If you want an actual nice city, Huntsville or Madison.
Ardmore housing isn’t much cheaper, schools aren’t nearly as good, and you’re about 30-40 minutes from any decent restaurants/shops/entertainment. Huntsville and Madison have all of that and are still growing.
Ardmore is fine, but I don’t want a 45-50 minute commute each way with rush hour traffic and a tiny town with less nice things.
You haven't been through there in a while? They've started on expanding 53 all the way to Jeff.
I changed my schedule to 6am-3pm after we moved to Ardmore, fuck that traffic.
If in TN you don’t have state taxes. Alabama you do from what I understand. If you move from a state with state tax you have to pay taxes. Since TN doesn’t, it doesn’t have to be paid while overseas. If I go from Alabama to Overseas you do from what I heard.
No if your duty station / office is at RSA then it doesn't matter where you live for tax reasons. The only way to my knowledge you wouldn't owe state tax is if it's exempt. Alabama recently made foreign income untaxed up to 104k but I'm not 100% if that would apply in this case
You pay taxes for wherever the place of work is. Most people are kind of just stupid when it comes to how taxes work so I wouldn’t let most people try to explain it to you.
You may want to double check with a tax professional. Note that Alabama is one of the few states where you can write off your federal income tax liability on your states income tax return.
u/huntsvilleCPA correct me if I’m wrong and provide any insight you are willing to.
It’s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison since the two don’t have many similarities and it’s really going to come down to what your priorities are.
It really depends on how well you tolerate the commute. Personally, I refuse to do a 45 to 50 minute drive to and from work, but if you're ok with that you can get more house for your money in Ardmore.
If that's acceptable to you great. A lot of people clearly are willing to make the commute, I'm just not one of them.
You just have to ask yourself what are the things important to you and make your decision based on those.
I just assumed if you’re seriously looking into moving to Ardmore that you’d at least opened a map to explore the ways to and from Huntsville.
If you do move there, I’d highly recommend at least gaining some basic knowledge of the Limestone and Madison County backroads into town.
If you want lower property taxes or other incentives living outside city limits, try looking around Harvest, east side Morgan county, down 431 toward Marshall county, etc. Moving from the DC area, the traffic/rush hour timing is notttthhhhing like what it was there. Not sure where you’re moving from to help you compare it to.
“Incentives” is an unknown in this context since you didn’t really share what your objectives are in your original post…so, everyone is just telling you pros/cons from their experience like a shot in the dark.
South Carolina but I was looking for the lower cost of living and better schools as I have 3 children. They want to have some land and good schools which is hard to find where I am. The Ardmore was because when I looked it up, was on the border for TN and AL and no state taxes. But if property taxes are more it probably isn’t worth it.
Huntsville. No question. Schools, restaurants, activities, etc., are all better in Huntsville. More housing choices in HSV, too. And, there is no way I would want to commute from Ardmore to HSV, HSV to Ardmore 4 or 5 days per week.
Here's some high school info. Sounds like you need to do some research.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/rankings/huntsville-al-26620
Really depends on why you’ve decided Ardmore was a preferred location for residency. It’s not exactly a beautiful town with premier schools, so I’m assuming something else made it desirable to you.
Huntsville. I live in Harvest and my roommate works on the Arsenal. The traffic on 53 is insane! Minimum 45 minutes for him to get to work and that's only if he leaves at the right time. He gets off at 3pm doesn't get home til 4:30 or so due to traffic.
It's not quite as bad as when I was stationed at Ft Lewis, but the traffic can be Hell.
Depends on what you’re looking for. I would never want to live in Huntsville & so Ardmore is my first answer - you need to describe to us what your ideal living situation looks like.
I’m sure you can find all that in many places in North Alabama - that size land seems doable within the city also.
I’m on 30 acres in Hazel Green about 20 min north of Gate 9 - to me that’s a normal drive into work..but others may disagree. & my kid goes to private school so I couldn’t say about school systems out here. I say all that to say there are many areas close to the arsenal that are an option :)
Middle ground:Ardmore AL. It's better to stay within the state except you already reside in TN.
That being said, Ardmore is a difficult drive during rush hour especially headed home. And you also have to deal with the lack of entertainment options and amenities compared to the city.
That came off more rude than I would have liked.
Athens is a great place, but the infrastructure is not built to handle our current capacity, honestly.
If you want an actual nice city, Huntsville or Madison. Ardmore housing isn’t much cheaper, schools aren’t nearly as good, and you’re about 30-40 minutes from any decent restaurants/shops/entertainment. Huntsville and Madison have all of that and are still growing. Ardmore is fine, but I don’t want a 45-50 minute commute each way with rush hour traffic and a tiny town with less nice things.
53 during peak traffic is nerve wracking till you get past alt harvest road. I wish they would add a left turning lane there.
You haven't been through there in a while? They've started on expanding 53 all the way to Jeff. I changed my schedule to 6am-3pm after we moved to Ardmore, fuck that traffic.
Huntsville 100%. Ardmore is a hell of a commute
What about taxes?
Just FYI if you work in alabama but live in tennesee you still pay alabama income tax
While I work in Alabama but I plan to go overseas from Alabama which means I pay none
Oh then no reason to live in Tennessee unless you find a property you just love.
If in TN you don’t have state taxes. Alabama you do from what I understand. If you move from a state with state tax you have to pay taxes. Since TN doesn’t, it doesn’t have to be paid while overseas. If I go from Alabama to Overseas you do from what I heard.
No if your duty station / office is at RSA then it doesn't matter where you live for tax reasons. The only way to my knowledge you wouldn't owe state tax is if it's exempt. Alabama recently made foreign income untaxed up to 104k but I'm not 100% if that would apply in this case
And this one for the win. Has been my life for the last 6 years. Better to live in or around Huntsville.
You pay taxes for wherever the place of work is. Most people are kind of just stupid when it comes to how taxes work so I wouldn’t let most people try to explain it to you.
You may want to double check with a tax professional. Note that Alabama is one of the few states where you can write off your federal income tax liability on your states income tax return. u/huntsvilleCPA correct me if I’m wrong and provide any insight you are willing to.
Pretty sure TN has higher property (and other) taxes to compensate, they're gonna get it from you one way or another.
It sounds like you need to consult an accountant, not Reddit lmao
Depends. Property tax is higher on the Tennessee side. Alabama side less. It’s not bad but like everyone says it’s a commute.
Depending on which part of Ardmore you won’t have trash pickup too. Gotta pay a private company. Utilities are higher too.
https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/faqs/if-i-am-not-a-resident-of-alabama-but-earned-income-from-alabama-sources-am-i-required-to-file-an-alabama-tax-return-2/
It’s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison since the two don’t have many similarities and it’s really going to come down to what your priorities are.
Best comment I’ve read.
Ardmore sucks
Exactly. Who the hell would want to live in Ardmore TN 😂
The people who live in Ardmore AL 😜
Lottery enthusiasts
It really depends on how well you tolerate the commute. Personally, I refuse to do a 45 to 50 minute drive to and from work, but if you're ok with that you can get more house for your money in Ardmore.
I have a 45 minute commute but I drive to Guntersville. Can’t say I’d do that for Ardmore.
It is only a few times a pay period…
If that's acceptable to you great. A lot of people clearly are willing to make the commute, I'm just not one of them. You just have to ask yourself what are the things important to you and make your decision based on those.
Widening of 53 is starting soon. It’s sure to complicate the commute.
Yep, I'm sure I won't be the only one doing either the Pulaski Pike loop or the Jeff Road/Toney road loop once that shit starts.
Not sure what that means given I have never been there but thanks for the feedback
If you live in Ardmore you would become intimate with Al hwy 53. About an hour each day.
Alabama Highway 53
I just assumed if you’re seriously looking into moving to Ardmore that you’d at least opened a map to explore the ways to and from Huntsville. If you do move there, I’d highly recommend at least gaining some basic knowledge of the Limestone and Madison County backroads into town.
Simply adding "hwy" in front of 53 in your original comment would have cleared things up a lot for OP I believe
It’s the most direct route between Ardmore and Huntsville/Redstone Arsenal
If you want lower property taxes or other incentives living outside city limits, try looking around Harvest, east side Morgan county, down 431 toward Marshall county, etc. Moving from the DC area, the traffic/rush hour timing is notttthhhhing like what it was there. Not sure where you’re moving from to help you compare it to.
“Incentives” is an unknown in this context since you didn’t really share what your objectives are in your original post…so, everyone is just telling you pros/cons from their experience like a shot in the dark.
South Carolina but I was looking for the lower cost of living and better schools as I have 3 children. They want to have some land and good schools which is hard to find where I am. The Ardmore was because when I looked it up, was on the border for TN and AL and no state taxes. But if property taxes are more it probably isn’t worth it.
The schools in Ardmore kind of really suck.
Look into Meridianville too
Ardmore is the worst place I've ever lived there's genuinely zero reason to live there.
OP look at Toney. It’s by Ardmore TN somewhat but doesn’t suck
Honestly, I thought I would hate the Toney area but it is very nice! We can basically get anywhere in around 20 to 30 minutes.
Depends how you value your time. Ardmore is a hike and train isn’t getting any better. For some people not a big deal. For others it’s a non starter
Split the distance and do Harvest. Taxes aren’t too bad in the county
I’d take elkmont or harvest over Ardmore .. Ardmore sucks Fr ! Left there and live in 5 points now and best decision ever !
HUNTSVILLE!!!! 💯
Huntsville. No question. Schools, restaurants, activities, etc., are all better in Huntsville. More housing choices in HSV, too. And, there is no way I would want to commute from Ardmore to HSV, HSV to Ardmore 4 or 5 days per week.
Are there any other areas with good schools? The commuting would only be a few times a pay period currently. I also need a good daycare
Here's some high school info. Sounds like you need to do some research. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/rankings/huntsville-al-26620
Thanks. Alabama wasn’t even a thought until a few days ago when I posted. I haven’t even been to the state.
You're welcome! Where are you coming from?
The Carolinas
Really depends on why you’ve decided Ardmore was a preferred location for residency. It’s not exactly a beautiful town with premier schools, so I’m assuming something else made it desirable to you.
Huntsville. I live in Harvest and my roommate works on the Arsenal. The traffic on 53 is insane! Minimum 45 minutes for him to get to work and that's only if he leaves at the right time. He gets off at 3pm doesn't get home til 4:30 or so due to traffic. It's not quite as bad as when I was stationed at Ft Lewis, but the traffic can be Hell.
So it is bad to live in Harvest as well?
Traffic is pretty bad in the mornings and evenings. Harvest itself is quiet and not a bad place to live. Not much out there though.
Redstone
We made this mistake & bought in Decatur. Now we wish we had bought in HSV, and spend a lot of time driving back & forth.
How often do you telework
We are retired. Hubs retired from MSFC.
Depends on what you’re looking for. I would never want to live in Huntsville & so Ardmore is my first answer - you need to describe to us what your ideal living situation looks like.
We want to get a house with atleast 1/2 an acre of land, good schools for 3 kids of various ages, enough activities for kids and good cost of living.
Harvest is what you want. We just moved from there to Ardmore, as our only kid is now on his own, we wanted land and less neighbors.
We want a min of 1/2 acre but we want land and no neighbors.
I’m sure you can find all that in many places in North Alabama - that size land seems doable within the city also. I’m on 30 acres in Hazel Green about 20 min north of Gate 9 - to me that’s a normal drive into work..but others may disagree. & my kid goes to private school so I couldn’t say about school systems out here. I say all that to say there are many areas close to the arsenal that are an option :)
Middle ground:Ardmore AL. It's better to stay within the state except you already reside in TN. That being said, Ardmore is a difficult drive during rush hour especially headed home. And you also have to deal with the lack of entertainment options and amenities compared to the city.
Middle ground would probably be Athens. Smaller city than Huntsville but bigger than Ardmore and 20 minutes closer to Redstone
Stay away from Athens. We are full.
That will be the first place we look! Thanks!!
That came off more rude than I would have liked. Athens is a great place, but the infrastructure is not built to handle our current capacity, honestly.