HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville’s stalwart growth and regional economic success, booming job market, and wavering affordability when it comes to housing is somewhat of a mystery to people from the outside world, but it certainly has some journalists digging into why U.S. News & World Report named Huntsville the best place to live in the U.S. in 2022-23.
Travel pro and guide author Jessica Fender released an exposé in the December issue of AAA magazines entitled “Why you should visit Huntsville, Alabama”.
Fender’s thorough description of Huntsville’s many assets are not shocking to those of us who live in the Tennessee Valley, but her story shows how people who have never spent any time in North Alabama are in for a big surprise when they get here.
Fender spent time in Huntsville doing her research for the story and a footnote at the end of the lengthy story said, “Jessica Fender liked Huntsville so much that she, too, was tempted to move there.”
Huntsville’s natural assets set the story in motion.
“It’s surrounded by mountain ridges and dotted with sprawling green spaces,” Fender writes. “World-class arts and entertainment venues lure creatives of all types, and its scientific achievements changed the world.”
She highlights the regional forest trails, lakes and many waterways as the reason why hiking has become such a popular pastime in the area; and points to Blevins Gap Nature Preserve, Monte Sano Nature Preserve, and Wheeler Wildlife Refuge as the impetus behind everything from bird watching to nature-inspired art, boating/kayaking, and fishing.
Fender shares a conversation she had while hiking the Monte Sano trails, with a transplanted Kansas native who said, “Nature has been one of the best parts about my move to Huntsville a decade ago.”
She talks about the music, artistry, and theater available at some of Huntsville’s favorite venues like Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Orion Amphitheater, Campus 805, and the newly renovated Lumberyard.
She follows the “geek factor”, sharing the history of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, legendary Space Camp, and Marshall Space Flight Center and its contributions to space ranging from the Apollo program that put Huntsville on the map, to the work done in Huntsville on the current lift off and successful return of the Artemis I moon mission.
And she concludes by pointing out Huntsville’s many hotels and places to stay while here, including the AAA Four Diamond 106 Jefferson with its location in the heart of downtown with its Baker & Able rooftop bar.
AAA, a travel and motoring club resource, has 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada.
Having their recommendation is a blast for Huntsville.
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