Redstone Arsenal
Key Contacts
Hunt Military Communities
302 Hughes Drive
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35808
PH: (256) 430-1517
School Support Services
3443 Aerobee Road
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
PH: (256) 842-9642
Army Community Service
3443 Aerobee Road
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
PH: (256) 876-5397
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time frame.
About Redstone Arsenal
“. . . future home to the United States Space Command .”
Redstone Arsenal (RSA) is a United States Army post in Huntsville, Alabama. The Arsenal is a garrison for various tenants across the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and NASA.
Under the Department of Defense, Redstone Arsenal is home to the Missile Defense Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and Missile and Space Intelligence Center. It is the future home of the United States Space Command.
United States Army tenant units include Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Army Materiel Command, Army Aviation and Missile Command, Army Contracting Command, Army Security Assistance Command, Army Engineering and Support Center, Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, Logistics Data Analysis Center (LDAC), Redstone Test Center, PEO Aviation, PEO Missiles, and Space.
Additionally, NASA hosts Blue Origin and the Marshall Space Flight Center. In contrast, the Department of Justice hosts several arms of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives at Redstone Arsenal.
The current population of Redstone Arsenal includes 850 active duty personnel, 15,000 retirees and their family members, and 35,000 Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.
About Madison County
LOCATION
Redstone Arsenal is located in Madison County in Northern Alabama. Huntsville earned it's nickname "Rocket City" by being home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command. A medium-sized suburban city, the Huntsville area offers plenty of opportunities for building community and many conveniences of living for those stationed there. Service members and families can enjoy shopping, dining, and many outdoor recreational activities year-round.
HELPFUL HINTS
Madison County is considered to be a low-cost-of-living area compared to the rest of the United States. Commute times, schools, and accessibility of restaurants and shopping should be considered when choosing a neighborhood and its proximity to Redstone Arsenal.
ATTRACTIONS
For those traveling in and out of the Huntsville area by air, there is a local international airport (HSV). Other nearby airports include the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), nearly two hours to the northeast, and the Nashville International Airport (BNA) around two hours directly north. Redstone Arsenal is convenient to many nearby cities of interest. Atlanta, Georgia, is three hours to the east and the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches are just a bit over a five-hour drive south.
WEATHER
Redstone Arsenal is generally a warm and sunny place to live. The most pleasant months of the year for Madison County are April, May, and October, with high temperatures in the range of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. August is the hottest month for Madison County, with an average high temperature of 90, which ranks it as cooler than most places in Alabama. January is the snowiest month in Madison County, with 0.7 inches of snow, and one month of the year has significant snowfall. The most uncomfortably humid months are June, July, and August.
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Nearby Neighborhoods
ON-POST HOUSING
Hunt Military Communities manage homes on Redstone Arsenal. Redstone Family Housing comprises seven vibrant communities encompassing 352 traditional and renovated homes. Residents have access to schools within the Huntsville City School District, a community center, planned resident events, and walkable neighborhoods with easy access to picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, sports courts, and tot lots.
OFF-POST HOUSING
Additionally, many service families choose to reside in several off-post communities. The top three most popular areas off-post include Huntsville, Madison, and Meridianville. Each area has its own unique appeal, with all three communities touting excellent public schools and job opportunities.
Huntsville
ABOUT
Known for its convenience to base, bustling commerce, nightlife, and diversity of home types, Huntsville is one of the top areas many military families choose to call home at Redstone Arsenal.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Mountain Brook
- Medical District
- Five Points
- Grifs Glen
Nearby Attractions
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center
- Huntsville Botanical Garden
- Monte Sano State Park
- Burritt on the Mountain
- Bridge Street Town Centre
By the Numbers
- Population 215,000
- Household Income $54,300
- Median Home Value Home values change rapidly in this market, so ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Home of the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Alabama A & M University
- 6-mile, 15-minute commute to Redstone Arsenal via Holmes Avenue NW
Things to Consider
- Traffic and congestion to and from Redstone Arsenal at peak commute times
- Established neighborhoods with homes that may require updating and maintenance
Madison
ABOUT
If you’re looking for a small-town feel with the perks of excellent public schools and shopping conveniences like Target, movie theaters, and restaurants, look no further than Madison.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Clift Farm
- Town Madison
- Monrovia
- Clayton’s Cove
Nearby Attractions
- Rainbow Mountain Trails
- Insanity Skate Park
- Rocket Republic Brewing
- Madison City Farmer’s Market
By the Numbers
- Population 56,900
- Household Income $99,000
- Median Home Value Home values change rapidly in this market, so ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Sparse suburban feel with lots of area parks and well-regarded public schools
- Griffon Aerospace and Intergraph Corporation are some of Madison’s most prominent tech employers
Things to Consider
- A high percentage of newly built homes with ongoing construction
- 10-mile, 19-minute commute to Redstone Arsenal via I-565 E
Meridianville
ABOUT
If you’re looking to distinguish between work and home life, look no further than the quiet, rural setting in Meridianville.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Pikes Ridge
- Laurel Bend
- Brier Creek
- Bainbridge
Nearby Attractions
- Tate Farms
- Colonial Golf Course
- Fox Run Golf Course
By the Numbers
- Population 8,200
- Household Income $80,500
- Median Home Value Home values change rapidly in this market, so ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Sparse rural feel with plenty of wide-open spaces
- No traffic or congestion
- Well-regarded public schools
Things to Consider
- Limited nightlife, arts, and culture scenes; most restaurants are of the mom-and-pop variety
- 18-mile, 26-minute commute to Redstone Arsenal via AL 255 S
7 Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Home
1. TAX ADVANTAGES
To encourage homeownership, the IRS has provided many tax breaks for owning a home. Credits may be available for specific home improvements, such as using clean energy or for qualified first-time home buyers. The way most homeowners see those advantages is through income tax itemization and deductions like mortgage interest and real estate taxes.
2. STABALIZE MONTHLY HOME COSTS
Owning your own house is one of the safest bets on stabilizing your monthly home costs. There’s no worry of rent getting increased significantly after each year of living in someone else’s home. Additionally, when you answer to yourself, there is no worry of landlord changes or unexpected lease termination.
3. HOUSE HACKING
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
4. Increased Privacy
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
5. Pets Are Welcome!
For those who choose to rent instead of buying, it can be extremely difficult to find rentals who allow for your
four-legged, furry friends. Landlords often require hefty pet deposits or place heavy restrictions on the number of pets and breeds they allow—if they will even allow pets. When considering quality of life, including beloved pets and the indoor and outdoor space available to them matters. Having the flexibility to include ALL members of your family as a homeowner is priceless!
6. Pride of Ownership
One of the greatest benefits of owning your own home is the pride of ownership that comes along with it. Not only are homeowners more inclined to take good care of their investment with routine maintenance and cleaning, but also they are free to make design choices ranging from hanging artwork on the walls, to paint colors, to customization of closets, electronics, and more. As military families who relocate frequently, having your home reflect who you really are feels important.
7. Safe and Stable Long Term Investment + Forced Savings
Owning a home has historically been one of the safest, lowest risk financial investments that tends to have long-term stability and success. As your home value appreciates and your mortgage balance decreases, what’s left is growing equity with an eventual paid off home. Making a monthly house payment is akin to setting aside a specific amount each month into a savings account—it’s a little difficult to access in the moment, but over time it can build into something significant in the form of equity.
FIVE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR RELOCATION PROCESS
Your PCS is underway!
The home buying and moving transition process has begun. Now what? If it feels like there are a million things to do, don’t fret because you don’t have to do them all yourself. During the relocation process, there are many service providers that can assist you in making your move a smooth one.
Consider these five resources to help you in the process
1. MOVING COMPANIES
Sure, the military offers transportation and relocation services, but many service members decide to coordinate the transfer of household goods themselves. Not only can you often earn money on the difference between moving costs and weight allowances, but you can be assured that you have more control over your belongings. Services that moving companies offer can range from delivery of boxes and pods for the “you-pack” model all the way to full-service logistics companies that will do all of the packing, loading, driving, and unpacking for you.
2. STORAGE
Whether you need to store your household goods for a few weeks until you close on your home or you decide that you have more stuff than square footage, storage companies abound. Sizes, conditions, and contracts vary widely so be sure to do your homework before you commit. Particularly in climates with extreme cold, heat, or humidity, it is important to consider using only climate-controlled storage to ensure the protection of your furniture and temporarily unused items.
3. TEMPORARY HOUSING
It is not uncommon for there to be a short gap of time during a military move between when you arrive at your new duty station and your new home being available to inhabit. No longer are hotels the only option for sticking out a few days or weeks during the wait. Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb are great options to make you feel more at home while you wait for your home. In fact, why not take advantage of seeing your new city through the eyes of a tourist? Find a location near new local attractions and dining and enjoy a few days of getting to know the lay of the land.
4. USPS/IRS
Once you get settled in at your new home, it’s important that you alert agencies that will make sure your current and up-to-date address is on file. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are two of the most important and by doing so, any important mail or documents in your name should be forwarded or sent along to your new address. It’s also a good idea to notify banks, credit card companies, and other debt collectors of a change of address. These days nearly all of these transactions can be handled online.
5. DISCARD & DONATE SERVICES
No matter how much you purge, toss, organize, minimize, or donate before you pack up the moving truck, it never fails that after you get unpacked on the other side there seems to be more stuff to declutter. Discard and donate services can help with this. Many are a phone call away and will happily come to your residence for a pickup. Others are structured where you simply drop off at a store. A lot of these services are charitable organizations and will offer you documentation for your own taxes based on your donation. It’s a win-win: you downsize by donating, and someone else benefits from your use of your items.
