Moving To Bham - Tell Me About The Hood (Birmingham: low income, fit in)

[sandysan]

Hello, I am considering moving to BHAM I am from Rochester, NY which is a declining city, I am looking to move to a place that can offer more opportunities and also looking forward to a more slow pace. I am also looking for a city that has plenty of family oriented activities and more on the diverse side. I hear that BHAM is that city. I am also in the banking field which I see that AmSouth looks like there are plenty of jobs. My question is which neighborhoods should you stay away from in BHAM because from my research it says that the crime rate it through the roof. Why is the crime so high? is it gangs? meth? crack? or is it just in certain areas? please help me out. also which neighborhoods are considered to be "THE HOOD".

[teachcal]

Hi Sandy,

Don't worry... the unsafe areas are within the city limits. Few people live there but live in suburbia (each is its own city) and commutes.

Look up the crime rates for Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Pelham, and Mountain Brook. This will help you sleep better at night. Commuting from Hoover to downtown Bham during rush hour is about 30 minutes.

Birmingham is a gorgeous city. You will not believe its beauty. The place is all about family and church. It is the old south wrapped up in a big city.
Enjoy!!

Theresa

[Bbluefish]

Hell Sandy!
Birmingham is just the most beautiful city. Think of the burroughs of New York (but much prettier) ....Birmingham's burroughs would be Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, & the 280 area.

The 280 area is made of various neighborhoods such as Meadow Brook, Brook Highland, & Greystone...all lovely......the proximity to anything you need on a daily basis is all right there....so wonderful it can't be described!!!!

My hubby & I relocated to the Mid-Atlantic 6 months ago...we love our home but let me say, the charm & beauty of a city like Birmingham with all of it's amenities does not exist here.

You will not only love the hills & topography, but the shopping & dining has something to offer everyone. Let us know how you enjoy your visit & what specific questions you have as a result.

[fishmonger]

is confined to the poorer areas of the "metropolis"... Birmingham was unable to annex most of the wealthier areas so the crime rate appears massive because the city limits happen to encompass most of the poorest and most crowded areas of the metro, but crime in the urban area as a whole is about average. There are many nice areas of the inner city, mostly to the south and southeast of downtown and scattered about in other regions, but the student body of the public school system is very impoverished so you'll probably want to move out to the suburbs somewhere if you have kids to send to public schools... the Birmingham area (largely and unfortunately due to de facto economic and racial segregation) has public school systems among both the best in the country and the worst in the country.

[DaddyJ]

I was born and raised and lived in a small town very near Birmingham. For me to describe or give an opinion would be tough because my perspective would be very different from many other people. The big factor for how you fit in around Birmingham and how it fits you can be extremely diverse and conditioned on your racial, social, financial, educational, and religous bearing. I'm sure most of the USA has it's own issues and racism is prevalent everywhere. For the most part Birmingham and Alabama is no different than any comparable area in the USA as far as racism goes. Prior to civil rights things were definitely segregated and for the most part black/whites got along with absolutely no trouble and there was no hatred as depicted today. The situation was a status quo that was accepted and a way of life for virtually everyone. My observation is that among the younger children they play together and become friends regardless of race. By their teenage years they migrate to form groups of their peers & social groups... you'll find all kinds of situations in any public school. Many of the county schools near Birmingham are heavily black. Inner city schools are almost devoid of white students and cater to black american culture and minority government programs. Much of the racial disparity and racist activities within Birmingham are self-serving and self-imposed segregation of young black people and black politics. The areas around Birmingham in a sense get "whiter" the further you get out of Birmingham. I'm not writing this as a racist or with a racial opinion but only as an observation. For the most part black and white people and all races get along with very little problem with few exceptions and those are mostly in areas where the schools are at least 50% black where occassional racial incidents flare up. Most of the violent crimes in the area are drug/gang related and in the area of old, low income, black neighborhoods or projects. The "over the mountain" area has people from all walks of life and the traffic congestion on 280 is a political football and unbearable at times. If you are a professional person then this is the area you would likely find your equals. Mountain Brook is pretty much looked upon as an oasis of the wealthy. Out northwest of Birmingham are some older communities that have not been re-developed and the property prices are 1/2 the price in Shelby County with a taste of small southern town and country. Adamsville, Graysville, Brookside, Gardendale and points north & west have many very good communities, affordable properties and much less congestion and are still very convenient to all the offerings of Birmingham. Drugs are a concern everywhere and are very prevalent in the rural communities although not as visible as in the big city. Wages are significantly higher in and around Birmigham as well as the cost of living. I own a rental house in Jefferson County which is valued 20% less than where I'm now living. That property has a property tax that is more than 400% higher than what I'm paying for a rural home in a neighboring county which is valued 125% higher. Next year I'll be qualified for a homestead exemption which will make it even lower.

[wnbs]

Shelby County is the fastest growing county in Alabama. There are some very expensive houses around Hiway 280 area in Shelby County. However, if you don't want to get in all the traffic around Hiway 280, look at Calera, AL which is in Shelby County right off I-65 and 30 minutes from downtown Birmingham. We have new growth, a new high school, a new library, several parks, etc. There is a sub-division called Waterford which has a huge pool, tennis court, a huge stocked lake where fishing is allowed and a playground for the kiddies. The prices in the sub-division are varied and separated by the various areas. Some house are over $200,000 and then there are lower priced houses too. Also, there is a new sub-division in Calera called Timberline who offers a golf course with club house, etc. Call a realtor like Remax and they will be happy to give you a tour. I love the Birmingham area. There are lots of entertainment for the whole family. Also, we have some of the best doctors at UAB (University of Alabama) and the adjunct Kirkland Clinic which offers doctors in all fields. Check it out. God bless.

[Mestizo]

Originally Posted by sandysan

Hello, I am considering moving to BHAM I am from Rochester, NY which is a declining city, I am looking to move to a place that can offer more opportunities and also looking forward to a more slow pace. I am also looking for a city that has plenty of family oriented activities and more on the diverse side. I hear that BHAM is that city. I am also in the banking field which I see that AmSouth looks like there are plenty of jobs. My question is which neighborhoods should you stay away from in BHAM because from my research it says that the crime rate it through the roof. Why is the crime so high? is it gangs? meth? crack? or is it just in certain areas? please help me out. also which neighborhoods are considered to be "THE HOOD".

defanitly Fairfield, and North Birmingham are the ghetto.
my grandmother grew up in Fairfield and now she is scared to go back there.
i've never seen more gangs or criminals than in the Birmingham area.
there are only 1 or 2 neighborhoods in Birmingham that aren't ****ed up.
seems like everyday somebody was getting killed.
you'll be able to tell which areas are ghetto and which aint.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Mestizo

defanitly Fairfield, and North Birmingham are the ghetto.
my grandmother grew up in Fairfield and now she is scared to go back there.
i've never seen more gangs or criminals than in the Birmingham area.
there are only 1 or 2 neighborhoods in Birmingham that aren't ****ed up.
seems like everyday somebody was getting killed.
you'll be able to tell which areas are ghetto and which aint.

Add Ensley to your "stay away" list.