Safe? 5 Points/Southside/UAB Area (Hoover, Trussville: apartment, to rent, house prices)

[JustMeInBrandon]

Hi. Possibly moving back to B'ham. Grown kids so no school issues. Wondering about 5 Points/Southside/UAB area. Back in the day, those places were kinda scary and filled with crime. Has it changed that much? What areas on southside/UAB area would you stay away from?

We're looking to rent first but would like to rent a house, not apartment. Do you think you could get a 2-3 bdr, 2 bath house in those areas for around $1,000 or am I dreaming. Wanted to stay away from the 280 area/Hoover area, etc. Cahaba Heights might not be too bad. How about the area next to Crestline (Mtn. Brook) - the roads off Montevallo (is that bad yet).

We used to live out near Trussville but the traffic is horrible driving into downtown. Never lived the north end (Fultondale/Gardendale) but know you would have to come down I-65.

Thanks for any suggestions!!!!

[cpg35223]

Southside, especially Forest Park, is pretty safe and the lifestyle there is great. And Cahaba Heights is a sleeper of an area, with really good value and a lot of convenience.

Let me put it this way. When my last child graduates from MBHS, we'll be back down on Southside like a shot.

[vezz77]

There are probably pockets that you would want to avoid, but in general Southside is pretty safe. There will always be people loitering around Five Points South, but to me that just adds to the city vibe that you get there. I live in Forest Park, and it is a little more quiet and well-preserved (in terms of historic homes) than other areas of Southside. There is a nice little commercial district with a market and restaurants that you can walk to. The golf course is very close as well, if you play golf. If not, there are several parks that you can walk to. Traffic to downtown is really not too bad, even on the busier roads. It almost never takes me more than 5 minutes to get to work.

[bluebeard]

I've heard that decades ago Southside was much worse. Most of the people that will tell its dangerous probably have not extensively been there since then. It's pretty safe now.

[bosshawk]

Very safe, much more cultured than many parts of the metro area.

[UABstudent]

Southside is safe, but as said above, it still has it's pockets. Most of those are on the West side of Glen Iris and 5 points will always have something going down since it's where some clubs are.

Your guess for house prices are probably right on target. Many college students team up and rent a 3 bedroom house for about $900-1000 in Southside/Glen Iris/UAB area. 2 bedroom houses are usually cheaper. Once you cross into Highland park/Forest Park, things will get pricier and nicer. Southside is very diverse now because of UAB and it's growing for the first time in years.

[JustMeInBrandon]

Thanks for all the replies! We will have to come up and drive around the areas mentioned. I still have family in the B'ham area.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by JustMeInBrandon

Thanks for all the replies! We will have to come up and drive around the areas mentioned. I still have family in the B'ham area.

Good deal. Best areas are east of the Red Mountain Expressway