Moving to Birmingham (Hoover, Homewood, Mountain Brook: appointed, transplants, crime)

[topstar]

I'm moving to Birmingham soon and want to know what neighborhoods I should NOT move into. Where is the most crime, the most drugs, etc...

I want to live in Birmingham but it seems that all I can find is people telling me to move out of the city.

[Twostep]

It all depends on what you are looking for and what your budget looks like. Do not forget the commute-factor. Birmingham's traffic can be intimidating. Give us some details and you will get suggestions :>)

[highlandtodd]

Forest Park, Highland Park, Crestwood, South Eastlake, South Roebuck, South Avondale, Five Points South/Glen Iris, and Redmont Park are all EXCELLENT Birmingham neighborhoods. You've got to realize people in metro Birmingham can't stand urbanism, as suburbia and cookie-cutter generica absolutely rule supreme here. To be an individual in Birmingham isn't always a good thing...that's why 5 Pts. S. is the bohemia capital of Alabama...our very quiet answer to King's Row in London. The above neighborhoods survived the 1960's & 1970's white flight, and are very pleasant, sophisticated, inner-city neighborhoods. People here would rush to them if they only knew how fabulous they really are. That's why most of those areas are inhabited by transplants!!!

[pablobee]

Originally Posted by topstar

I'm moving to Birmingham soon and want to know what neighborhoods I should NOT move into. Where is the most crime, the most drugs, etc...

I want to live in Birmingham but it seems that all I can find is people telling me to move out of the city.

I would tell you the same. Live in the suburbs, not in the city. Birmingham is a good place to work and do your business but not that good as a residence. Most have migrated toward the south and east of Birmingham.

Also, that "white flight" thing that I'm sure you've heard of is still very much in progress especially in many of the west and northwest suburbs.

[t98234]

Originally Posted by highlandtodd

Forest Park, Highland Park, Crestwood, South Eastlake, South Roebuck, South Avondale, Five Points South/Glen Iris, and Redmont Park are all EXCELLENT Birmingham neighborhoods. You've got to realize people in metro Birmingham can't stand urbanism, as suburbia and cookie-cutter generica absolutely rule supreme here. To be an individual in Birmingham isn't always a good thing...that's why 5 Pts. S. is the bohemia capital of Alabama...our very quiet answer to King's Row in London. The above neighborhoods survived the 1960's & 1970's white flight, and are very pleasant, sophisticated, inner-city neighborhoods. People here would rush to them if they only knew how fabulous they really are. That's why most of those areas are inhabited by transplants!!!

Excellent reply! The Southside rules! You have all kinds of people living here and it is close to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There are rich people, poor people, white, African-Americans, Asians, gay and straight, all kinds of religions from conservative Protestants, Mennonites, Jewish, Catholic, Lebanese Catholics, High and Low Episcopalians, Silkes, Greek Orthodox--you name it and we got it!

It is a beautiful place to live!

[Socal2Bham]

Originally Posted by highlandtodd

Forest Park, Highland Park, Crestwood, South Eastlake, South Roebuck, South Avondale, Five Points South/Glen Iris, and Redmont Park are all EXCELLENT Birmingham neighborhoods. You've got to realize people in metro Birmingham can't stand urbanism, as suburbia and cookie-cutter generica absolutely rule supreme here. To be an individual in Birmingham isn't always a good thing...that's why 5 Pts. S. is the bohemia capital of Alabama...our very quiet answer to King's Row in London. The above neighborhoods survived the 1960's & 1970's white flight, and are very pleasant, sophisticated, inner-city neighborhoods. People here would rush to them if they only knew how fabulous they really are. That's why most of those areas are inhabited by transplants!!!

Ditto all of the above! I'm a Southern Californian transplant and most of those are my favorite neighborhoods. I lived in Forest Park when I first moved here and I LOVE it. Course I don't have kids so where I live is not ruled by the school systems which is why it seems most families migrate to what I call the "colony" type living, that and it seems the need to be part of some kind of flock is the prevailing mindset here. Everyone with their matching mailboxes and matching SUV's parking the their driveway.

It just depends on the kind of atmosphere you are looking for. Unfortunately the coolness of the more diverse and 'bohemian' areas downtown may come at a price of more drug/crime activity.

[Sinkbean]

I currently live in Forest Park and I'll have to agree it's great! I did live in Crestwood for years and I have a child. We were lucky enough to get him into Epic Elementary, the only Birmingham City magnet school, and it's terrific. However, if he hadn't got in there, we would have had to send him to a private school, because the school system as a whole sucks big time.

If you don't have kids or have the money to put them in private school (Altamont is a good one) then move into any of the afore mentioned neighborhoods and you won't be disappointed.

[marcoon]

Originally Posted by topstar

I'm moving to Birmingham soon and want to know what neighborhoods I should NOT move into. Where is the most crime, the most drugs, etc...

I want to live in Birmingham but it seems that all I can find is people telling me to move out of the city.

To directly answer the question you asked: You do NOT want to live on the west side i.e. Ensley, Fairfield, West End, Powderly, etc. or in Norwood/North Birmingham. I would have to agree with those people who are telling you not to move into the city limits of Birmingham. Try outskirts like Hoover, Vestavia, Homewood, Trussville, McCalla, Pinson.

[treetopgirl]

I live on the Cahaba River in Leeds, Alabama. If you like the sound of gurgling water you will like this place. There is a canoe and kayaking club and they have a lot of fun here.

There are species of snapper turtles native to the Cahaba. The "mama" turtles grow quite large, and in Spring they crawl onto the banks and lay their eggs.

This area is near the cafe made famous by the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. Most people agree that it is the Irondale Cafe in Irondale, Alabama that was the Whistlestop Cafe in the film.

The trains run near here, and if you are a rail fan this is the place for you.

We are about 10 miles from downtown Birmingham.

[NewToBHM]

We just moved to Birmingham from AR and bought a house in Crestwood. I love living so close to EVERYTHING! Our options were a little limited in 1) we don't have much money 2) we wanted to live close to UAB. It takes my husband about 8 minutes to get to work and he only has to buy gas every three weeks!

Forest Park, Highland Park, Crestwood, South Eastlake, South Roebuck, South Avondale, Five Points South/Glen Iris, and Redmont Park are all EXCELLENT Birmingham neighborhoods.

I love this area of town. They have so much character and uniqueness. I am so glad we didn't move to one of the suburbs. I am 5 minutes from the Mountain Brook villages, 10 minutes from Homewood, 10 minutes from 5 Points. It is great. Sure there are some sketchy areas around, but I really never feel unsafe.