$286,431Average Value$172Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Salem offers a reprieve from city living
The verdant Salem landscape has nurtured many of the same families for generations. "It's a very generational place," says Realtor Elaine LeFevre with Century 21 Prestige. "People who live there have done so for a very long time." While homes and land are slowly coming onto the market, more buyers are looking to escape city life and enjoy the peace that country living provides. Residents can access amenities or commute to work in nearby Athens and Huntsville, but, according to LeFevre, most don't travel there for entertainment. "You can go into the city, but most people are living here because they don't want to go into the city," LeFevre says. "They want to relax." With all the outdoor recreation surrounding the community, there's plenty to enjoy in Salem.
Salem's homes rarely hit the market
Salem provides buyers with space to build a home, own horses, plant gardens or even row crops. And space means quiet and privacy. Most homes have good-sized acreage featuring rolling hills, woodsy hollows and scenic creeks. Homes don’t enter the market very often, but those that do are usually ranch-style homes or farmhouses with Cape Cod or Craftsman-inspired exteriors. Homes typically list between $275,000 and $625,000.
West Limestone County Schools and nearby higher ed
West Limestone County Schools serves families in Salem, starting with Sugar Creek Elementary, which earns an overall B rating from Niche. The school serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade five. West Limestone High serves grades six through 12 and earns a B-minus rating. The high school pairs with Calhoun Community College and the University of North Alabama to offer students college credit classes. The school’s career and technical education program also provides pathways such as engineering, agriscience and graphic arts.
Hunting, fishing and hiking near the Tennessee River
Salem residents are close to trails, preserves and rec spaces, such as Joe Wheeler State Park. The expansive park sits on the Tennessee River and offers 16 miles of trails, a swimming beach, a disc golf course and a boat launch to get out on the river for fishing or waterskiing. Near Richland Creek, there's a small boat launch close to the Easter Ferry Hunting Preserve. The Marbut's Bend Trail is near the creek, offering a wildlife-rich wooden boardwalk leading to a serene fishing pier. "Fishing and hunting are definitely big here, but most people just like to get outside, sit on a truck bed and hang out with their friends," LeFevre says. One of the closest public playgrounds is Robert Trinnon Park in Athens, 13 miles away, which also has athletic fields and picnic tables.
Buck Island Road has community amenities and connects to Athens
A few small dining and retail options are available on Buck Island Road, including Dollar General, the Salem Pharmacy and Christo's Dari-Delite. This old-fashioned walk-up restaurant offers comfort food like burgers and milkshakes. Residents must go into a larger community like Athens for more amenities. Around Highway 72 are big box and grocery stores like Walmart, Fresh Value and Publix. Restaurants like Ro's Grille and Lucia's Cocina Mexicana offer more dining options. For more extensive commercial options, residents can visit Florence, 40 miles away or Huntsville, 50 miles away. Florence has many shops, restaurants and big box stores, like Target. Huntsville has more dining, retail and entertainment. Residents can go to Bridge Street Town Center for shopping, downtown for bars and eateries or Von Braun Center for monster truck rallies and concerts.
Residents can commute to Athens, Florence or Huntsville
Buck Island Road and Easter Ferry Road are Salem's main thoroughfares, connecting residents to Interstate 65, about 20 miles away in Athens. Highway 72 is also about 20 miles from Salem, which brings residents to Florence and Huntsville. Public transportation is not available in Salem. Northwest Alabama Regional Airport and Huntsville International Airport serve the area and are both about 45 miles from Salem. The closest medical center is Athens Limestone Hospital, 14 miles away. The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Salem, Athens sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Salem, Athens over the last 12 months is $392,500, up 54% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Smoky Mountain setting! This home is situated on a very private 4 acre tract surrounded by natural wooded beauty. Inside, it is ready for renovation and features a unique master bedroom, separate dining room, large den / family room, and covered porches.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
