Southside area of Birmingham (Homewood, Mountain Brook: real estate, apartment, to rent)

[pvjd]

Great job describing the houses. I always struggle when it comes to neighborhood architechture, but you are spot on with your descriptions.

[vinbigD]

Fantastic information everyone! Thanks so much!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by vinbigD

Fantastic information everyone! Thanks so much!

Did you make a visit? What did you learn?

[vinbigD]

well, i accepted the job and will likely be there to scope it out next week. I keep reading that traffic is terrible but i can't imagine it could be worse than Dallas. Can i ask about a place called Gardendale? Any thoughts on that? Someone mentioned it to me.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by vinbigD

well, i accepted the job and will likely be there to scope it out next week. I keep reading that traffic is terrible but i can't imagine it could be worse than Dallas. Can i ask about a place called Gardendale? Any thoughts on that? Someone mentioned it to me.

Well, first tell us the general area of your job.

But given your criteria, I can't imagine that you'd want to live in Gardendale. That's no knock on the community, but if you're really interested in diversity, art galleries, coffee houses, nice locally-owned cafés, etc., Gardendale just not the place to be.

[vinbigD]

I will be working in the 119 area. I can't think of the other highway but i think it is somewhere close to St. Vincents. What area is that considered?

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by vinbigD

I will be working in the 119 area. I can't think of the other highway but i think it is somewhere close to St. Vincents. What area is that considered?

Well, St. Vincent's is on Southside, but their clinic at 119 is down in Greystone about 10 miles down 280 from Southside.

If you're at St. Vincent's hospital proper, then Southside will prove ideal for you, since it is right there in the middle of what will be your neighborhood. In fact, choose your house carefully and you will be able to stroll or bike to work. If it's the 119 Clinic, it will be a bit of a drive, but against rush hour traffic both ways. Given your previous thoughts on living in a diverse neighborhood, I can't imagine you wanting to live near the 119 Clinic, which is about as whitebread as you can get outside of an Osmond Family Christmas Special.

[vinbigD]

Shoot! My corporate office is closer to St. Vincent's One Nineteen. I remember seeing a Greystone Legacy gated community. It did seem pretty homogenous. I guess I'll be relegated to a ten mile commute. Although, I drive 30 miles (with traffic) now. It's not so bad. What zip codes are associated with the neighborhoods discussed on this thread? Thanks!!!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by vinbigD

Shoot! My corporate office is closer to St. Vincent's One Nineteen. I remember seeing a Greystone Legacy gated community. It did seem pretty homogenous. I guess I'll be relegated to a ten mile commute. Although, I drive 30 miles (with traffic) now. It's not so bad. What zip codes are associated with the neighborhoods discussed on this thread? Thanks!!!

35205, 35222, and parts of 35213. The very southern part of 35212 also has Crestwood, which is a great neighborhood, too.

Your ten-mile commute would be against rush hour traffic, so it shouldn't be so bad. And, you're right, the area near your office is very whitebread.

[vinbigD]

Do any of these areas have garages? My current company wants me to work out my full notice and now i don't know when i will get there before the move. Ugh! Would you say craigslist is the best way to find homes for rent or a realtor?