Birmingham Areas (Valley, Calera, Madrid: foreclosures, high crime, houses)

[slfarnsw]

I'm moving from Dallas to Birmingham and found a house that I'm interested in moving into. It's in the South Highlands/Lakewood/Oakville area. Can anyone tell me anything about that area (i.e. safety, etc.)? I've never been to Birmingham, so I have no idea what that neighborhood is like. I've only seen pictures of the house.

[Keeper]

You might try searching for those areas as there have been a lot of post about B'ham here. Also check at the bottom of this page and you will see similar threads listed. Hope this helps until B'ham posters get back..

[robroebuck]

I'm an agent in Birmingham and I'm not even sure what areas you are talking about! Can you give me a street name or more info and I'll try to help.

[strapped205]

just so you know birmingham is 6th most dangerous city in the country

[urbups]

South Highlands/Lakewood/Oakville are all areas that are gentrifying more and more by the minute. What that means is that there are lots of nice blocks and some really quaint houses, but you will still see some unoccupied houses and some corners or spot that may look a little rough b/c the reinvestment hasn't made it to them yet. I live inside the city and advocate for you to talk to people who live in the area you want to move to see what the day-to-day deal is with crime. The area where I live is considered by the uninformed as high crime, but when you look at the neighborhood statistics (not just the whole-city statistics) and talk to the neighbors you'll see that most people are happy with the level of crime in the area. Get local!

[slfarnsw]

Originally Posted by robroebuck

I'm an agent in Birmingham and I'm not even sure what areas you are talking about! Can you give me a street name or more info and I'll try to help.

The street is Valley Hill Drive. Thanks for your help.

[robroebuck]

Got it....As mentioned the area is "gentrifying" but there are still some areas that need improvement. There are very nice areas just blocks away and overall I think a fine area. I did a quick search on the MLS for houses on Valley Hill and for the most part they appear to be well kept and nice looking houses.

[jakabedy]

Those areas you listed are all original developer names for an area commonly known as South Eastlake. When doing the local MLS search, you're in area 16. As urb said, there is good and bad to South Eastlake. The older 1920s bungalow homes are gentrifying bit-by-bit. But the homes higher up the mountain (1960s-70s homes) are not seeing the same care. You'll find a quaint street or block, and then a rough patch nearby. The area is roughly bound by 1st Avenue South on the north, 85th Street on the east, Ruffner Mountain on the South and Oporto-Madrid Blvd on the west. It is a very large area, hence the slow gentrification.

I lived in Roebuck Springs, which abuts the South Eastlake neighborhood on its eastern boundary. I loved living over there in my 1920s Tudor, lloved the folks in the local historic homeowner's association, and only moved because I got married and we couldn't afford one of the much larger homes. But, this is an urban neighborhood, with urban issues and urban schools (if that is a factor for you). I would definitely suggest making a visit and making a list of "must have" and "must not have." Also consider that a lot of the foreclosures popping up in Birmingham are in the areas near and surrounding this area -- so I don't know what that bodes for the future.

Happy house hunting!

[ashnicpra]

My husband & I are ready to move back home to Missouri w/Family we have lived in Alabama for 4 years & have loved it. Just something about family that draws you home. The Calera area is where we live & Moderator cut: advertising we have absolutely loved the community.

[Bravo35223]

What is your budget? Do you have children?

I have a neighbor from down the street who moved here from Dallas just bc the public schools were college prep quality and free. This is in the suburbs. He loves it and so does his wife who is from Odessa.

If you could tell us about your budget, we can point you in the right direction.