Brimingham Area Towns (Birmingham, Huntsville, Hoover: real estate, renting, lofts)

[catom]

I'm moving to Birmingham (for a job in the downtown area) this spring and am looking for a town that is laid back and diverse. I would also like to live near the water if possible. I visited this past weekend and found the towns so segregated. I don't want to live in a town with a lot of traffic. I was considering Trussville but the traffic was a nightmare! I liked the feel of Vestavia and Homewood. I also like the location of Leeds. I am planning on renting for the first year until I know the area better. Any information on the bus system? I really don't want to fight downtown traffic everyday.

Thanks, Catherine

[NCKatie]

Birmingham is lacking in public transportation. The best area for your laid back and diverse feel would be Homewood in my opinion. "On the curve" in Homewood, even though the curve has been straightened out now, is an excellent place to unwind after work. That used to be one of our favorite things to do after work. We would go to the coffee shop, or have a pizza next door, then mosey on down to the Laser's Edge for a new CD. They have excellent selections there on music. Across the street is Homewood Hobby and there are many boutiques to pilfer through.

On July 4th they close that street in the evening for the fireworks show downtown Birmingham. In my, and many other's, opinion it's the best place around to view the fireworks. A perfect view of Vulcun (Moon over Homewood) and the fireworks make for a great photo.

Vestavia is much more busy. With Highway 31 running through the city, it's a never ending stream of traffic. It's a beautiful area with very desirable neighborhoods and great schools. If schools are an issue I would seriously consider Vestavia.

Leeds is much further out than either of the other two with a small town feel and small town schools. It all depends on what you would like but if I were considering Homewood or Vestavia, Leeds would not be in the running. There is no comparison.

[Criss1956]

Originally Posted by catom

I'm moving to Birmingham (for a job in the downtown area) this spring and am looking for a town that is laid back and diverse. I would also like to live near the water if possible. I visited this past weekend and found the towns so segregated. I don't want to live in a town with a lot of traffic. I was considering Trussville but the traffic was a nightmare! I liked the feel of Vestavia and Homewood. I also like the location of Leeds. I am planning on renting for the first year until I know the area better. Any information on the bus system? I really don't want to fight downtown traffic everyday.

Thanks, Catherine

I grew up in Birmingham and can tell you that it is more segregated now than ever before. If you are rich and white, you live in Mountain Brook. Mid income: Vestavia, Homewood, Hoover. Leeds is growing and getting more expensive.
As far as I know, there are no "diverse" areas. It's either all Black or all White. If it is mixed, chances are the Whites are trying to move away.
If you want to live in the country, try Pell City or Ashville oron up 411 past Moody.

[Gaia]

I live in a very diverse neighborhood NE of downtown Birmingham off 20/59. The area code is 35206. North addresses are mainly african-american, but South adresses. I.E. 8300 3rd Ave. S. (as opposed to 3rd Ave. N.) are mixed racially, culturally, some gay/, etc, etc.. Mainly between 80th and 85th and South 1st through 5th are reasonly priced homes in quiet neighborhood. Lower numbers increasingly black, higher numbers increasingly white. For instance, 4th ave and 86th St. South homes going @ $20,000 more than one block West. 88th and 4th Ave S. is or is near Roebuck, high priced larger homes starting @ $40,000 more. I really enjoy this area. Close to interstate and shopping areas, but not too close. I'd suggest not buying on the main streets directly, such as 4th ave S. One block North on 3rd has less traffic and more "isolated" feel. I hope this helps!

[atropa]

Originally Posted by catom

I'm moving to Birmingham (for a job in the downtown area) this spring and am looking for a town that is laid back and diverse. I would also like to live near the water if possible. I visited this past weekend and found the towns so segregated. I don't want to live in a town with a lot of traffic. I was considering Trussville but the traffic was a nightmare! I liked the feel of Vestavia and Homewood. I also like the location of Leeds. I am planning on renting for the first year until I know the area better. Any information on the bus system? I really don't want to fight downtown traffic everyday.

Thanks, Catherine

If you wanted to live in the city, I would say definitely Southside. Some of the new money crowd are moving in and fixing it up. Lots of different types of people there, and the Five Points area is great. As far as schools, I would go with private if you live in that area. Great place! Stay away from North, East, and Westside though. Unless you work in the downtown area. There are also some cool lofts and such directly in the downtown area.

[gawhitlow]

Recently I visited some friends who had a camp on the Warrior River. It was so green hilly beautiful sereene. One of the most beautiful places i have ever been. I saw several notes in stores along the river camps to buy or rent. They were very reasonable. You will need a boat. You can feed the deer from your bedroom window.

[lookingtomove24]

Gaia, You are a Godsend!!!! Wow! $40,000?!!!!!! Even I can afford THAT!!!! Goodness!!!! Wowza! If you happen to be a real estate agent or have a friend who is one, I'm willing to work through you! Sounds like an area I'd really enjoy living in. I can't imagine separating myself from real people and real life. Yes, I happen to be "white" But, I've never ever thought myself better or superior or different then anyone else. Except that I don't tan, I "Pinkify" LOL But, who cares? I don't. Up here you're lucky to find anything decent for under -and I may be wrong but like $200,000? Average cost can easily be $300,00 for nothing special. Gaia, you have given me hope!! yeah!

[lookingtomove24]

P.S. Gaia or anyone, out of curiosity....... What does it mean if you live in Moulton? Do you have to have money?

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by lookingtomove24

P.S. Gaia or anyone, out of curiosity....... What does it mean if you live in Moulton? Do you have to have money?

LOLOL!!! Are you SURE you're not a troll?????
Moulton is NOWHERE NEAR Birmingham. Moulton is in North Alabama, about 50 miles west of Huntsville and south of the Tennessee River (hint: get a map). Moulton is a town of about 3,000 people and is very rural. There is a thread on the forum about Moulton. Use the search function and find it.

[lookingtomove24]

No, I'm not a troll. which by the way is what? I know what a lurker is. But not a troll. So, 50 miles? Up here we don't consider that a far ride at all. Manhattan is only 90 minutes or so. No Biggie. So many of us do that twice a day. Not myself but.... I had a friend drive up 5 hours to see me last summer with her 3 daughters. I'd have taken a bus or train but she drove.

So 50 miles to visit isn't too big.

However, I can be flexible where I live. Postal Service, Food store, Library(within 50 miles! wink wink) A vet is necessary, a hospital, police, Netflix, Don't need T.V., Hi speed computer service, phone service, Indoor Plumbing!!!!, Electricity, clean place, reasonably safe and I'm a happy camper.

Although, one condition is that the farther away from my biological family the better. Yeah, we may love each other but doesn't mean we like each other. A shame but that is life. Yeah, they still reach me by phone but, oh well.