take our word for it. Consider these recent accolades:

  • Huntsville named one of America's Top 5 Technology Cities - Computerworld, October 2007
  • Huntsville named one of Forbes Leading Cities for Business - Forbes Magazine, May 2007
  • Huntsville named one of the Top 10 Metros for Scientists and Engineers – Expansion Management, May 2007
  • Huntsville named one of the country's Top 10 Job Growth Markets - Manpower, March 2007
  • Huntsville named the country's Best Value for Salaries and Cost of Living - Salary.com, June 2006
  • Huntsville named one of America's Top 5 Cities for Professional Workers – Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2007
  • Madison named one of the country's Best Places to Raise a Family - Sperling's Best Places, May 2006
  • Huntsville named one of the "Top Ten Green Cities in the U.S." – The Green Guide, April 2006
  • One of the 50 most adventurous towns in the country - National Geographic Adventure, September 2007

TECHNOLOGY
Huntsville emerged as a leading technology center in the south with the arrival of Dr. Wernher von Braun and his rocket team to Redstone Arsenal in 1949. Today Redstone Arsenal is one of our Nation's premier Defense installations and a center of excellence for missile and aviation technology, as well as home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Huntsville has one of the highest concentrations of engineers in the U.S. and one of the largest research parks in the world. Forbes Magazine recognizes Huntsville as the 6th Best City in the Country for Business. Huntsville companies include many of the most recognized names of the Fortune 500 as well as the highest concentration of Inc. 500 companies anywhere in the U.S. Nearly every major aerospace corporation is represented here, along with the biotech and automotive industries, all of which keep the region on the cutting edge of innovation.Huntsville is also home to many technical and professional societies, over 70 of which are associated through the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (H.A.T.S.).

LIFESTYLE
Whether you are a young professional or nearing retirement, single, married or have children, the Tennessee Valley is a great place to live. Nestled between the Tennessee River and the Appalachian foothills, the Huntsville/Madison County area offers city, suburban and country living options at costs and commute-times lower than the national average. Huntsville is home to a variety of recreational, cultural and historic attractions for both children and adults, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and the Huntsville Museum of Art. Area entertainment is filled with sporting events (including professional football, hockey and baseball), theater, concerts (including the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Big Spring Jam) and an active downtown nightlife.

Huntsville rates among the country&s top cities (of 100,000+ people) based on air and water quality, electricity use, public transportation, recycling and preservation of green space according to The Green Guide. The city has devoted almost a third of its land to green spaces including undeveloped forest and nature preserves, along with public gardens, parks and waterfront. With all of this natural beauty, recreational activities abound, including biking, hiking, boating, hunting and fishing. There are clubs and activities for every interest, including the Huntsville Track Club which supports The Cotton Row Run and Rocket City Marathon each year. Golfers can choose from a number of courses in the area, including three Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses.

If shopping your idea of recreation, Huntsville won&t disappoint. Bridge Street Town Centre, located in Cummings Research Park, opened in 2007 with 2 million sq. ft. of upscale retail stores, restaurants, class-A office space, a Westin Hotel, 10 acre lake and Monaco Pictures. Area malls include national department stores as well as well-known specialty stores and local boutiques. Quaint shopping districts accompany neighborhood centers to provide a variety of shopping alternatives. Residents also enjoy making day trips to surrounding regional centers such as Nashville, Birmingham and Atlanta for additional shopping opportunities and weekend outings.

EDUCATION
K-12 Schools - Area public and private schools have a long tradition of excellence. The Huntsville/Madison County community has shown a strong commitment to the needs of a diverse student population combining an outstanding core curriculum with advanced learning opportunities and innovative magnet schools to help students develop their talents.

Private Schools - Many independent or religiously-affiliated private schools are located in the Huntsville/Madison County area. Detailed information on private schools in the Huntsville/Madison County community can be found at www.huntsvillemadisonprivateschools.org

Institutions of Higher Education - Area colleges and universities offer a diverse selection of science, engineering, business and liberal arts degrees through the doctorate level as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities. Area schools have been recognized nationally for excellence in technology and business with the University of Alabama in Huntsville ranking as one of America&s 100 Best Buys. In total, more than 20,000 students are enrolled in area higher education.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

For websites related to Redstone Arsenal and surrounding communities, see the following lists provided by the Arsenal:

INFORMATION ABOUT AMRDEC&S OTHER LOCATIONS

Joint Research Program Office (JRPO) in Hampton, Virginia
Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) at Ft. Eustis, Virginia
Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD) at Moffett Field, California Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED) Maintenance Engineering Division at Corpus Christi, Texas

Photo of Huntsville

Photo courtesy of the Huntsville Convention & Visitors Bureau