a good neighborhood in b'ham? (Birmingham, Hoover: apartments, rental, lofts)

[spork]

We are moving to b'ham from san francisco to help our uncle open a brew pub downtown(new vulcan ale house). idealy we'd like to rent a 3br/2ba house for around $1100 that isn't too far from downtown. We are also interested in access to public transportation as we dont have a car. what neighborhoods should we be looking at? any/all input is welcomed and appreciated.

[Bravo35223]

OK tell us a little more about yourself....

Do you have children? Are schools an issue?

Since you are from SF, is urban living OK? What do you want around your residence? Quiet suburbs or more urban life?

Is the brewpub the one that is going in at the old location of the Jimmy Hale Mission?

thx and we will help all we can....

[elleybea]

you are going to need a car. Everything in b'ham is very spread out and public transportation is not somehthing that people in the south have really embraced. the suburb are all great places to live; although each one has it's social distinctions. mt. brooke is known as being "old money"...you almost have to be born into it to be accepted socially. Hoover is a great city that it growing like crazy. It is one of the newest suburbs and consists of a lot of your everyday, middle to upper class folks. Vestevia and homewood are also great places to live but i will say that almost every towon in birmingham has a paticular sterotype. Trussville and Clay are a little further out-especially from where you want to be, but very afforadable. dont get me wrong it a great city a lot to do and people have a the traditional southern charm.

[robroebuck]

Yep, you will need/want a car. I know of a few houses for rent in your ball park, but need to see your response to Bravo's questions as they determine areas and wishes.

[Mr. 205]

Welcome and congrats on the upcoming move. The New Vulcan Ale House is already starting to gain a lot of interest from the locals.

Concerning transportation, I hate to inform you but it's abysmal. Your stipulation pretty much rules out most of the area. However, since you want to be close to downtown, I'm assuming you should be able to find a couple of spots that meet your needs. I'm not too familiar with the prices but I would recommend looking into some of the Southside neighborhoods. The area by Greensprings Ave is about two miles from downtown and is currently experiencing nice, steady growth. The community of homes clustered south of UAB should also offer some nice choices.

If you're willing to consider apartments and/or condos, there are a few downtown (where public transportation, while still lacking, is more abundant than other parts of town) within a mile - and some within walking distance - of the ale house that you might be interested in.

Regardless, I'd follow Bravo's suggestions, after which, everyone would be able to help you even more.

[teachcal]

If you are from SF and prepared to pay higher rent like you mentioned for a good quality of life, check out the Highlands. It is in the southside of Bham and has traditional, eclectic and antebellum style homes. Kind of a haven for gay men but considering its beauty....

Also, new lofts downtown in that rental price range. Homewood is also experiencing a ressurection. Avoid: anything north (including suburbs) and anything south of Hoover. Some areas not too welcoming to outsiders....
PM me if you wish.

Theresa

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by teachcal

If you are from SF and prepared to pay higher rent like you mentioned for a good quality of life, check out the Highlands. It is in the southside of Bham and has traditional, eclectic and antebellum style homes. Kind of a haven for gay men but considering its beauty....

Also, new lofts downtown in that rental price range. Homewood is also experiencing a ressurection. Avoid: anything north (including suburbs) and anything south of Hoover. Some areas not too welcoming to outsiders....
PM me if you wish.

Theresa

What do you mean by "Avoid: anything north (including suburbs) and anything south of Hoover. "?

[spork]

wow, y'all are quick. we will be 3 adults, no kids so schools don't matter. more urban would be prefferable to quiet suburb. an ecclectic neighborhood will probably suit us better. grocery store/convienience store in the area will be helpful as well. and yes, it is the pub going into the jimmie hale mission.

[robroebuck]

Given that info, I'd say check out the Southside area around UAB, Highland area, and Homewood. Homewood will put you little bit farther away and more of a "quiet suburb," but nice areas to walk for shops, boutiques, grocery, etc.

[Bravo35223]

I agree with Rob....look on the Southside....along Highland Avenue...Niazuma Avenue, Pawnee Avenue... You're just going to have to get here and start looking around. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised driving along Highland Avenue...

For fun....Go To ROJO a nice neighborhood bar on Highland Avenue....a young 20's single scene. Chat up the patrons there as well as bartenders. Rojo is owned by a fellow from Peru and he has made a very successful business out of his sidewalk cafe there. You can get much of the 'inside scoop' about the neighborhood by visiting Rojo.

ROJO!

I have been to wonderful SF on many vacations and business trips. I am very familiar with the cable car lines and bus lines. You can get anywhere with a paid pass on that system and being willing and able to walk a few blocks to get to an access point.

Unfortunately not the same here....but Birmingham DOES have limited public trans.

Here is the map and it DOES serve Southside, which is where you are going to target to live....

http://www.bjcta.org/fileadmin/user_...es/dartbig.jpg

The good news is that if you connected from the Green Line to the Blue Line to the Red Line...you could indeed get to work!! Do your personal homework and you can probably find something workable.

One thing that the Southside could remind you of in SF....steep grades on many of the streets....Homwood would work also but it is getting damn pricy given your budget.

Pls let us know how we can further assist....