For people who recently came to Birmingham (real estate, condo)

[Southlander]

Bless your heart Nicole (and I mean that sincerely), you're in Hartselle now?!?! No wonder you feel like you're out in the boonies...you ARE! Never fear, Panera Bread will be open in Decatur in just a few more weeks!

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by Southlander

We stopped in Krispy Kreme the other night and noticed that they no longer offer cake-style doughnuts...or maybe they didn't that night. My husband likes the cake-style ones. Maybe ask the next time you're in one, or call them? And there are several fabulous bakeries in B'ham...Savage's in Homewood is one. Ask around.
Can't get into Alabama football...try Auburn's. Either way, half the state won't like it!!

Try Edgar's for your sweet tooth.

[NicoleC]

Bravo,

I could wax poetic about the virtues of living 5 miles from some of the best mountain biking in the country and at the same time, 15 miles from kayaking in the Pacific Ocean, but it's all been said before. Instead, I'll use an analogy.

There's a phenomenon in California, where New Yorkers come to California and constantly talk about how great NYC is. Californian's roll their eyes and snicker at each other about how somehow these folks never get around to moving BACK to that amazing place. Obviously, the Californians don't "get it," whatever "it" is.

The other two recent transplants here know exactly what I am talking about. Sure, there are a some gyms, and there are some immigrants and yeah, there are some bars. That's not "it." Nonetheless, you don't see the transplants packing up and moving back either. It's a compliment, not an insult.

Bless your heart Nicole (and I mean that sincerely), you're in Hartselle now?!?! No wonder you feel like you're out in the boonies...you ARE!

Ja, Southlander, mistakes made, moving on. Heck, I'm not even IN Hartselle, that's just the closest thing. Guess I am not ready to retire to the country just yet.

[Socal2Bham]

Well I'm heading home next week to visit family and friends. I haven't been home since I moved here in Nov05, wow, I can't believe I've been here almost 2 years!

I'm taking an oversize suitcase so I can stock up on my TJ favorites. I also plan to freeze a couple of Santa Maria style tri-tips from Costco and fedex them back here.
mp33 if there is anything I can pick-up for you that you can't get here just lemme know and I can try to bring it back for you. I'll be in Pasadena, Santa Monica/Venice & Santa Barbara.

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by NicoleC

Bravo,

I could wax poetic about the virtues of living 5 miles from some of the best mountain biking in the country and at the same time, 15 miles from kayaking in the Pacific Ocean, but it's all been said before. Instead, I'll use an analogy.

There's a phenomenon in California, where New Yorkers come to California and constantly talk about how great NYC is. Californian's roll their eyes and snicker at each other about how somehow these folks never get around to moving BACK to that amazing place. Obviously, the Californians don't "get it," whatever "it" is.

The other two recent transplants here know exactly what I am talking about. Sure, there are a some gyms, and there are some immigrants and yeah, there are some bars. That's not "it." Nonetheless, you don't see the transplants packing up and moving back either. It's a compliment, not an insult.



Ja, Southlander, mistakes made, moving on. Heck, I'm not even IN Hartselle, that's just the closest thing. Guess I am not ready to retire to the country just yet.

I understand what you are saying about New Yorkers....I've spent quite a bit of time vacationing there too. I'm not surprised they don't move back. If they can afford it, the beauty of the area and the incredible weather would certainly keep them there.

And I can certainly see your point about the best mountain biking and the ocean..California is just so beautiful.

Apparently you live in Hartselle? A nice town, but can't compare to living in Birmingham's suburbs in terms of sophistication...have you had a chance to spend some substantial time in Birmingham going to symphony, art museum, theatre, bars and restaurants, Whole Foods, etc??

[Socal2Bham]

Well, my positive experience living in the south was somewhat tarnished for the first time at the Birmingham airport on my way back to LA for my visit home.

First time I've been witness to absolutely blatant racism. It was too ugly to even bother to repeat here but I was in total shock and very disappointed. It's people like that @$!%!#! who unfortunately give the South a bad rap.

It was a nice visit but I actually looked forward to coming back to Birmingham.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by Socal2Bham

Well, my positive experience living in the south was somewhat tarnished for the first time at the Birmingham airport on my way back to LA for my visit home.

First time I've been witness to absolutely blatant racism. It was too ugly to even bother to repeat here but I was in total shock and very disappointed. It's people like that @$!%!#! who unfortunately give the South a bad rap.

It was a nice visit but I actually looked forward to coming back to Birmingham.

Good to have you back. It got a bit boring around here.

I am sorry to hear about issues at the airport. If it was too ugly to mention, then why mention it at all? My husband is in and out on the public and the private side almost every day. He has never had a problem.

[Socal2Bham]

Thanks, glad to be back.

I brought it up because the thread is about impressions of Birmingham for those who have recently moved here and felt it related to the topic. My impressions had all been good until that day, of course it does not diminish my overall impression by much but does put ding in it.

I just didn't think it was necessary to post verbatim what the idiot felt was okay to say to me upon hearing I was from the LA area. I had to look around to see if I was on some kind of prank show or something it was so ignorant! I was seriously shocked and later wished I had said something nasty or made a scene to express my disgust but instead just put my hand up to his face to cut him off from spewing more ignorance a walked away. My boyfriend said that was for the best since it probably would not have been wise to make a scene at the airport.
Why would some random stranger just volunteer his thoughts on white girls dating black men to me out of the blue? It was precipitated only by him asking why on earth I would move to Birmingham.

Which begs another question... that is pretty much the standard response I get anytime someone learns that I have recently moved here (can I still say recently after 2 years?) from southern California.
It makes me wonder 1.) the asker lives here, surely they enjoy it here or else they would move, no? 2.) most people not from CA bag on CA so wouldn't it be obvious to them why I would choose to move away?
With the exception of city-data of course, why isn't the response ever "good choice, welcome to birmingham" or something along those lines? It doesn't instill a lot of confidence to the new comer when the standard reaction is such.

[Bravo35223]

I am very sorry to hear of your terrible experience... and we're glad to have you back here with us!

[Threestep]

I do apologize for the stranger, his obvious biased opinion and apparent lack of upbringing and manners.
Picking a fight inside an airport terminal is not a good idea.

CA has its own stigmas - surf, sand, blond, rich and famous. The land of milk and honey .... Listening to our transplants complain about this beer not being in stores, that chain not having a location, Alabamians being fat and in the dark ages and worst of all so many of them .... Yet still more coming our way:>)

Did you bring goodies? Will you share?

Do YOU consider yourself new to town?