Looking in Helena? (Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover: relocating, foreclosure, travel)

[thebollmans]

We are moving from Atlanta to the Birmingham area. My husband is getting relocated to Tuscaloosa and we thought Helena would be a good compromise for him commuting to Tuscaloosa on 59/20 and me wanting to teach in suburbs of Birmingham.

We are looking at new homes in Hillsboro.

Any thoughts or comments would be GREATLY appreciated! THANKS!

[contented]

helena is a sweet little town from every angle. my only concern would be the traffic on the road that takes you to 59/20.

[Bravo35223]

I agree...Helena is indeed a wonderful town....but the problem is getting to the Interstate during rush hour.

As with any of these issues, you need to come here and get a competent realtor and really get a feel for the place you select. And frankly, many people relocating to Birmingham from Atlanta are surprised at the expense of housing....its higher here.

There is a nice neighborhood in Hoover you may want to evaluate. From the intersection of I-459 and Alabama 150, go inside 459 and there is an exceptional neighborhood of homes there....easy access to 459.

[gustygulas]

Helena is a great town and Hillsboro is offering some deals on the houses because of so much inventory on the ground.

Another town you may want to look at is McCalla. There are many travelers to Tuscaloosa from McCalla. It would save your hubby some time in the mornings and still give you plenty of time to get to school as well.

[harrismr]

Helena is a very nice town. Hillsboro is a nice community but the homes are too close together. The traffic is a little congested but if you leave the house at certain times, you can avoid the traffic, as well as go back roads to Tuscaloosa. The homes in McCalla are nice, but I am not too happy with the school system there. Hoover has a very good school system, but the homes are a bit high.

[Southlander]

What's wrong with living in Tuscaloosa?

[thebollmans]

Hi! Update...I got a job teaching in Vestavia Hills, so I will be traveling 459 North from Hoover/Helena and my husband will be traveling on 59/20 to Tuscaloosa. We are still looking at houses...our house hasn't sold in Atlanta! We are still looking in Hillsboro in Helena and also in Lake Cyrus in Hoover. Any comments or suggestions???
Thanks!

[gustygulas]

Congrats on the job. The Vestavia school district is excellent.

I would recommend getting a buyers agent for any help in the Birmingham area. There are some discounts that just came out for Lake Cyrus on some new homes. I believe they are offering discounts until the end of April and must close by the end of May. Some discounts go up to 25k. These are for the new houses in the back of Lake Cyrus

There have also been discounts in Hillsboro up to 30k on some houses. Get a buyers agent to help structure an offer especially on some of these new construction homes that have been selling for below list price.

I am not sure what your price range is but there are some nice homes off south shades crest rd that are new and have gone into foreclosure and are some excellent deals.

[Bravo35223]

Emloyment-wise, things are looking excellent for you. I'd pick Lake Cyrus for easy proximity to I459....

[thebollmans]

Thank you for the advice! We are excited!