Moving to BHam, ....Drought? (Birmingham, Huntsville: rental, job, new house)

[CaligirlinNawlins]

Hi!
I'm a Californian who, like many Californians, got the heck out of California and moved to post-Katrina New Orleans. Now, I'm buying a house in Birmingham (Eastlake) and moving there next month. (I'm excited, I love trees and mountains!)

I have a few questions:

How bad is the drought? Any end in sight? Will I be able to grow my tomatoes? Water my lawn?

Are people really that unfriendly in Alabama? I've found southerners to be very polite and genuinely warm if they like you, but I'm seeing some negative press here.

How are retail sales there? It doesn't seem like Birmingham got caught up in that inflationary bubble that has afflicted the rest of the country.

Are there parrot breeders there? I need a new parrot. My parrot flew away.

Rockhounding. I hear there're rocks in them thar hills. Are they accessable?

Traffic? HA! I laugh at your tales of traffic! It can't possibly be worse than the 405 through Los Angeles at 5 pm

And last but not least, please tell me you have Carl's JR there. Carl's JR is called Hardee's in the south, I think. Yum, ...six dollar burger with guacamole....

[Keeper]

Don't live in B'ham but an hour away, but I can tell you there are parrot breeders in the area. My daughter bought an african grey from a breeder, once you get settled ask again and I will get you the info.

We are still in a drought but we have been getting a good bit of rain the last couple of months.

[cpg35223]

Drought is a relative term. Our drought is still 30 inches more than LA gets...But it's easing now.

[Bravo35223]

Drought question: In the winter, our reservois' 'recharge' due to normally high rains in Jan-April. Since Jan 1, we have had above average rainfall, but not enough to bring our reservois' to full pool. So as we look into the growing season coming up, we do not know about the situation at this time.

If you have a small lawn, you may or may not have water restrictions depending upon how much recharge we get into our water resources.

There is a very large and successful retail base in Birmingham....please let us know how we can help you.

[CaligirlinNawlins]

Good to hear from you all.

An African Grey is exactly what I'm looking to replace (I miss my birdie).

I'm glad to hear "drought is a relative thing." I was wondering where could possibly be drier than parts of California. LOL!

Extra glad to hear business is strong there, I'll be able to get a job and pay for that new house. Of course, new is a relative term, too. I bought a 108 year old house.

Nice forum you've got here. Thanks for the welcome!

[Reactionary]

Caligirl - were people friendly to you in NOLA?

Hardees are common. Rockhounding - lots of iron ore in Bham and plenty of caves around the area, Georgia gold a couple of hours away.

[CaligirlinNawlins]

Yeah, the people here ROCK! I've never seen anything like it, actually.

My decision to move to Birmingham was set once I heard rumors of mountains and mineral deposits. I posted a "rental wanted" ad on Craigslist and a nice couple came at me with a deal to buy their house that I couldn't pass up.

Now I've got a friend from Huntsville who lives here in New Orleans who wants to move to Birmingham with me until he gets settled in his own place. So far I'm liking the people there a lot.

Thanks.

YAY, I am *so* eating the biggest burger they've got. No Hardee's in NOLA. mmmm....thick, juicy cow.

[CaligirlinNawlins]

By the way, I agreed to buy the house sight unseen (yes, I am a little bit crazy). I haven't even been to Birmingham yet. Of course, I've read the appraisal and neighborhood demographics. My opinion was that it couldn't possibly be any worse than the houses in New Orleans. Katrina did a number on this place. You know, plus it *is* the Big Easy.

[Reactionary]

the people here ROCK

You get what you give.

I've lived in NOLA twice - loved it. First time, Mid-City / UNO and East; second time Uptown Audubon Park.

A forum regular, 'Historic Bessemer', knows a lot about old houses, I expect that he'll chime in here soon.

The Alabama Mineral and Lapidary Society,
is a non-profit organization for the people interested
in geology, mineralogy paleontology, and the lapidary arts.

The society holds regular meetings on the second
Friday of each month at 6:30 P.M. Meetings are
currently held in the meeting rooms of the Vestivia
Hills Library

AMLS Home

[CaligirlinNawlins]

Where's Vestivia Hills?

I live in Mid City, and I lived in the Marigny. Both neighborhoods have wonderful coffeeshops and nice neighbors, plus you can't beat the Marigny for colorful characters.

I love the way all the houses are pink and purple and chartreuse and turquoise and they don't look gaudy for some reason. A turquoise house in California is just plain ugly.