What's happening with Space Command
The move is happening in phases. As of September 2026, more than 140 uniformed and civilian personnel were already working at Redstone Arsenal, about 200 were expected by the end of 2026, and about half of the command's staff by 2028. Civilian employees moving from Colorado Springs have been offered relocation incentives.
Source: Alabama Political Reporter, September 8, 2026.
The trade: price and pace for drive time
Here's the honest version. Athens puts you about 30 minutes from Redstone. The Shoals is a little over an hour. In exchange, the Shoals had a median sales price of $269,450 in July 2026, compared with $319,000 in the Athens area and about $349,000 in Huntsville and Madison County.
If you work a hybrid schedule, or someone in your household works closer to home, that drive may matter less than the price. Drive the route at your real commute hour before you decide.
What the Shoals is like
The Shoals is four cities that run together along the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia. Florence is home to the University of North Alabama and a walkable downtown. Muscle Shoals is known around the world for its recording studios. Sheffield has a historic downtown on the bluffs above the river, and Tuscumbia is home to Helen Keller's birthplace, Ivy Green. Smaller towns like Killen, Rogersville and Russellville give you more room and more of a small town pace.
See this month's Shoals market numbers ↗
Buying from out of state
You can do most of the early work before you ever visit. Get pre-approved with a lender first so you know your number. VA loans are available to eligible veterans and service members and often need no down payment. Then we narrow down towns, I send you video tours of the homes worth seeing, and you plan one trip to see the finalists in person.
Read the step by step buyer guide ↗
Common questions
Is U.S. Space Command really moving to Huntsville?
Yes. U.S. Space Command headquarters is relocating from Colorado Springs to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. As of September 2026, more than 140 people were already working there, about 200 were expected by the end of 2026, and about half of the command's staff by 2028.
How far is the Shoals from Redstone Arsenal?
Plan on a little over an hour from Florence or Muscle Shoals, depending on where you live and which gate you use. Athens is closer, at roughly 30 minutes. Drive it at the hour you would actually commute before you decide.
How do home prices in the Shoals compare with Huntsville?
The median sales price in July 2026 was $269,450 in the Shoals, $319,000 in the Athens area, and about $349,000 in Huntsville and Madison County, based on local REALTOR association data. Medians describe the whole market, not any single home.
Can I use a VA loan to buy in the Shoals?
VA loans are available to eligible veterans and service members and often need no down payment. Your lender confirms eligibility and terms. Some areas around the Shoals may also qualify for USDA financing.
Can you help me buy before I move?
Yes. Many relocating buyers start with video tours and a lender pre-approval before they ever visit. Call or text Corey at (256) 284-0363 to talk through timing.
Home price figures are medians of closed sales reported by the Alabama Center for Real Estate (Shoals and Athens areas) and the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS (Huntsville and Madison County) for July 2026. They describe each market overall, not any specific home. Updated September 24, 2026.