Move to Birmingham

[jakabedy]

Gosh, I'm not upset. And I'm not one who said "stay away from the Bessemer area." I'm just one who seeks clarity. And for the sake of clarity, you did refer to Bessemer directly (not the "area") in your post:

Originally Posted by Back Again

Bessemer IS one of the fastest growing places in the Birmingham area and you can find home with acreage with in your price.
Best of luck

If one is to read that sentence, one thinks that Bessemer -- which is an incorporated city (Bessemer schools) -- is what you are describing as fast-growing, full of acreage and sporting million-dollar homes. Now, I have lived in the B'ham area for 22 years, so I know what you really mean is the unincorporated area around Bessemer (Jefferson County Schools). But someone from Memphis or Chicago most certainly does not know this.

I don't understand if you are being intentionally obtuse, or if you just don't get that the distinction is important. It also troubles me that you are asserting some sort of tit-for-tat, in that you'll be more clear about the distinctions as long as others are, too. I don't think that is serving you, the posters on this board who are considering a move to our area, or your profession in the least.

[Cbuch54]

Originally Posted by blueboo1024

Hi

I would appreciate some feedback. My family might be relocating to Birmingham from Memphis. We have been in Memphis a Year. I would like to know how you feel about Memphis versus Birmingham. Also, We are looking for a great school district, but also a home with a little land (3 acres on up)

Thanks so much for your input!!!!!

We don't have a Beal street. We stayed at the Peabody when we went to an Ole Miss game. Downtowns have similar issues. Go to Schooldigger.com for reviews of school systems. Vestavia is excellent. But land is pricey. The Oak Mountain School system and Hoover are also good. You could get your acreage in McCalla. Will you have to commute to town? If not, Chelsea is lovely and there's land available. Also, Indian Springs. Check out the schools.

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by jakabedy

And for the sake of clarity, you did refer to Bessemer directly (not the "area") in your post:

.

You are correct, I did state that and I was wrong, from now on I will state "The Bessemer (35022) area"

I'm not being obtuse, nor am I going for a tit for tat, but it does bother me that no one says anything to the ones who generalize about the Bessemer area, nor does anyone say anything when someone asked where to live and gives a budget lower then the Hoover, Mountain Brook or the Inverness areas will allow for, or land requirement does not match those areas, yet all you ever hear is Hoover, Mountain Brook or the Inverness areas are the places to live. Yes, Hoover, Mountain Brook or the Inverness area are great places to live, with good schools, but it is not for everybody and does not match everyones criteria!

For the record, the Bessemer (35022) area, is a nice place to live, fast growing and still has good priced homes with some land. The Bessemer (35022) area is only about 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, about 15 minutes from Hoover and about 25 minutes from the Mercedes Plant.

[jakabedy]

Thanks for your response. Not to harp on the issue, but I really think you might be better off describing the unincorporated area around Exits 6 and 1 of 459 as "McCalla area." It makes more sense than "Bessemer area" and more people will now what you mean. Once you get on into Helena, and likely even Shelby County -- no longer unincorporated Jefferson County.

[allinaday]

Just so everyone is clear, I am speaking of the southern part of Bham that includes Montevallo, Wilsonville, Calera, and Columbiana. You can find houses here that have several acres for under $250. There are still farms around that part of town. Also, parts of Wilsonville are in the Chelsea School district which is very well respected. The other towns are part of the Shelby County School district.
Also, there are some great private schools around. You can check out : http://www.shelbycountyalabama.com/

I live in Calera, two miles from I65 (The main interstate here) and can get most places in 45 minutes or less. I also try to promote the part of town I live in. You will not find many other professions that are as passionate about 'standing up for where they live' as Realtors. We support ourselves by serving the public. We are also extremely involved in the community with fund raisers, community activites, and supporting those in need. We love our communities, and we want others to feel at home and 'safe', there as well. There are rules we must follow when asked if an area is safe. Safety to you and safety to someone else may not be the same thing. What we can do is lay out facts, appreciation values, and direct our clients to other media that reports on crime and school ratings.
You really have to get to know your cleints to understnad their needs. Not everyone is 'suited' to Vestivia or Hoover.

best of luck.

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by allinaday

Just so everyone is clear, I am speaking of the southern part of Bham that includes Montevallo, Wilsonville, Calera, and Columbiana. You can find houses here that have several acres for under $250. There are still farms around that part of town. Also, parts of Wilsonville are in the Chelsea School district which is very well respected. The other towns are part of the Shelby County School district.
Also, there are some great private schools around. You can check out : http://www.shelbycountyalabama.com/

I live in Calera, two miles from I65 (The main interstate here) and can get most places in 45 minutes or less. I also try to promote the part of town I live in. You will not find many other professions that are as passionate about 'standing up for where they live' as Realtors. We support ourselves by serving the public. We are also extremely involved in the community with fund raisers, community activites, and supporting those in need. We love our communities, and we want others to feel at home and 'safe', there as well. There are rules we must follow when asked if an area is safe. Safety to you and safety to someone else may not be the same thing. What we can do is lay out facts, appreciation values, and direct our clients to other media that reports on crime and school ratings.
You really have to get to know your cleints to understnad their needs. Not everyone is 'suited' to Vestivia or Hoover.

best of luck.

Well Said