Moving to Birmingham

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by TonyKingma

Thanks for the answer CPG. Could you please go into more depth about what you mean by ´´in transition´´....as in getting worse or better?

Midfield used to be pretty much a working class neighborhood, with lots of blue-collar types. But when US Steel shut down in the late 70s, manufacturing jobs pretty much dwindled to almost nothing.

For some perspective, Birmingham, Alabama, and Flint, Michigan, had identical unemployment rates in the early 80s, with jobless numbers topping 17%. So working class neighborhoods like Midfield were just decimated. Then, while US Steel returned, along with other manufacturers, Birmingham's economy became more service oriented--and workers found it easier to commute in rather than live in the inner city. As a result, Midfield never really recovered.

That being said, there are a lot of nice neighborhoods that are rapidly turning around here, the product of a booming economy. So my perceptions may be based on what I observed 3-4 years ago, as opposed to what's happening now.

[harrismr]

You might want to try Helena. It was voted 100th best town in the U.S and 13th best town to raise children. The traffic at certain times may be a little overwhelming but its a quaint little town. Look at Old Cahaba,
Moderator cut: website

[spreis]

My husband has been transferred to Fairfield from Idaho. Can someone please suggest some housing, schools, etc to us also. Thanks.

[tgcali]

Originally Posted by harrismr

You might want to try Helena. It was voted 100th best town in the U.S and 13th best town to raise children. The traffic at certain times may be a little overwhelming but its a quaint little town. Look at Old Cahaba, I have a friend with a home for sale. Moderator cut: website

Could I ask for a little more detail on 'a little overwhelming' when it comes to traffic for the area around Helena? Or anywhere else for that matter.

Realizing there are different points of view and perspectives when it comes to traffic, I am having a bit of trouble narrowing down my search areas because of references to 'bad traffic'. What's bad for you guys, may be cake to me.

Let me give you some idea of what I'm used to. I am lucky enough to be going against traffic both ways (morning/afternoon), but I'm on an 8 lane freeway where the other side is a parking lot. This is normal traffic for San Diego. The traffic I saw on the 280 on Friday afternoon about 5 p.m. when I was there, in terms of the amount of cars, is what you will find on the freeway here in the direction I'm traveling. The difference is the number of lanes, and the fact that the 280 has traffic lights in the area I was in (Inverness/Meadowbrook). Also, 4 lanes with traffic lights IS the street I live and park on!

I'm looking at/interested in Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Moody and any other suggestions that you all think would be a good fit. At this point my ground zero seems to be Hoover, as a result of the great help I've gotten from CPG and the others around here.

I need/want: good middle/high school, affordable ($650-$700/month) apartments in a safe neighborhood, school district with bus services, commute around 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, reliable internet would be nice also.

I've gotten a lot of good info here from you fine folks, and I continue to learn. Thanks!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by spreis

My husband has been transferred to Fairfield from Idaho. Can someone please suggest some housing, schools, etc to us also. Thanks.

Hiya. Tell us what your priorities are and we'll help you out.