Comparative moderate housing costs - 6/29/2007

Though housing costs within the city limits of Montgomery, the capitol city, are high for the area ($85-$95 per square foot for older homes and $100-115/sf for new construction on the East side of town where the city continues to grow), relative to other parts of the country housings costs are quite reasonable. Add to that the fact that Alabama has amongst the lowest property taxes in the country and it is reasonable to conclude that Montgomery may be a good fit for those people shopping for lots of house with minimal money.

[Comment on this Posting]

Outrageous Sales Tax - 6/12/2007

Property tax is lower here in Montgomery, but at 10% the sales tax is outrageous. There are communities near Montgomery that have lower sales tax and therefore are more popular living and shopping areas.

[Comment on this Posting]

Public School Education - 4/12/2007

a bill has just been passed for a couple of a million dollars to make renovations and improvements to the public schools here in Montgomery. That is a good thing however, most of the public schools here are not that good.

[Comment on this Posting]

A Wonderful Place to Raise a Family - 3/30/2007

I would like to respond to some of the prior comments. I have lived in Montgomery all my married life (32 years) and it has been a wonderful place to raise a family. Montgomery may not have the very best school system but not all white children go to private school as one lady commented. My children had great experiences in the publics schools and in some of the magnets schools. Montgomery has an excellent magnet school program. The city has a great youth athletic program for kids to be involved and opportunities through parks and recreations for such things as tennis and gymnastics, dancing and art at very reasonable costs. There are lots of opportunities for involvement in the arts for the adults as well, with the outstanding Shakespeare theater and the Davis Theater. Many adults and families enjoy the fun at the Riverwalk stadium and Biscuits' Baseball. As for the racial problems, they do still exist with some individuals but there are a growing number of people, particularly Christians in Montgomery who are working together in unity to make this city a better place and one that demonstrates the power of the love of Jesus! Thank you for the comment about Frazer Church, as that is my church. There are other awesome churches in our community as well. MOntgomery has a tremendous background of history, as the cradle of the Confederacy and also the Birth of the Civil Rights Movement. We have had many differences in the past, but we are coming together as a tremendous group of people with a really great city!

[Comment on this Posting]

A STATE CAPITAL???? - 3/14/2007

What an embarrassment. It is such an ugly town. I am originally from Chicago and I felt like I was living in the south during the 1950s. All white children go to private schools and other races to the deplorable public schools. Community members even ask residents to supply paper, paper clips, pens, pencils, etc for the local public schools. There is a spirit of anger and oppression within the city. One cannot blame the people of other races to be anything else but anger. The only great thing about the city is Frazer Methodist Church that has a congregation that truely loves people from their hearts. It is a wonderful church that does lots of outreach.

[Comment on this Posting]

I totally agree with Amanda Don't move here! - 12/21/2006

I agree with the black hole post. I registered just to post so I could warn someone. I am from California and moved here 13years ago to go to college. I have been stuck ever since. The cost of living is so low it will trap you. But in comparison to what you make it really isn't that low. The sales tax eats you up. Very true it is culturally seperated. Not just by race but also by ignorance. There isn't very much to do for children or adults. As a previous teacher, if you can't afford private don't come here. Look it up Alabama is number 48 on the national education prof. list. True life here is easy and you become content really quick, however this is a much better place for retirement. Becoming content isn't very good when you are still pursuing your goals because you will lose them once you get here. Somehow they just fade away. I am finally moving out of here this year and hope to never come back.

[Comment on this Posting]

Boring....Racist.... - 6/20/2006

Lived in fifteen cities, east coast to west coast, large city to smaller ones...and in every Gulf State in the South.....lived here for six months when I was 21 (now am 30), had to get out....saw some disturbing things out of my window at work....notably....the police routinely using the same spot in front of our office to pull people over and some of us noticed that the police made the African Americans walk back to the cruiser, while whites were allowed to remain in the car after being pulled over.....bought a new car the week I moved there, salesman said the "N" word right in front of a young black couples face....not much to do there either, it is kind of dead past 10pm....

[Comment on this Posting]

Black hole! - 5/9/2006

Montgomery is like a black hole! People who end up in Montgomery never seem to be able to leave - and not in a good way! I was born and raised in Montgomery and it is considered a grand accomplishment to be able to get out. The school system is wretched unless you want to shell out the money for a private school education - I hear those aren't so bad. Crime is getting bad in most of the city. And there is NOTHING to do but go to the same small bars over and over every night - it's always the same! Sales tax is 10% at this moment. Alabama is ultra-ultra-conservative just in general; but Montgomery (which is now majority black) is just like one big hypocrisy. It's celebrated as the "birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement", but there is -such- a separation in cultures; everything is VERY black and white! There is definately a white aristocracy and general disregard for the majority of the city. There is sometimes a feel of "Southern hospitality" but a lot of the time you can't tell if it's just that fake southern facade that people put on often in the deep South. There is a lot of intolerance for anything distinctly "not Southern." The only things close to being diverse in this city are the Air Force bases, and they (the military personnel) usually stick together and treat the city as a temporary layover on the way to somewhere else. Looking for a decent place to live? You'll generally have to go east of Taylor Road (Exit 9 on I-85). Hope this helps.

[Comment on this Posting]

Appalling School System - 5/7/2006

The public school system is not a very good alternative in Montgomery. Due to the sociopolitical atmosphere in Montgomery, it is very unlikely to change anytime in the near future. Self-interested politicians (not an oxymoron in this case as most state and local politicians here practice a level of self indulgence and "untouchable" attitude than most places) and public apathy will continue to allow the situation to fester. The magnet schools do provide a reasonable option if your child is able to "test in," but, other than the Forest Avenue magnet school, they are not really any better than an average school in a decent public school system. Private schools are the choice de rigeur, but will cost you an average of 6,000 - 8,000 a year at today's costs.

[Comment on this Posting]

My home city. - 4/1/2006

I was born and raised in this city, so i would have to say that i love this city. I plan to stay here for the rest of my life.

[Comment on this Posting]

been around - 3/6/2006

growing community but no culture or things to do if you are single

[Comment on this Posting]