Moving to Birmingham... (Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Homewood: apartment complexes, lofts, selling a house)

[rmcarter1033]

I am looking for some advice about the Birmingham area. I am getting married this summer and my husband and I will be moving to the Birmingham area at that time. He is going to medical school at UAB and I will be in school there as well. However, he will be in school for four years and I will be done in two and then working in Tuscaloosa after that. We were hoping to find a place near UAB but closer to the southwest part of town. We are young and don't have children but would like to be in a good area of town with established homes and good resell values. We know very little about Bham and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[vezz77]

Not knowing what type of price range you are looking at, here are some places to look (in no particular order):

Homewood - Good resale value, closest suburb to UAB, lots of younger couples live there, has a nice little downtown area of its own. If walkability is important to you, it can be done in the right area. Most of the homes were built in the 30s and 40s, and are almost all on the small side.

Highland Park/Forest Park - Lots of UAB students/residents/postdocs/faculty live here. Very close to UAB, and close to highway access for you to get to Tuscaloosa. Highland Park has more apartments, Forest Park has more single family houses. Both neighborhoods are historic and walkable. Forest Park has a wide range of house styles, from small bungalows to mansions. Resale may be less reliable than Homewood since the schools are Birmingham city schools, but it is still pretty good. I live here and really like it.

Southside/Five Points - Closest to UAB, has some of the oldest homes in the city as well as scattered apartment complexes. Five Points is a local entertainment destination and has the best restaurants in the city. Resale is less reliable than other areas unless you buy a townhouse (these are popular with grad students).

Downtown - If you are interested in living in a loft, now is the time to do it (no kids, no obligations). The Loft District (roughly, 2nd Ave S to 2nd Ave N) is really booming right now and it seems like new restaurants and bars are opening up every week. You can find lofts in really historic buildings that have typical loft features (high ceilings, exposed brick, etc), or more conventional apartments that have better amenities (pools, gyms, etc).

[bosshawk]

Forest Park, Highland Park

[MOONLIGHTING]

rmcarter1033 has the the whole line up down pat. I would say use those as a guide. I havent lived there in ages but I was born there and lived there for a good portion of my life. South west Bham is nicest part. I would start with Homewood. Also the Downtown area 5 Points is getting really trendy. That whole area I believe is in some sort of renaissance. There is a lot entertainment, clubs and restaurants in both of those areas. Don't much need a car either down there. Just park it and forget it. The downtown areas were once a dying shell of it self but its making a comeback. As people flee Atlanta I think Birmingham especially the downtown area will become the new hot spot of the South.

Roll Tide!

[bluebeard]

Houses in the southern parts of Birmingham city (as mentioned above) vs Homewood will be much cheaper. I also think they will hold their value quite well. This part is rising, and the prices should hold up as such. They are also currently much cheaper than Homewood, and one could walk/bike to UAB, so one might not need to buy a parking permit and save a bit on gas.
I like central parts of Homewood as well though. And as said, if you don't want so much house, Homewood might be better (although you'd probably be paying more to purchase that smaller house).
Almost all of the housing in Birmingham city (besides the aforementioned townhouses) in the area consists of beautiful old homes. Homewood has some pretty homes too, but they tend to be pricey. Most of the housing was built a bit later than in Bham (but is not new).

[MOONLIGHTING]

Homes in Birmingham in general are not new... I think where I lived by the airport and air national guard base those homes were built in the 70's and a very very few of them were constructed in the early 80's.

The rest are 50's and earlier. I think my neighborhood consisted of homes that dated back to the late 1880's. Most of which are currently being renovated and restored by the University of Auburn.

[newbamadoc]

My best friend is selling a house in Homewood right now for a great price. He is a surgery resident at UAB, but he is moving to New York to a specialty residency.

[rmcarter1033]

Thank you so much for all of the advice! I think this has really helped us narrow down some areas to check out. I really appreciate your quick and informative responses!

And newbamadock... could you tell me your friend's listing? I would love to look into it.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by MOONLIGHTING

Homes in Birmingham in general are not new... I think where I lived by the airport and air national guard base those homes were built in the 70's and a very very few of them were constructed in the early 80's.

The rest are 50's and earlier. I think my neighborhood consisted of homes that dated back to the late 1880's. Most of which are currently being renovated and restored by the University of Auburn.

As you posted earlier - you have not lived there for a while. The area around the airport is not exactly what a young professional couple wants to target.

[MOONLIGHTING]

Originally Posted by Threestep

As you posted earlier - you have not lived there for a while. The area around the airport is not exactly what a young professional couple wants to target.

Thats funny... Cos I don't remember saying that. I was just conversing. Stating that there is a large stock of Old Homes. I wouldn't recommend anyone living near there. Its loud!!! F-16s flying overhead no thanks! My father was stationed there so thats why I lived there.

CD really has some annoying posters who seem to always seek out controversy.