HELP! Relocating to Birmingham from Illinois (Hoover, Homewood: best neighborhoods, spring break, apartment complex)

[tray5485]

Hello. I just received a full scholarship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to complete my Master's degree. This so far has been my first (and only) scholarship offer, and there is no way that I'm going to pass up this opportunity. However, I am very nervous about moving to Birmingham. I have lived in Illinois (21 years in Chicago, 3 years down-state) my entire life. The only thoughts that come to mind when I think of Birmingham are civil rights movements, and a variety of events that highlight inequality to blacks. However, I know that it would be ignorant and foolish of me to assume that that is actually the case now, but nevertheless, that reputation (although its about 50 years old now) still lingers in my head.

So my question is this, what will be a great place for me to live, not too far from the University, and my stats are as follows:

1. I have a 3 year old son, so safety and nearby childcare are most important.

2.I don't want to live too far from the University (20 minute commute, max..)

3. I'm looking for a quiet, well kept community (middle to upper middle class).

4. Because I am a single mother, I feel more comfortable renting apartments (so that I have many neighbors nearby) and I am looking to spend up to $800/month.

5. Lastly, if in the event it does matter, I am African-American.

So, forgive me guys if I seem naive, but I've been a Northerner my whole life, and its just a totally different world, you know. So, if anyone can recommend me to any of the best neighborhoods based on my criteria in your opinion, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I anxious to hear your overall opinions of Birmingham in general. Thanks in advance guys!

-tray5485

[katepa]

I just moved from the Birmingham area. Homewood is a great area. Also Vestavia Hills and Hoover. My son attended shades-cahaba...great school. I was very happy there. There is a great park in Homewood where they hold all kinds of festivals. You don't have to worry about any civil rights concerns...trust me. Please take this advice...do not move close to the campus. Trust me on that one. Make sure your kid is not in a birmingham city school district. As long as you are in Hoover, Vestavia hills or Homewood you are fine.

[3am green coffee]

As long as you know your place and don't get all uppity, you won't have a problem.

No, I'm kidding. KIDDING.

First off, congratulations on your scholarship. UAB in particular is probably more "integrated" than the other major schools in the state, and it's a decent school (depending on the program you're pursuing). I doubt you will feel uncomfortable there.

As for Birmingham, it's not going to live up to your preconceived notions. I saw more overt racism when I lived in NYC than growing up just outside of Birmingham. We've left most of that crap behind us. That's not to say we don't still have some racist rednecks around, but they tend to grumble to themselves and don't bother anybody.

I would echo what katepa said about the schools. Birmingham schools do not inspire confidence. There are plenty of apartment complexes in the cities to the south of Birmingham that have better schools and will probably fit your budget and commuting requirements. Homewood is nearest, with the closest complexes giving you about a ten minute commute to UAB. Vestavia is next, then Hoover. Depending on what part of the city you live in and the time of day, Hoover would be a 20 to 30 minute commute to the campus downtown. And you'll find nary a lynch mob in any of those communities.

You could actually live within walking distance of campus and probably pay less rent. I do. But you would then be in Birmingham's school district. I don't think twice about walking around over here after dark, and neither do all the people I see on the street walking their dogs and jogging. But people from the suburbs consider where I live to be less safe. I doubt somebody coming from Chicago would find my neighborhood or the area around UAB the least bit intimidating.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by tray5485

The only thoughts that come to mind when I think of Birmingham are civil rights movements, and a variety of events that highlight inequality to blacks. However, I know that it would be ignorant and foolish of me to assume that that is actually the case now, but nevertheless, that reputation (although its about 50 years old now) still lingers in my head.

You can thank the media for that, they've done a great job of plastering that into people's head's over and over again like a broken record. Truth be known, one of the worst race riots in American history happened right there in your own state if Illinois (E. St Louis), not Birmingham.

[cpg35223]

I moved here from Chicago and, I have to admit, the same thoughts ran through my head.

I'm not going to tell you that Southerners, black and white, all around and sing Kumbaya all day, but I simply was not expecting the fairly harmonious atmosphere. I would offer that things are a lot better in Birmingham than in Chicago in a lot of ways. And I heard the n-word more at Thanksgiving in Cleveland than I've heard in 15 years in Birmingham. Interestingly, the Over The Mountain schools, which 40 years ago were bastions of white flight, now are pretty integrated without any trouble at all. The lone exception is lily-white Mountain Brook, which is also beginning to have black kids enroll, with no problems whatsoever.

[AnyDayNow]

Congratulations on the full scholarship! What a wonderful opportunity, one you shouldn't pass up.

I agree that the media does not necessarily present reality; reality doesn't make for interesting stories. Discord and strife get people's attention so those kinds of stories are what get air time.

The reality is that people are people. Some are nice, some are cranky. No one is going to care that you are African-American. You will not stand out for that. Now, if you were to walk around in public naked, you would stand out for that, but I suspect that isn't in your agenda. Being here for an education and being a single parent wouldn't leave a lot of time for that.

I agree with the posters that you should consider Homewood or Vestavia. There is an apt complex that is near Hwy 280 (which is a traffic nightmare but you wouldn't be going far on it, and it's a very direct commute within your time range) which is in the Vestavia school district. When I was looking at apts it wasn't horribly priced but was in a VERY nice neighborhood. The name has changed since then and I can't recall what the new name is, but it is off Rocky Ridge Road. I do not know much about the complex nowadays but I do know the area is very nice and the school district is top-notch.

Living in Hoover could be pushing your desired 20-min commute, depending on time of day and where in Hoover you could be living. The best way to know for sure is to do some test runs. You'll have to factor in cost, access to day care, etc when considering where to live, so this will have to be one of those factors that only you can know how you feel about it. There are an abundance of apt complexes in Hoover.

Depending on how long you plan to stay in Birmingham (if you might be here long enough for your son to go to school), you may want to reside outside of the Bimingham city school district. Of course, there is always the option of moving later when he is old enough to go to school, if you do decide to live in Bham.

Stay away from the Inverness area (further down Hwy 280 than the Rocky Ridge Rd apts I suggested above, past where Hwy 280 intersects with I-459) unless you want at least an hour commute, unless you are sure your classes will be at either unusual times or will take you against the flow of traffic. I lived there 10 yrs ago and the commute was an hour minimum, of a lot of sitting still in traffic. It isn't as much the distance to cover as the amount of traffic and lights that make that commute so long.

So when are you coming down to look around?

[tray5485]

Thank you all VERY much for all of your help and very valuable information, I really appreciate it. I feel ALOT better now about my decision. I plan to come for a campus tour and to check out the city during spring break (which is the second week of March). This should be a very interesting experience for me!

[cassy1]

Welcome to the beautiful area of Birmingham. My husband and I moved here a couple of months ago, and I must admit I had your fears also (originally from Michigan). It is fantastic here, wonderful people, nice apartment buildings and anything you need is within a 15 minute drive. Traffic is the only downfall. I live in Hoover and work in downtown Birmingham and I have on had days when it takes me 40 minutes to get to work and one time it took me an hour to get home. I have found that I adjusted to the travel time and don't think a thing about it. Our apartment complex is located by the big mall in Hoover and we are in a very safe, friendly, and quiet neighborhood. I have also been told that the other areas mentioned above are quiet and safe too.
You can PM me if I can help in any manner, but honestly it is wonderful here.

[valentine1110]

Not to worry you will be surprised at the friendly warm feeling you will have once in Birmingham. But if you are to travel to some of the areas that are outside of the Birmingham area this may not be the same. In regards to your apartment search I
we lived for a few months in Colonial Grand at Liberty Park and were very satisfied, you will have to travel some on 280 but not a bad commute. I believe you will be able to find the price range your looking for in a nice community. Renting is very affordable in Birmingham.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by valentine1110

Not to worry you will be surprised at the friendly warm feeling you will have once in Birmingham. But if you are to travel to some of the areas that are outside of the Birmingham area this may not be the same. In regards to your apartment search I
we lived for a few months in Colonial Grand at Liberty Park and were very satisfied, you will have to travel some on 280 but not a bad commute. I believe you will be able to find the price range your looking for in a nice community. Renting is very affordable in Birmingham.

Hi, Valentine. If I recall, you had some of the same worries moving to the market, didn't you? I'm glad things have turned out so well for you.