[Epidemiologist]

I've been an Alabama resident for only two years, and I rarely strayed from Birmingham where I just finished my masters degree. As much as I have enjoyed that city, I am moving to Montgomery in August to work with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area, so I'd like some suggestions regarding where to live. All I need is a one bedroom apartment or something similar. As far as geographic preference goes, I'd like to live either in Prattville/Millbrook due to the proximity to Birmingham (where my girlfriend will still be living), near the RSA tower downtown (because that's where ADPH is), or in the Garden District/Cloverdale-Idlewild/Old Cloverdale areas (based upon good things I've heard).

So...
1. Does anybody have any comments, positive or negative, about the areas I described above?
2. Does anybody have any suggestions or recommendations for apartments in any of the above areas?

All help is appreciated,

JLT

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by Epidemiologist

I've been an Alabama resident for only two years, and I rarely strayed from Birmingham where I just finished my masters degree. As much as I have enjoyed that city, I am moving to Montgomery in August to work with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area, so I'd like some suggestions regarding where to live. All I need is a one bedroom apartment or something similar. As far as geographic preference goes, I'd like to live either in Prattville/Millbrook due to the proximity to Birmingham (where my girlfriend will still be living), near the RSA tower downtown (because that's where ADPH is), or in the Garden District/Cloverdale-Idlewild/Old Cloverdale areas (based upon good things I've heard).

So...
1. Does anybody have any comments, positive or negative, about the areas I described above?
2. Does anybody have any suggestions or recommendations for apartments in any of the above areas?

All help is appreciated,

JLT

Montgomery has a forum. You will get more help there.
There aren't many people from Montgomery in this forum.

[Epidemiologist]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Montgomery has a forum. You will get more help there.
There aren't many people from Montgomery in this forum.

Thanks for the tip. Would you mind telling me exactly what this Montgomery forum is called? I'm assuming you're not referring to a thread on City-Data.

[MullinsCurve]

You're going to have difficulties finding a place downtown (not impossible, just difficult). Old Cloverdale has apartments that you might want if you are looking for the feel of old style living. Most apartments\duplexes\quadraplexes there will be 40-80 years old or older, so don't rent anything sight unseen. The Garden District has crime problems, although I-65 does make it harder for the thugs to get there, some still lurk about.

Prattville and Millbrook are good places to look at. Even though they are close together, they are different, with Prattville being more urban and Millbrook more rural.

[gkrb]

old cloverdale is a great area with much character but like the last poster said, there are very old buildings so you actually need to drive around the area and look for yourself. There is a central area on Fairview near Huntingdon College that has businesses and restaurants/bars for play. It is the only thing comparable to birmingham's five points south area. The problem with cloverdale is that while it is a very charming area, pretty much everything else surrounding it is not so desirable. Prattville is a great option as it is a safe area and has many shopping options and restaurants, while mostly chain. Milbrook? hmmm...while it is growing i don't think it is anywhere near caught up with Prattville. I think the nicest apartment complex prattville has to offer is located behind the super wal mart.
I guess you can think of it this way...First, scale everything down, then compare to birmingham... Prattville is comparable to the nicer areas of Hoover, Cloverdale is comparable to highland area of southside. One is close to downtown, One requires jumping on the freeway to get to downtown. thats the best i can do