Just found out Birminghmam will be our new home soon, terrified... Help! (Birmingham: co-ops, homeschooling)

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by cartag

Crestwood, Southside and Highland Avenue are great areas, especially for young people. But maybe not the best choices for this family. They have a little boy who needs good schools.
I would think Mountain Brook and Vestavia would be more accepting of bi-racial families than some of the less affluent neighborhoods not "over the mountain". At any rate, for more affordable homes try Edgewood/Homewood and the "original" parts of Hoover (Bluff Park, Green Valley/Guin, Shades Mountain, Rocky Ridge). They have great schools with diverse demographics.

Mountain Brook at this point is almost lily-white (Not completely, however, for there is one bi-racial couple with children in the system). At the same time, it's 2008 not 1958. Vestavia, Homewood, Hoover are all good school systems with a good deal more diversity.

Good luck, though. If you're a gregarious couple, I don't think you'll have any problems at all.

[jbzny1]

OK heres the skinny, moving from the north to B'ham you will definitely experience some culture shock, as for being Bi-racial and moving to the area, I hate to have to say it like this, but it does make a difference that you will notice if it is a Black-white couple than any other bi-racial combination. Although it is not talked about at all discrimination in the area is definitely alive and kicking, and I agree its not the 60's so it is not blatant, they've learned to be subtle over the last 40 year. I'm not going to take away from the positive thing about the area because dispite the problems I still have enjoyed living in birmingham, and I have lived in just about every corner of jefferson county from Mccalla, to trussville to hoover, to homewood. Overall the school systems in the suburban areas are vastly better than the city school systems, so it is either one of those systems, private school, or homeschooling. And, although people are overall friendlier than most northern cities, don't expect a great many olive branches extended in your direction

[lnssweat]

Aww, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply. Still haven't started packing, but getting excited about the move. Looking into several houses. A few in Hoover, two in Alabaster/Montevallo, and I actually forget where the others are. lol. Anyone know a good realtor that could help us in our rental house hunt? We are looking to spend between $900-1,500/mo on rent. Would like to have a 3 bedroom.
blessings to all,
L.S.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by lnssweat

Aww, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply. Still haven't started packing, but getting excited about the move. Looking into several houses. A few in Hoover, two in Alabaster/Montevallo, and I actually forget where the others are. lol. Anyone know a good realtor that could help us in our rental house hunt? We are looking to spend between $900-1,500/mo on rent. Would like to have a 3 bedroom.
blessings to all,
L.S.

Try al.com. That's the Birmingham News website. They'll have classified listings with rental homes.

[mama-2-4]

Keep in mind that school rankings are based on test scores and test scores are not the best measure of a good school. The best correlate of high test scores are the education level of the parents. Educated parents have kids who score well on tests. I'd look more for "fit" in a school, neighborhood and church. If you are engaged with your child academically and intellectually at home, then they will get a great education from you and the school.

[rfgoldstein]

If you're looking for your money to go a little farther, don't forget north of the city. If you go past North B'ham up I-65 or I-59, there are nice little up-and-coming communities that are safe and increasingly diverse. We moved from Gardendale last month (across the country; we loved G'dale), specifically in the Cottages at Fieldstown. People may think that places like that are mostly caucasian, and they still are but they're growing increasingly diverse. We had people of all colors and backgrounds on our street, and our next door neighbors were biracial, as was the couple that bought our house. Importantly, your money will go much further than someplace like Vestavia or Mountain Brook, or even down 280, and in the latter case your commute to downtown will be substantially shorter.

[MemphisMonkeyMane]

hmm...north of the city is traditionally a bunch of necks...for that matter

so is Trussville/Pinson corridor

If it were me I'd look at Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Indian Springs vicinity and perhaps Pelham (although I never thought that much of Pelham/alabaster corridor either...)

yes, Birmingham has grown, but the vestiges of moronic racism is alive and well just like Memphis, but to a lesser and more subtle degree..Birmingham has benefited by a massive influx of business types, higher education types and medical professionals over the years- if it hadn't the kluxers would still be wearing sheets- the 1960-ish mentality is only about 48 years old- it's going to take another 50 for the chitheads and kluxers to become reconstructed - haters abound- but
nice-nasty haters they are- on both sides

[AnyDayNow]

What is a "neck" or a "chithead"?

[Threestep]

900-1500 is a bit snug on 280 from The Summit to Calera. Henley was 2k 2001 for a 2br, Colonial off 280 was 1500.

[AnyDayNow]

They're looking at houses now, fortunately, since they need 3 BRs. 280 is expensive as well as traffic-heavy.

Inssweat, I'm not sure what kind of schools Montevallo has but Hoover has good ones.