Downtown/Nightlife (Birmingham, Hoover, Southside: cheap apartments, neighborhoods, buy)

[08grad]

I am pursuing a job in the Birmingham area and am wondering if it really is a place I want to live. I'm a liberal who has lived in college towns in the Midwest all my life, so Birmingham would be a WAY different experience for me.

I'm looking for housing and areas in Birmingham, and wondering about the downtown area/nightlife/entertainment/fun. Is there a downtown scene? Is there a main street with lots of bars/clubs? Is downtown Birmingham a safe place to be out at 2AM?

What are your opinions on the neighborhoods around UAB? I'm interested in zip codes 35203, 35233 and 35205. These are the Five Points South and Southside/Central City neighborhoods west of 280.

[cpg35223]

There's a lot of places throughout Southside. Four of Esquire's 100 Greatest Bars are all clustered within a few minutes of one another. I would offer that you should look at the areas around Highland Avenue EAST of 280, as well as the 35222 zip codes.

[3am green coffee]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

I would offer that you should look at the areas around Highland Avenue EAST of 280, as well as the 35222 zip codes.

I would agree with this. I've lived on both sides of the Red Mountain Expressway, and the east side definitely boasts better neighborhoods. From 5 Points toward the west gets pretty dumpy in places.

On the other hand, the rents reflect it. You can find some really, really cheap apartments in the 35205 area ($400-500 per month for 1br), whereas the Highland Park area tends to be a little more expensive (but still cheap compared to other cities). Right around 5 Points there are several apartment buildings that look quite nice from the outside and are right near the restaurants, but are dumps when you see the interior. Yet they charge as if they're in Highland Park.

You should come here, fill up your gas tank and drive around for a couple of days to see what's here. That's the best way to really get a feel for the neighborhoods.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by 3am green coffee

I would agree with this. I've lived on both sides of the Red Mountain Expressway, and the east side definitely boasts better neighborhoods. From 5 Points toward the west gets pretty dumpy in places.

On the other hand, the rents reflect it. You can find some really, really cheap apartments in the 35205 area ($400-500 per month for 1br), whereas the Highland Park area tends to be a little more expensive (but still cheap compared to other cities). Right around 5 Points there are several apartment buildings that look quite nice from the outside and are right near the restaurants, but are dumps when you see the interior. Yet they charge as if they're in Highland Park.

You should come here, fill up your gas tank and drive around for a couple of days to see what's here. That's the best way to really get a feel for the neighborhoods.

I was in the LaSalle, right across from Highlands B&G. I loved living there.

[fishmonger]

Not much nightlife downtown besides a few bars scattered here and there that generally aren't open every night, but 5 Points has five entire points of fun and Lakeview on 29th St S has a view of approximately 29 lakejoyments. Also you can buy things in Hoover, but only if you bring the appropriate karate skills in order to wrest products from overly clingy vendors. It's a bad economy and they guard their wares with their lives. Please heed these advices.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by fishmonger

Not much nightlife downtown besides a few bars scattered here and there that generally aren't open every night, but 5 Points has five entire points of fun and Lakeview on 29th St S has a view of approximately 29 lakejoyments. Also you can buy things in Hoover, but only if you bring the appropriate karate skills in order to wrest products from overly clingy vendors. It's a bad economy and they guard their wares with their lives. Please heed these advices.

However, I would offer that the downtown area is beginning to show signs of life with a few bars and restaurants having opened to accommodate the 5,000 people who now live downtown. Mind you, I'm not comparing it to Five Points or Lakeview or the rest of Southside, but it's a really encouraging development for the city. If they'd just open a grocery store downtown, I think downtown would become even more popular as a place for younger professionals to live.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

If they'd just open a grocery store downtown, I think downtown would become even more popular as a place for younger professionals to live.

Did the, uh, Western Market (not sure of the name) on Highlands Avenue close??

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Did the, uh, Western Market (not sure of the name) on Highlands Avenue close??

No, are you kidding? That place is a little gold mine. But it's really a pain-in-the-ass to reach from downtown, park, and return. I was thinking more along the lines of a good V. Richards kind of place where people can walk to.

[3am green coffee]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Did the, uh, Western Market (not sure of the name) on Highlands Avenue close??

That's not downtown.

It's also not that great a place to do your regular shopping. Their prices are high, their selection is low and they tend to stock small quantity items and shy away from the mega jug of laundry detergent and the 24 pack of Charmin. It's really just a glorified convenience store.

The most convenient legitimate grocer for downtowners is probably the Piggly Wiggly at the bottom of the Highland golf course. But that's not downtown either.

[bconngemini]

the nighlife isn't that great here