Farley-Oakhurst Place - Huntsville, AL Area Guide

Considered the birthplace of Alabama, Madison County has long been a place with strong economic roots in both agriculture and the textile industry. The land that now houses Farley-Oakhurst Place was once fertile farmland where cotton farms flourished. Most residential developments were built here between the 1960s and 1990s as tens of thousands of people moved into the area because of jobs relating to the space industry.

No museums, art galleries or theaters lie in Farley-Oakhurst Place, but many can be found in Huntsville. The Huntsville Museum of Art features vintage and modern paintings, sculptures and jewelry. Science fanatics love a day trip to the United States Space and Rocket Center. This museum houses interactive exhibits explaining the history and mechanics behind space flight. The Monte Sano Arts Festival takes places at Monte Sano State Park annually in September and provides visitors a peek at the local arts scene.

Restaurants catering to those seeking casual meals and fast food line Memorial Parkway Southwest and Highway 431. A vast majority of the dining options include fast food, including Hardees, Subway and Burger King. However, a small handful of quality local restaurants continue to impress area residents. Memorial Parkway Southwest houses two wonderful restaurants. The Peppered Pig, a highly popular food truck, serves hearty and affordable sandwiches and burgers. The burgers come prepared with 100 percent Angus beef on a buttered bun. Order a loaded one, and be prepared for a mouthful of beef, cheese, roasted garlic mayo, mustard, grilled chopped onion, scallions, tomato, sweet and spicy pickles and lettuce. The side dishes, especially the macaroni and cheese, perfectly complement one of these hearty sandwiches. Specials are advertised weekly on its website. Right down the street sits El Herradura. Preparing authentic Mexican cuisine, El Herradura features specials, including the pollo mexicana. This dish comes served with citrus-marinated chicken and grilled vegetables. The Chile Colorado has also become a diner favorite. GrandMother's House, to the east of Farley-Oakhurst Place, serves scrumptious country fare in a very comfortable atmosphere. Diners regularly come back to GrandMother's House for hearty rib-eye steaks and fried catfish. Although only open for lunch on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday as well as dinner on Friday and Saturday, GrandMother's House truly provides the best quality food and service available. Everything on the menu tastes extraordinarily homemade and good, but best bets include the blackened catfish and BBQ pork ribs. Don't forget to cap the meal off with a slice of coconut pecan cake. Farley-Oakhurst Place locals must drive closer to the city to find plentiful bar and nightlife options. A few establishments sit close to home, including Highway Haven Sports Bar on Highway 431 South and Bandito Southside on Memorial Parkway Southwest. Choices open up exponentially with a quick 10-minute drive north to Huntsville. Popular bars, nightclubs and music venues include Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Fubar and Below the Radar Brewhouse. Many live theatrical performances and music acts play at the Von Braun Center on Monroe Street Southwest.

Residents overwhelmingly commute to work by car or carpooling. Walking and biking to amenities remains uncommon in this area because of its isolation, but most residents enjoy a leisurely stroll along the neighborhood streets. Drivers use either Highway 431 or Highway 231 to reach downtown Huntsville. From downtown, drivers can merge onto I-565.

Bus service does not operate as far south as Farley-Oakhurst. However, individuals with disabilities can call the Handi-Ride service to schedule door-to-door pickup Monday through Friday. Visitors may park along residential streets. Some taxi companies may operate in Farley-Oakhurst, but residents should call ahead to reserve a ride. Uber does not provide service in Huntsville.

Residents frequent the many parks in and around Farley-Oakhurst Place. The beautiful Tennessee River and Aldridge Creek run through the community, and they host a number of large, family-friendly parks along their shores. The paved Tennessee River Greenway meanders along the river and Aldridge Creek, providing residents a great place to take a stroll or quick job with the family and dogs. Park at the Ditto Landing boat launch, and follow the trail 1 mile to the Madison County Marina.

Green Mountain Park and Madison County Nature Trail sit to the east of the creek, featuring 72-acres of open land, wooded forest and walking paths. The lake, pavilion and chapel can host a wedding or other special event. Most of Huntsville's 60 parks do not charge an entrance fee, but additional costs may apply if visitors rent picnic shelters and athletic fields.

Huntsville's Parks and Recreation department and the Huntsville Arts Council host Concerts in the Park. This 10-week event showcases 19 bands and food vendors at Big Spring Park. No admission charges apply, and all of its events are family-oriented.

The cost of living in Farley-Oakhurst Place mirrors the rest of Huntsville. Residents pay 16 percent less in housing costs throughout Huntsville than compared with the national average. Renters living in a one-bedroom apartment pay around $533 per month. Patrons frequenting local bars and restaurants should expect to pay $4 for a pint of imported or local beer. Gas prices lie 6 percent below the national average.

Like most other amenities found in Farley-Oakhurst Place, a majority of the shopping centers and speciality stores line that residents frequent tend to lie along Highway 431 and Memorial Parkway. A surprising number of small, locally-owned stores set up along these corridors next to larger retailers such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree.

Pet-lovers, especially those interested in birds, flock to Tweety Bird Aviary to find their next feathered friend. Tweety Bird's management prides themselves on breeding and weaning both common and rare bird species in a humane and ethical way. The birds available for purchase have been fed a special diet by the devoted staff. Those interested in bringing one of these beautiful birds home appreciate the selection of birds and the care provided to them at Tweety Bird Aviary.

Old Vienna Bakery lies to the east along Highway 431 in New Hope, and it has become one of Huntsville's most well-known bakeries. Although they specialize in customized wedding cakes, everything on the menu tastes and looks divine. Cakes come beautifully and tastefully decorated. Other tasty desserts sold at Old Vienna include cookies and mini-cakes. The Parkway Place Mall, situated north of Farley-Oakhurst Place, has become one of the top places in Huntsville to purchase from upscale, name-brand retailers.

Locals have many grocery store options when the time comes to fill the pantry. Publix, Walmart Supercenter and Aldi all lie to the west along or near Memorial Parkway Southwest. Residents living toward the eastern side of Farley-Oakhurst Place can easily reach a Walmart and Piggly Wiggly along Highway 431. One of Huntsville's most popular outdoor farmers markets, the Greene Street Market at Nativity runs on Thursdays from May through October. The indoor market store remains open Monday through Friday and on Sunday mornings.