Relocating to Center Point (Birmingham, Trussville: real estate, crime, houses)

[visionarydiva]

I am moving from Lafayette, Indiana and am looking at the center point and east lake areas to move in....I have been searching online and have been unable to find anything regarding the schools in these areas. I have kids who will be in the 3, 4, 5th grades and one child who will be a freshman in high school. I was wondering if anyone knew what schools they would be attending and if they have a website that I can look at. Also I was wondering if someone could tell me about the schools in the area that I can attend. I will have my associates and am looking to go to a 4 year college. I want to make this move as smooth as I can for my kids. Any personal opinions on the center point area would be greatly appreciated. Lastly, I was wondering about jobs. I am currently working in the health care field at a facility that works with children with dual disabilities. I work in a group home with all girls who are transitioning their way back into society after being abused and neglected by their family members. Is there any facilities like this either in center point or in birmingham?

[AQUEMINI331]

If you move to East Lake, move somewhere south of 4th Avenue South / Interstate 59. The rest of the community is not the kind of place you'd want your children to be raised in. My mother works in the area and I don't care for her being down there, but whatever.


As for Center Point, that's a little bit different. It was the last place I lived in before moving to Chicago a year and a half ago. CP has occasional outbursts of crime but generally speaking it is a safe place to be. Your children would be attending Erwin High school, the elementary school kids would be attending either Erwin (which is really a K-12 school) or the new Center Point elementary / middle school (i'm not sure what grades they cover, I just know it's not anything higher than 8th grade).


If you're going to be moving anywhere in the city of Birmingham (East Lake is in Birmingham, CP is not), then I would suggest sending the kids to W.J. Christian Alternative / Magnet school in South Roebuck (this is for grades K-8) and Ramsay High School (for grades 9-12). I went to both of those schools, those really are your best options for kids in the city of Birmingham outside of private school, which may be another option to consider because truthfully B'ham City Schools aren't all that. You'd do better in Center Point, although they're not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer either, they're just better than Birmingham, which like I said before, doesn't say very much.


I spent my teenage years growing up in this part of Birmingham so anything you need to know, just ask. I haven't been gone for too long and I go back at least twice a year, so the info I give is generally accurate.

[harry chickpea]

Is Jefferson State College still up there? I don't remember whether it was a two or four year school. In the 1980s, the kids at Erwin H.S. were by and large fairly decent. I had a few working for me at the local theatre, but that was a while ago.

U.A.B. is the obvious choice in the area for someone interested in learning about health care. I don't recall any halfway houses or group homes on the north side of B'ham offhand, but I'm sure they exist. A call to Brookwood Hospital might start you on the path towards finding them.

[mp33]

In Paula Dean's magazine (currently out - fall issue), there's an article on Big Oak Ranch where girls who have been neglected, abused, etc...live with "house parents" on a beautiful ranch in Springville (15 minutes northeast of Centerpoint?? I think...). Maybe with your experience working with transtioning girls back into society, this might be of interest to you.

Good Luck!

[Eeyore]

I have lived in the area for most of my life. Lived in CP until age 6. Then to Trussville until age 18. Then Atlanta for 2 years. Moved back to CP for 5 years. Then back to Trussville for the last 15 years

I spend a good bit of time in the CP and EL areas. CP was really going downhill. A few years ago it incorporated into a city in an effort to improve things. I think it has definately helped. Irwin was getting pretty rough as well, but I think it has improved....I dunno hw much.

It seems EL is going down pretty fast as far a crime goes. There have been and are efforts to improve things. It is after all a beautiful historic area. Lately, tho', I have noticed the conditions of homes and yards really getting worse in some areas. Im not sure of the boundaries of school districts but I think you're really looking for trouble as far as schools in East Lake.

Have you thought about nearby Roebuck? Again Im not sure about schools but the area is still pretty safe and there has been much improvement in the commercial sector. (they even have a Starbucks)

Or what about Grayson Valley area. Also very closeby. It isn't a city but and "area" Part of GV is in Bham city limits and would mean the children would go to Huffman HS....not too bad. The other areas are unincorperated for the most part and the children would either go to Hewitt or Clay/Chalkville Hi Schools. Both VERY good.

Also keep in mind the Pinson area...down the road from CP. Some areas will be more expensive but not all. It is more rural. But business is really growing there and the schools seem to be pretty good. (Altho, I do know a 7th grade Social Studies teacher that is a pervert there)

Jefferson State Community College (aka Jeff State) is in the CP area. It is a good 2 year college with a good nursing program. UAB in downtown Bham is one of the best medical schools in the US. It should only take 25 to 40 mins depending on time of day to get there from CP. And much less from EL or Roebuck.

Im assuming finances are governing your choices of areas. Sadly you usually pay for better schools. Its not fair. It is an issue that the courts have been trying to deal with all over the US. Most school system are supported by property taxes primarily. The more expensive the homes in an area then the better the schools generally speaking. The better the schools are the higher the property value goes. The oposite snowball effect happens in poorer areas.

If school is the most important thing, you might consider getting a less desireable house and property in a better area.

Dont trust real estate agents implicitly. Make sure that your kids will actually be going to the schools that they say. and dont trust their opinion on the schools.

There should be plenty of work in Bham for someone with your experience. And you can get almost anywhere from anywhere in the city in less than 1/2 hour.

I'm hoping for the best for you.
Please let us know what you decide.
eeyore

[AQUEMINI331]

Center Point was going downhill a few years ago, I remember being in high school and they had a LOT of prostitution rings all up and down CP Parkway. But they've cleaned that up a lot now from what I've heard (I'm 23 now, so my high school years were like 5-10 years ago).

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by mp33

In Paula Dean's magazine (currently out - fall issue), there's an article on Big Oak Ranch where girls who have been neglected, abused, etc...live with "house parents" on a beautiful ranch in Springville (15 minutes northeast of Centerpoint?? I think...). Maybe with your experience working with transtioning girls back into society, this might be of interest to you.

Good Luck!

A great post....I agree wholeheartedly.
Springville is a very nice community and working there would be a wonderful experience for you.

[sassytrisha]

My hubby and I moved to Center Point (well a little north of town) 5 years ago. The neighborhood is pretty good, property taxes are great (compared with what they are up north!). Part of our neighborhood is in the Clay-Chalkville S.D. and the other part is Erwin, go figure.

[visionarydiva]

Thanks to everyone for leaving me info....I really appreciate it...I am planning a trip down there in October so I will be able to check more things out like the schools and stuff and I will be taking all this info with me so thanks again i really appreciate it.

[Bravo35223]

Please consider Trussville when you come down. The VALUE you get in Trussville for the money is very very good.