Reviews & Comments
Montgomery, AL
Black hole! -
5/9/2006Montgomery 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.
Auburn, AL
Typical small southern college town -
5/9/2006I'll start by saying that the school system is supposedly "top-notch," but some people I've met who grew up and went to school here (recently) say differently. They say there is a lot of fighting and drug use going on in the high school, though I would suspect it's just as much as what is going on in every other public school in America. Crime in the city itself is pretty much non-existent, though. The whole town revolves around Auburn University - nothing, and I mean nothing, happens that doesn't involve the school in some way. If you're over the age of 22, you might as well be a senior citizen because that's how you'll feel. Everyone is so young and they can certainly act their age. I could see this as being a great city for raising a family, if you're not big on diversity. Just your average southern college town. There is not really an acknowledgment of the world outside of Auburn. Actually, now that I think about it, it's like all the country/hicksville people from all the other small towns in east Alabama and west Georgia who decided to go to college ALL came together in Auburn, AL. As soon as school lets out, Auburn becomes a ghost-town until the next school semester starts again. I need more to do! I need to be around older people! I, personally, can't wait to get out in the next year.