Birmingham vs. Nashville - comparisons (Huntsville: low crime, unemployment rate, schools)

[soulful]

I am wondering how the two cities compare as far as "liveability".

Those who have spent a lot of time or lived in Nashville and Birmingham, what are the major differences?

[cpg35223]

Both are very nice cities.

Culturally, Nashville's ahead of Birmingham with music and a pro football team. Lots and lots of nightclubs too, naturally.

But Birmingham seems to be making pretty large strides in that area. Great music (not on the scale of Nashville, mind you, but that won't ever happen), great restaurants, and a pretty vibrant cultural scene as well. The quality of life in Birmingham is light years ahead of where it was 25 years ago.

Economically, I would offer that Birmingham gets the nod, chiefly because it's a very diversified economy and the state of Alabama is doing a super job of recruiting industries. Birmingham has the country's lowest unemployment rate and has the highest percentage increase in household income over the past 25 years.

Both are very livable cities.

[soulful]

Thank you for your reply and good information.

So, if given a choice, would most on this board live in Birmingham or Nashville?

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by dsimicata

Thank you for your reply and good information.

So, if given a choice, would most on this board live in Birmingham or Nashville?

I think Birmingham gets the edge for me, chiefly because I think the economy has more running room over the long haul.

[gustygulas]

I have lived in Nashville twice and loved every minute of it. The only other place I would live would be Nashville. The nightlife in my opinion is superior to Bham but we are making strides. We have a great music scene in Birmingham, but it will never compare to Nashville as said earlier. You can go out on a Monday night and see the best singer/songwriter you have never heard of in Nashvegas!

[LovinDecatur]

I like both of these cities a lot, but I would choose Birmingham...I really think this town is one of the most underrated in the US.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by dsimicata

I am wondering how the two cities compare as far as "liveability".

Those who have spent a lot of time or lived in Nashville and Birmingham, what are the major differences?

I think since you are asking this question in a Birmingham forum you probably are going to get more people that like Birmingham since that is where they live. I suggest you also ask the question in the Nashville forum to people who are familiar with both cities, and maybe even nationally to people who live in neither but have visited or are familiar with both. I overall like Nashville better, its seems to be a larger, more cosmopolitan feeling, more diverse city with more to offer as far as shopping and attractions. Nashville also has a greater prevalence of outsiders (people not from the area or state) than Birmingham. The downtown of Nashville is immensely better than Birmingham, the main thing about Nashville that turns me off is the whole country music scene obsession but if you like country this would also be a big plus for you. Birmingham does have a lot to offer though too in shopping and eating especially with the Summit and Galleria. As far as sports Nashville has a professional NFL team and hockey team and several minor league teams, I think at the moment B ham official only has the barrons and an indoor football team that didn't play last season. I think Nashville's economy is pretty diverse too with the music industry, automotive with Nissan headquarters there, and one of the largest health care industries in the country. Nashville also has one of the highest concentrations of colleges and universities in the south. The crime rate in inner city Nashville of course is much lower than b ham, but b ham suburbs don't have as much as a crime problem as the city. If you want a large, bustling metropolis with low crime and tons of things to do go to Nashville, if you want a little smaller city but still relatively large city with still a lot to offer pick Birmingham but I personally think overall Nashville has Birmingham in most categories.

[AQUEMINI331]

Honestly.................as a Birmingham native, I don't see much difference. Nashville's only slightly larger. And i do mean slightly.............don't let the skyscrapers and sprawl fool you. Nashville's metro area population of 1,601,403 is only slightly larger than Birmingham metro's 1,108,210.


Nashville has the Titans. But I'd rather watch the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nashville also has the Predators. Couldn't care less about hockey.


As far as climate is concerned, most would say Birmingham is better. Birmingham only averages 0.5 inches of snow per year with an average January high temperature of 53 F................compared to Nashville's average Jan. high of 46 F and 9 inches of snow per year. Birmingham can still get quite chilly though. Snowfall is definitely not a concern anymore; they just don't get it anymore for some reason (global warming, maybe?).


I say toss a coin.


_

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by AQUEMINI331

Honestly.................as a Birmingham native, I don't see much difference. Nashville's only slightly larger. And i do mean slightly.............don't let the skyscrapers and sprawl fool you. Nashville's metro area population of 1,601,403 is only slightly larger than Birmingham metro's 1,108,210.


Nashville has the Titans. But I'd rather watch the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nashville also has the Predators. Couldn't care less about hockey.



_

Depends on your definition of slightly. To me, Nashville has a half a million more people than Birmingham, which is almost half the size of Bham's metro population thats a considerable amount, not a huge amount but considerable. Me personally I'm not part of this only like college sports culture of Alabama, having an NFL team even if its not one that I particularly like (the Titans) gives me the opportunity to watch a professional sporting event in person of other NFL teams. I think thats a great advantage but this may not matter to some people. I'm also more open to occasionally watch sports besides NFL, I have even been to HAVOC games here in Huntsville and they were quite entertaining. The main difference to me is Nashville does have a much more vibrant and noticeable downtown and Bham's lack of professional sports teams, but again this is something that really depends on the person. Due to the college sports over everything culture of Alabama I'd be really surprised if an NFL team to came to Alabama anytime soon.

[noodlegoober]

I have lived at least 4 years in both cities and here's my 2 cents.

Culture - Birmingham does have arts related activities, but it is not embraced like it is in 'Music City USA'. I found in Birmingham, you found the same 'type' of people from very similar backgrounds. In Nashville, you found a wide variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Nashville is a much bigger melting pot.

Climate - Both Nashville and Birmingham have the warm southern climates, but Birmingham is much more humid. Because of that - there are bigger thunderstorms in B'ham. Neither city have much of a winter and both only vary in temperature by about 5 - 10 degrees - Nashville being the cooler one.

Sports - Yes, Nashville has the major teams, but you can't find more committed fans than in Alabama. Sports is one of the most important things to people in Birmingham.

Religion - Birmingham and Nashville are both predominantly Christian, but Nashville definitely is in the bible belt. We've found that one of the first few questions someone asks you is "Where do you go to church?" and of course you MUST visit theirs.

Education - Nashville definitely succeeds in this area. UAB downtown is a great school, but you can't beat Vanderbilt. It's one the nations best hospitals and top ranked schools. There is a huge emphasis placed on education in Nashville, whereas in Birmingham - the important thing seems to be Friday night's game.

Topography - Nothing is more beautiful than the rolling hills of Birmingham. Everyone takes pride in their yards and gardens. A short drive outside of Nashville, you see sprawling farms. Either place is gorgeous.

Overall - people are friendly, cost of living is very similar, and it's the best BBQ you'll find anywhere! Hope any of that helps. Anything more specific?