This article is brought to you by the KEYFINDERS Group.
Welcome to a brand new series entitled “Moving to Madison Mondays”, which is designed to be an ongoing, go-to resource for those who are:
- moving to Madison, Alabama soon
- have recently moved to Madison, Alabama
- looking to learn more about the community around them so that they can generally just be more informed.
Moving to a new city often feels like starting all over. Not only does one generally have a long list of things to figure out to make a place feel like home, but he or she may not have anyone to pose these questions to besides Google.
This series is inspired by my mother-in-law, who recently moved to this area with my father-in-law to be closer to our children. She was sharing with me one day about her confusion with getting a direct answer to a few things they needed to get in order, and it hit me that she’s likely not the only one who is getting the “run around” with figuring out elements of their new town.
We’re kicking off this series on a light-hearted note: Why do community members love living in Madison, Alabama? If you’re headed this way soon, I hope this article gives you something to look forward to, debunks a few stereotypes, and teaches you something new.
Here is what you can look forward to in upcoming weeks of this series:
October 12th: Madison City limits explained
October 19th: Which schools are the best schools?
October 26th: Where to get a driver’s license
…and much more in November and December and beyond!
Why do community members love living in Madison, Alabama?
It has a small-town feel with big-town perks.
Though our city is the fastest growing in Alabama (according to Madisonal.gov), it is still only home to approximately 50k people. This number lends itself to Madison being a “smaller” community, though our opportunities for shopping and entertainment are more similar to a city that is much bigger. Name your favorite business or outing, and there’s a good chance you’ll find it in Madison or in one of our many neighboring cities.
The cost of living is low.
State income tax and property tax percentages are much lower than a good chunk of the country. Residents who move here from out-of-state are often shocked by how far their dollar goes, especially when it comes to how much property they can now afford.
The low cost of living also lends itself to much more affordable retirement options than other parts of the country, which means that generations of families can all enjoy what our city has to offer.
Our public school system is award-winning.
Niche.com ranked Madison City Schools the second-best district in the state in 2020 and the 34th best district in the country. Every single one of our public schools is individually ranked amongst the best in the state, meaning that there are no “good schools and bad schools” in our city. No matter which school one is zoned for, he or she will receive an excellent, quality education.
We are diverse.
North Alabama is like a magnet for industries and professionals from all over the world, lending itself to a diverse community. Madisonal.gov states that 61% of our population is White, 17% is Black or African-American, 4.5% is Hispanic or Latino, and 6.5% is Asian.
Local higher education opportunities are all around.
There are more than five colleges within a 45-minute drive of Madison (a few that are just 15 short minutes!), making in-person higher education opportunities absolutely available.
The airport is around the corner.
Wheels up! The Huntsville International Airport skirts Madison City limits, making travel by airplane as convenient as it could be. Some Madison residents live just five minutes from the drop-off sidewalk, with the furthest residents being just 20 minutes away.
Say hello to all four seasons!
Madison experiences all four seasons for a good chunk of time each. You usually won’t see snow in the fall or spring. In fact, you may only see one annual snowfall at all (and it’s magic when it happens since it’s so rare.) Our summers are warm and humid but far from unbearable. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to stay in the low 90s during the hottest weeks of the summer.
We have a minor league baseball team.
Though the Rocket City Trash Panda’s first season was axed during to the pandemic, their shiny stadium is here to stay and ready to provide endless entertainment right in our backyard for decades to come.
The close-by road trip destination opportunities are endless.
The day-trip or long-weekend road trip options are endless. Hop in the car and you’ll soon be at one of these lively cities exploring some of the world’s prettiest beaches, the country’s best hiking opportunities, or big city’s museums.
Birmingham: 1h 30m
Nashville: 1hr 45m
Knoxville: 3hr 30min
Memphis: 3hr 30 min
Atlanta: 3hr 30min
Gatlinburg: 4hr 20min
Asheville: 5h
Gulf Shores: 5hr 30min
New Orleans: 6hr
What others say
Don’t just take my word for it. Here are a few quotes from other residents in our community who shared why they enjoy calling Madison home.
“I love living in Madison, Alabama because it’s a vibrant city with growth on every corner! On top of that, the community is full of young families, and there’s a real focus on education and community resources such as parks, libraries, rec centers, and sports complexes.”
“We really enjoy living in Madison because the community loves children and the school system. Madison has great outdoor areas, shopping, and restaurants.”
“I love Madison because it shares many of my values regarding family, education, and community.”
“We love living in Madison because it immediately felt like home after moving here from out of state three years ago. The town is so friendly, there are endless things to do with young children, the schools are amazing, and any shopping needs that we have are easily within a 15-minute drive. Not to mention countless beautiful neighborhoods with affordable housing!”
“We enjoy living in Madison, Alabama because of the great school system and also because we love how diverse it is. We meet people from all over! It’s such a wonderful community to be a part of.”
Meet the October Sponsor of “Moving to Madison Mondays”
KEYFINDERS Group
KEYFINDERS Group understands that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals.
To inquire about using KEYFINDERS Group for your upcoming real estate needs, please email Katie or find them on Instagram.
More from Madison
A List of New Construction Neighborhoods in Madison, Alabama
Is It True that the City of Madison Wants to Turn Three Springs Into a Community Center?
The Nitty Gritty Behind All Things Madison: Who Runs the Account, Motives, the Pandemic, and More
