(Another?) SoCal to Huntsville seeker. Aerospace field. (Auburn, Madison: transplants, rental)

[Fontana_]

Hi all. Born and raised in Iowa, I moved to El Segundo CA after graduating college to work at Raytheon. 18 years later, it sure would be nice to be around more conservative Christian like minded folks. It's no secret in the industry about the success of Huntsville in the space and airborne fields.

I saw another thread on here with some guy asking what seemed like trolling or condescending questions about moving from here to there. I myself mow my own lawn, and put my pants on one leg at a time. I'm not a CA cheerleader. There genuinely are snotty California cheerleaders and that ain't me. Trying to escape that, actually.

Anyway, checking the company intranet and doing some research on Huntsville has me interested. I see a lot of new growth in your area and an attractive cost of living. As this isn't my first relocating rodeo, just curious to hear what folks have to say about Huntsville and importantly the Aerospace opportunities there.

I'd like to raise my 8 y.o. daughter in an environment that's more similar to how I was raised in Iowa. Cruising, gravel travel, letting her go to the mall with her friends.

Things like that. I welcome what anybody would like to contribute. Thank you for the time.

[TimCity2000]

i don't think it would be a stretch to say that life in huntsville would be much more similar to life in iowa than to life in southern california.

[American_Renaissance]

curious to hear what folks have to say about Huntsville and importantly the Aerospace opportunities there.

Probably never be without a job (especially if you have a clearance)
MUCH cheaper than SoCal, obviously
There is no traffic
Very middle class, not a lot of really rich people or poor people
Dreary weather in winter
Electricity is really cheap as is gasoline
Fire Ants
Not a huge demand for diversity of things like restaurants
Not a "southern" city

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Fontana_

Hi all. Born and raised in Iowa, I moved to El Segundo CA after graduating college to work at Raytheon. 18 years later, it sure would be nice to be around more conservative Christian like minded folks. It's no secret in the industry about the success of Huntsville in the space and airborne fields.

I saw another thread on here with some guy asking what seemed like trolling or condescending questions about moving from here to there. I myself mow my own lawn, and put my pants on one leg at a time. I'm not a CA cheerleader. There genuinely are snotty California cheerleaders and that ain't me. Trying to escape that, actually.

Anyway, checking the company intranet and doing some research on Huntsville has me interested. I see a lot of new growth in your area and an attractive cost of living. As this isn't my first relocating rodeo, just curious to hear what folks have to say about Huntsville and importantly the Aerospace opportunities there.

I'd like to raise my 8 y.o. daughter in an environment that's more similar to how I was raised in Iowa. Cruising, gravel travel, letting her go to the mall with her friends.

Things like that. I welcome what anybody would like to contribute. Thank you for the time.

Fontana,

Another California here transplanted to Huntsville for 9 years before moving back because of family. Having lived in Huntsville, I'd say your hunch is right on and you are making the right decision for your family.

I've been told Huntsville is 90% transplants. Lots of folks from California and Washington DC, so rest assured you will not be in hillbilly country. Home prices have gone up recently but compare to LA prices, you'll be shocked at what you can buy for a fraction of what you can sell your home in LA. Commuting will be a breeze, less than 30 minutes no matter where you live to Raytheon in Research Park. Everything is CHEAPER, from home prices to taxes to insurance (auto & HOI). You'll literally feel the stress off your shoulder. You'll stand taller, chest higher, and feet lighter. School choice wise, I'd recommend you consider City of Madison as its schools are probably the best in the State.

If you're a conservative and an Engineer then I'd assume you like guns. This state is heaven for gun collectors. I think the order of priority is God, Bible, Guns and Alabama vs Auburn football team (the last two are arguably interchangeable). You do have to declare your allegiance on which football team you'll support when you exchange your driver's license at the DMV (just kidding but shows you how seriously the locals view this ) If you live in the Limestone county (west of Countyline road in Madison), you can go to the Sheriff's office in Athens and apply for a CCW in less than 5 minutes and walk out with a permit, at $5 a year and I'd recommend you go ahead and get a 5 year permit. You will be LEGAL to carry in 32 States including a drive to visit family from Alabama to Iowa. A concept inconceivable in the Kommunist People's Republic of Kowlifornia.

Make the move.

California will only get worse with its politics and economy. You can expect HIGHER TAXES this year or the next. After all what do you expect when you SHUT DOWN the economy? You broke it, you own it. More regulations, more fees, and more pro-socialist policies. I own a rental property here and the State has extended the eviction moratorium into 2022 without compensations or help to Mom & Pop landlords. It's designed to break the backs of small business in this State. I am seriously considering leaving again if not for the family.

[Fontana_]

I appreciate the informative and insightful responses so far. I agree that the ever increasing in difficulty quality of life in California does not bode well for its future.

I appreciate even more, the order of God, Bible, guns, and.....Iowa or USC football. Haha.

I don't even entertain the word hillbilly, but I can relate. Some Californians automatically assume people from Iowa are a bunch of corn cobs. I've heard it all.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by American_Renaissance

Probably never be without a job (especially if you have a clearance)
MUCH cheaper than SoCal, obviously
There is no traffic
Very middle class, not a lot of really rich people or poor people
Dreary weather in winter
Electricity is really cheap as is gasoline
Fire Ants
Not a huge demand for diversity of things like restaurants
Not a "southern" city

That pretty much sums things up, except gasoline is getting more expensive now for some reason. Chevron regular is now $2.099 this morning, up 10 cents from a couple of days ago. That's still a lot lower than southern California.

Winter weather is dreary chilly about half the time. Today, it's overcast and 36 F in my yard. We've had clouds for several days, and a fair amount of rain yesterday. The main difference in here and Iowa are milder winters with very little snow. Summers are pretty hot and humid, but every place has air conditioning so it's not that big an issue unless you work outside. Even then, you learn to live with it.

Raytheon's main building is on the west side of Huntsville in the Cummings Research Park West, and is very convenient from Madison. And Madison has excellent schools, so it's a good match.

It's not clear how the incoming administration will affect the local economy, which is highly dependent on NASA and DoD. Hopefully things will be fine, but you never know.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

It's not clear how the incoming administration will affect the local economy, which is highly dependent on NASA and DoD. Hopefully things will be fine, but you never know.

We lived through 8 years of Obama administration and the local economy survived. I think it will be fine.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

We lived through 8 years of Obama administration and the local economy survived. I think it will be fine.

Yeah, that's what I think too.

I have a feeling though that the Space Command Headquarters, if the new service even continues to exist as a separate entity, will be in Colorado. It could very well be dissolved under the Democrats. Under Trump, it stood a better chance of moving here. However, it may revert to being part of the Air Force, like it has been for some time.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Yeah, that's what I think too.

I have a feeling though that the Space Command Headquarters, if the new service even continues to exist as a separate entity, will be in Colorado. It could very well be dissolved under the Democrats. Under Trump, it stood a better chance of moving here. However, it may revert to being part of the Air Force, like it has been for some time.

You have a good point.

In the past, a new Administration from a different political party cancels the previous Administration's new initiatives. We saw Clinton canceled Bush Sr. Mars-Moon initiative (SEI). Obama canceled Bush Jr's Constellation Program (Ares I & V). Won't be surprised if Biden cancels the Artemis program and the US Space Force.

Now that the Democrats has majority in the Senate, "Uncle Shelby" will no longer commands as the Chair of Senate Appropriation Committee. There will be less assurance that funding will continue to flow to Huntsville like milk & honey.

But I don't think Biden can cancels the SLS program. NASA did a good job spreading the program funding to many States. It's "too big to kill" now. Same on the DoD side for missile defense. Some DoD funding maybe reduced but it will not be significantly affecting the Huntsville economy.

[Fontana_]

I'm on my 3rd SLS program and the entire rocket is behind schedule and over budget. I feel this is NASA's final soiree and the future lies in privatization. I also feel the lions share of SLS is done, and barring catastrophic failure that the project is in too deep to cancel. But being the feast or famine field that Aerospace is, anything is possible. Always scary.