Possible move to Birmingham.. questions (Hoover, Homewood: rent, condos, houses)

[dw1045]

Hello everyone!

There is a possibility that my fiance and I will be relocated to Birmingham. We are a mid 20s/early 30s couple with no children. We currently live in Atlanta and enjoy the faster pace of a large city. What areas of Birmingham would we enjoy the most? We are not very conservative or religious- will this cause a problem for making friends? For anyone that has lived in Atlanta- what are the main differences between the two cities? Thanks!

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by dw1045

Hello everyone!

There is a possibility that my fiance and I will be relocated to Birmingham. We are a mid 20s/early 30s couple with no children. We currently live in Atlanta and enjoy the faster pace of a large city. What areas of Birmingham would we enjoy the most? We are not very conservative or religious- will this cause a problem for making friends? For anyone that has lived in Atlanta- what are the main differences between the two cities? Thanks!

Having lived in both, I can tell you they are like day and night.

Atlanta is more like a Northern City, (I was born and raised in NY). Traffic, people wise and fast paced. Birmingham is a slower paced city, more layed back with friendlier people and has way less traffic. Cost of living is a little less here as well.

If you would like to maintain the fast paced city like style of living, you may wish to try SOHO or just off the 280 corridor.

You are going to get tons of people here telling you what placed are good and bad, and for the most part, it will be good advice, but be sure to do your own homework first.

What is bringing your to Birmingham? Did you plan to buy a home or rent and either way, what is your price point, this will also be a big factor in where you may be able to live.

[dw1045]

We would be moving because of a job transfer. Most likely we would rent first and see if the city is a right fit for us and where in the city we feel the most comfortable before buying . We are currently paying about 1600/mo in rent to live in midtown Atlanta but we are flexible. We enjoy being near to restaurants, parks (we have 2 dogs), bars, museums right now and would like to find a similar area in Birmingham.

[sedriskell]

There are some great new condos that are going up in downtown Birmingham, they are also renovating quite a few older buildings into condos. As far as safety goes, the CBD is one of the safest places in Birmingham proper, it's just when you get into the fringes that it gets bad.

If you intend on living in Jefferson County, how conservative you are or how liberal you are will not affect your ability to make friends, Jefferson is very much a more liberal part of Alabama.

I think you'll be surprised, the transition between the two cities would be quite easy, the main difference is commute time, and considerably fewer people.

Good luck!

[ugadawg35244]

Ok I was born here and lived in ATL. If you like Virginia Highlands, go for Highland Park or Forest Park. I you want West Paces, live in Mtn Brook in the Redmont area. If you like Marietta, live in Hoover or Vestavia. I you like Douglasville, live in Alabaster/Pelham. If you like midtown, the closest thing is downtown/Highland Park.

[ewingf87]

I vote for Pelham, my current home. The cost of living is low. The police / fire are great and there is wonderful golf, world class tennis, a busy amphitheater and lots of green. It's quiet at night and lively in the day. It takes 20 minutes to get to the airport and 10 to the Galleria Mall. To call the Galleria a "mall" is not to do it justice. I'm in Iraq as I write this and the people of Pelham are very supportive.

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by ewingf87

I vote for Pelham, my current home. The cost of living is low. The police / fire are great and there is wonderful golf, world class tennis, a busy amphitheater and lots of green. It's quiet at night and lively in the day. It takes 20 minutes to get to the airport and 10 to the Galleria Mall. To call the Galleria a "mall" is not to do it justice. I'm in Iraq as I write this and the people of Pelham are very supportive.

ewing is correct, Pelham is a nice place to live, however, I was just wondering, what route do you take to the airport that it only takes you 20 Minutes from Pelham??? Unless you are talking about the dead of night?

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by ewingf87

I vote for Pelham, my current home. The cost of living is low. The police / fire are great and there is wonderful golf, world class tennis, a busy amphitheater and lots of green. It's quiet at night and lively in the day. It takes 20 minutes to get to the airport and 10 to the Galleria Mall. To call the Galleria a "mall" is not to do it justice. I'm in Iraq as I write this and the people of Pelham are very supportive.

I'm not dissing Pelham per se, but I don't think that's what they're looking for. These are people who are looking for restaurants, parks and lots of things to do. They want to be in the middle of it all, not way out in the suburbs.

[dw1045]

Thank UGAdawg- thats exactly the information I was trying to find out! We are visiting in a few weekends so we will hopefully be able to check out a few of the neighborhoods.

[ugadawg35244]

I would also check out Homewood. I have known several people from Atlanta area who love it. don't know exactly what to compare it to- maybe Morningside? Smaller houses for the money, but a decent mix of liberal/conservative. It has a family atmosphere, and has a very charming little downtown. Here's some places I suggest you hit :
Journey 1 not in order but with addresses: 5 Points South- 2031 11th Avenue South, 35205. downtown Homewood, 1716 29th Av S, HOMEWOOD, Al (not Bham, AL but very nearby) drive down Highland AV, from 2700 block to 3200 block South, Forest Park; Clairmont Av at 39th St. english village down into Mtn Brook Village; 2003 Cahaba Road down the hill south to corner of Cahaba and Montevallo Roads.
Journey 2: Hwy 280 South to the Summit Shopping Center, at the corner of 280 and I 459, option of continuing East/South several miles to Greystone area or take I 459 West to Hoover, and get off on Hwy 31 and look around Hoover. take Hwy 31 N into Vestavia, and notice "town center" with Rave movies and starbucks. this will eventually lead back to Homewood.