Moving to B'ham area...need neighborhood (Homewood: houses, price, park)

[GinaVol]

The lots in that price range are not large in Ross Bridge. I'd think homewood or bluff park would be good choices in that price range but you'd get less house in Homewood than BP.

[1size2smll]

My dh worked in that area for several years. We lived in Mountain Brook (a portion very very close to Homewood) and Vestavia Hills during that time. The drive out was approx. 20 to 30 minutes from both places. Mountain Brook will not be a good place to look (typically anyway)for a large lot in your price range. Similarly, Homewood is notorious for small lots in the older areas (Hollywood: 30's and 40's era). However, just along Lakeshore there are some neighborhoods that might fit your needs and be a little less pricey than the more affluent areas of Homewood. Vestavia has housing in your price range with large lots (many houses were built in the 50' and 60's to give you an idea) And on the west side of 31 you will have your best luck. Bluff Park-part of Hoover- runs along the top of Shades Mountain and would be another convenient area. More bang for your buck too! Once you learn the roads you'll find that there is a road that runs right down the back side of Shades Mountain and dumps you out on the western end of Lakeshore where your dh is headed. (that is according to my reading of the mapquest map fyi) I'd like to point out that all the areas that have been suggested boast the best school districts in the area, so you will absolutely have neighbors in grade school if that is what you meant by "kids", there will not be many college "kids" though and I think that may be what you are saying. And hey, if your fur babies get replaced by real babies, then you'll be all set!

[1size2smll]

Another thought! I can't imagine that a 20 to 30 minute commute would eliminate the Southside or the new loft areas of Downtown Birmingham. Obviously a loft is not what you are thinking of when you say you have two large dogs, however the Southside area has many older houses with yards etc. in close proximity to the fledgling nightlife of Bham (see other threads for debate on that, lol) These areas will have other young professionals (D'ya like how I assume you are in your 20's?) without kids. Heck, you might want to look around the Birmingham proper area. Your DH will be driving *against* the traffic during rush hour for the most part. Don't know your politics, but in general the OTM areas like Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, etc. are largely conservative with a social life centering on church. Forest Park, South Side, Crestwood tend to be more centrist and liberal, and religion aside they live closer to and therefore participate more in the cultural happenings of the city. FWIW, have a relative who lives in Crestwood and there are many houses in your range with enough lot for a couple of dogs. Crestwood is a little too far to the east to be convenient for your husband in my opinion.

There may be some who would warn you about crime in the Southside area etc. I would say that the stats are out there for you to look at for yourself, but that the stats don't give the whole story. Like any urban area you need to know your streets, know where you are going, and keep your wits. To get first hand opinions I suggest going to al.com where they have forums broken down by neighborhood.

[rksatria]

hi there.

i need advice.
i'll take master degree in university of birmingham (UB), started 1 Sep, 2008.
My wife and my daughters (7 and 8 years old) will come along with me.
Any sugestion to live, close to the good primary school and not very far to the UB. It must be good neighborhood for the kids to play, have a friends.
I need a house rent around 600.

rick

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by rksatria

hi there.

i need advice.
i'll take master degree in university of birmingham (UB), started 1 Sep, 2008.
My wife and my daughters (7 and 8 years old) will come along with me.
Any sugestion to live, close to the good primary school and not very far to the UB. It must be good neighborhood for the kids to play, have a friends.
I need a house rent around 600.

rick

Can you tell us a bit more about you and your family? Where are you coming from? Do you or your children have any special needs? A budget of 600 for a house is very low in Birmingham. Have you considered an apartment?

[$tinky]

Lots aren't very big in ross bridge though i don't think. Try the hoover area, you'll get more house for the buck.

[flem95]

[quote=flem95;4235259]I have lived in Birmingham all of my life and you cannot beat our location or housing prices. We live in an older home in Mountaindale built in the mid 1960's in an area right outside of Crestline. Crestline is in Mountain Brook but we live about 3 blocks away from Crestline which is in the Birmingham city limits- safe,much lower taxes and all the conveniences of living near Crestline Village,Mountain Brook Village and English Village, which are all in the most exclusive part of Birmingham .It is a very convenient,safe area and we have good grocery stores-
Piggly Wiggly,Publix,Winn Dixie and Western Supermarket(in Mtn Brook Village). We also have a new Whole Foods Store and Fresh Market on Hwy.280E. We have great quality beauty salons, spas,barber shops,nail salons,restaurants,dentists and physicians,churches of every denomination,clothing stores, toy stores, several major banks,a beautiful large library in Crestline, gyms- all approximately one half mile from our door. Most of our neighbors have lived here for a long time,ages ranging from 40's to 80's. Our next door neighbor is a retired Veterinarian,we have
an attorney,school teacher,computer specialist,and Realtor to give you examples.My husband is a pharmacist and I am a RN. We each work about one mile from home. We live on Brook Way a street that has two cul-de sacs and the neighbors are great. There is only one little girl on our street. We get together occasionally and always know that when we need a neighbor's help they are more than willing. They are not at all intrusive,just good friendly people. Moderator cut: realtor recommendation We would be happy to show you our home as an example. Do not move on Hwy. 280!! There are many beautiful homes that way but it is always congested with traffic no matter what time of day. Forest Park is very nice and has historic homes(not a good school area) and is in the city of Birmingham. If you have school age children our Birmingham City Schools are NOT safe or of good quality!! Mountain Brook ,Vestavia and Homewood are you best bets for public schools and are great, safe established neighborhoods. Oak Mountain has a very quaint village built about 5 years old called Mount Laurel. They have their own school ,church,grocery, drug store,hardware store, swimming pool, fire dept.,ice cream parlor great shops and more. The Oak Mtn.schools are good although they are out a bit-20-30 minues away frim the City. on Hwy.119. We have many wonderful private schools,Altamont,
Highlands Day School,John Carroll Catholic High,Shades Valley High,Red Mtn.School,all close by. Indian Springs School is near Oak Mtn. State Park. I think their grade begins with 7th or 8th and goes through 12th. The children can commute or board on campus. St. Francis Xavier is private and has grades K-8th. It is seven blocks away from our home. If we can be of any assistance to you related to Birmingham please let us know. Our e-mail address is flem95@yahoo.com. Birmingham has a beautiful Art Museum,parks,The Alabama Symphony,Alys Stephens Center for the Arts, Virginia Samford Theatre, Alabama Ballet,The restored ALabama Theatre, and Birmingham Opera. Our University of Alabama Hospital is highly rated by US News and World Report and is a teaching hospital always on the cutting edge of new and improved medicine. Welcome to the Magic City!!

[flem95]

I HIGHLY suggest Canterbury Garden Apartments in Mountain Brook. Your children will be eligible to attend Mountain Brook schools which are very highly rated and the beautiful Botanical Gardens is across the street from these Apts. The Birmingham Zoo is only five minutes away and it is a very safe place to live. You would be in an area with good grocery store, pharmacies,toy store ,hardware store, post office,restaurants and churches and temples of evey denomination. The apartments are managed by J.H. Berry or Metcalf Realty. They are very careful about who they choose to live in their apartments. People with good reputations have always lived here and many are either in school or waiting until they can afford a home. There are many young people with children living there. Older people also occupy these apartments. It is usually completely occupied but call them and see. Also you may want to call UAB and ask about housing as well.
If I can be of further assistance my e-mail addres is flem95@yahoo.com I hope you can get one of the Canterbury Garden Apartments!! Homewood has a good school system as well and I think you will be able to find an apt. I wish you and your family the best.

[bhamkaren]

Originally Posted by GinaVol

The lots in that price range are not large in Ross Bridge. I'd think homewood or bluff park would be good choices in that price range but you'd get less house in Homewood than BP.

agree and the houses in ross bridge are kind of high.

i love bluff park.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by bhamkaren

agree and the houses in ross bridge are kind of high.

i love bluff park.

Yep, Bluff Park is one of those neat areas of town that just doesn't get the attention it deserves. Is Bert's on the Bluff still serving up? Mmmmmmm.