Moving to Birmingham w/ 3-yr-old twin grls--NEED AFFORDABLE RENTAL (Homewood: apartments, leasing)

[twinmom1231]

I am a mom of twin 3-yr-old girls and wife to disabled US Marine. We are looking into moving to Birmingham area to find better opportunities for work for me so that we can raise our girls. We are currently living in Fort Payne, AL where job opportunities are few & far btwn. We need to be in a decent, safe area to raise our girls, yet in an affordable area at same time. My husband still has medical needs so we will need to be near good doctors also. We are trying to keep in mind schools for when the twins start. We have limited income now, but hope to have a strong steady stream of income within a month of moving. Our church here wants to help us with our move there. Ideally we would like a rental house at $450-550 range with small deposit required. Is that possible??? We are a Christian family that loves and trusts in the Lord. Appreciate any help /suggestions. Thank you!

[jakabedy]

I'm not in the rental market, so don't have specific suggestions for you. But I'll say that at the $450-500 range, you're going to be in the very low end of the market. It's hard to find a 2BR apartment for that in a decent area. The houses you're going to find are going to be in rougher areas, or probably quite far out of town, maybe a mobile home?

[hlsess]

I agree- it will be VERY hard to find a rental for that price in a safe , nice area.....

[Threestep]

That budget is too low for what you are looking for. There is a US AF family support facility at the Birmingham airport who assist all service branches.
As you say you will have good additional income within a month - can you get support for the girls and your husband and move a month or two ahead of them?

[happybuddha]

When are you looking to move ? There is a lot of discussion on other threads about schools. Would not finding a good school *immediately* be a deal breaker ? Are you willing to up your rental budget by 50 or 100 dollars ? I would say if you still have time on your hand, keep looking for specials that almost all apartments offer. Just calling them and asking should work too. I moved to Bham last October and did a lot of research on the apartments. You can also try searching for a quote on the apartment's websites. Changing your move in dates would also give you differing price quotes.
I generally would just call the leasing office and ask for a quote. If the other person 'seemed' helpful, I would ask them how long they had been working with the leasing office and as a trend around which time of the year, in their observation, has been the cheapest rental offered. I had also found a 1 BR for 475 during then. I moved again in March and got a 2 BR/2 BA for 650 in a very nice locality off (my dearest) 280. I also found recently that the apartments heavily advertise on craigslist as well. That can be another place you can look. So I think there is hope and best of luck with what you are trying to do.

[Miv]

A house...........your options are limited: safety and a decent school, look at Tarrant city.
Tarrant city is also taking applications for public housing. Don't freak out; their housing isn't like the projects, the police don't play that in Tarrant.

If you don't mind an apartment you can check out the Southside and Glen Iris. That would be MUCH closer to the VA.

[defflampard]

Oael! O gak? zazca-ni lsiieagu n ziacsiazie, ?ni aaeanu?

[harry chickpea]

Agree that the price range is way too low. Two bedroom house in Centerpoint area is $600 to $650, deposits are going to be one month plus a non-refundable pet deposit. Inexpensive apartments in Homewood start around $550 IF you can find one. The oddity of the market is that if you can get approved and swing the downpayment, BUYING a an inexpensive repo home can end up being much cheaper. There is a glut of them on the market.

[twinmom1231]

We have decided to stay where we are. Thank you all for your input. You have been very helpful. God bless you all.