Trailhead Huntsville may be a little biased, but we believe that Huntsville, Alabama is one of the best cities to call home in 2022.

Don’t just take it from us! U.S. News ranked Huntsville, Alabama as the third best place to live this year in the United States with an overall score of 7.6/10 and a Quality of Life score of 8.2/10. Huntsville also ranked #1 on the Most Affordable list and on the Best Places to Live in Alabama list.

With thousands of open jobs this Spring and new businesses opening seemingly every week, it’s no surprise that more people are choosing to call Huntsville home. Not to mention, the cost of living remains low in comparison to other cities!

Nestled in the cove of a small mountain range, Huntsville offers a variety of trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike. This makes Huntsville not only a fun and affordable place to live but also the perfect home for nature lovers.

Taking all of this into account, we gathered the top 7 reasons why we believe Huntsville is the best city to live in the United States.

Jobs for All Skill Levels

Over 8,000 jobs are currently listed on Indeed alone in the Huntsville, AL area. High-profile employers like the FBI and U.S. Space Command shared that they will be slowly moving to Huntsville over the next few years bringing hundreds of new jobs with them.

A Smart Place through the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce listed the top employers in Huntsville based on the number of jobs each company offers. They named the U.S. Army/Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville Hospital, and NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center as the top 3 employers.

Not to mention, “Now Hiring” and “Help Wanted” signs can be found all across the city in restaurants, retail outlets, entertainment venues, and more. The types of jobs available currently range from entry-level all the way up to seasoned rocket scientists.

In other words, you’ve got options when it comes to finding employment in the Rocket City!

High Graduation Rate with Excellent School Systems

There are 55 public schools, 27 private schools, and 9 post-secondary schools in Huntsville. The graduation rate is high in Huntsville, where the high school diploma rate is 3% higher than the national average, and the bachelor’s degree percentage is 37% higher than the national average!

This high graduation rate correlates with the K-12 exemplary school systems, highly rated by parents across the city. Top elementary schools include Mt. Carmel, Riverton, Farley, Monte Sano, and Weatherly Heights. Also, diversity is high and more opportunity is created for students of all demographics and socioeconomic standings with the help of organizations like the Huntsville Inner City Learning Center.

Countless Entertainment Options

Entertainment abounds in Huntsville from the West in Town Madison down to Bailey Cove all the way over to Monte Sano in the East. And of course, everything in between!

Sports fans can attend a Trash Pandas baseball game, Huntsville Havoc hockey game, or a USFL football game! For those who are more hands-on, they can enjoy a round of Top Golf in MidCity, play games at Dave & Busters, or enjoy the climbing wall at REI.

Cultured folks and art connoisseurs may visit the well-curated and frequently updated Huntsville Museum of Art.

Also, music lovers should keep an eye out for live local music all over the city and big-name concerts at the Von Braun Center.

Sweet & Savory Food Options

Honestly, we could list dozens of restaurants here ranging widely in price, including Cotton Row, The Po’Boy Factory, Jack Brown’s, and Purveyor. The point is that in every district of the city, you’re sure to have manifold options for exquisite cuisine.

And who can forget desserts? Beyond the traditional ice cream parlors and cake shops (*cough Edgar’s!), Huntsville also brings a mean cookie game with crumbl cookies and nostalgic milkshake offerings like Oscar Moon’s Milkshake Shop.

Brews of the Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Varieties

When it comes to beer, Huntsville passed the Gourmet Beer Bill in 2009 which allowed higher alcohol content. This means the breweries have honed in on their craft for over a decade now. There are now at least ten breweries in Huntsville, many of them with several national awards under their belt!

Coffee-lovers rejoice in local offerings like Offbeat Coffee Studio and Angel’s Island. Tea-lover’s will find bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea and refreshing, locally-sourced teas from Piper & Leaf.

Surrounded by Nature

Huntsville is home to Monte Sano State Park which boasts of camping sites, mountain views, and plenty of wildlife. This park offers dozens of trails for hikers, bikers, and even paved paths with accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers.

Beyond the State Park, nature lovers can enjoy a membership through the Botanical Garden which hosts many events throughout the year. Many of these events are family-friendly with STEM learning for kids. Burritt on the Mountain also offers a great getaway with an historic mansion, historic cabins, and nature trails. Not to mention the farm animals, including goats and a pig.

If you live in Trailhead Huntsville, you also have the added bonus of trails right at your doorstep. Legacy Loop offers mountain biking trails and walking trails accessible for the whole family!

Trailhead Huntsville

If you’re thinking about making the big move to Huntsville, Alabama, the first thing you need is housing! That’s where we come in.

Trailhead Huntsville just opened Phase 2 and is selling single-family homes! Luxury apartments will be opening in just a few months. After that, coming soon to the community will be mountain lofts, chalets, and an active adult community.

Did we mention the homes are gorgeous? Customize your home with experienced designers offering luxury appliance options and spacious layouts. And every single home comes with a mountain view!

Also coming soon is a lodge, which will feature a workout facility, bar, deck lounge, restaurants, and shopping options. These amenities will offer convenience for residents as they will be only a quick walk away from any home within the community!

Find your adventure at Trailhead Huntsville! If you’re interested in learning more, contact us at 423.280.7630 or fill out the online form here.