Moving/Opening a Business in Birmingham Area (Hoover, Bessemer: real estate, houses)

[ccrunner]

Looking at moving to the Birmingham area, more specifically Hoover/Helena, to open a personal training studio within the area. Would love any information you can provide both on the business side as well as personal side. We are looking in the Southwest area of Birmingham. We are a young couple, looking to spend between 250-350,000 for a home, newer-construction preferred, in a family-oriented/young professional area. We are also looking at Colorado Springs, CO and Austin, TX. We are both from Florida (GATOR GRADS), and lived here all of our lives, but are looking to move somewhere which offers more seasonal weather as well as a place which offers outdoor and recreational activities. As far as opening a business, we are looking at opening in an established market but still growing. Are people in Birmingham area, interested in a personal training studio, which would offer private and group training classes, as well as fitness boot camps and such? It seems the market is there. I do know there is a franchise personal training company there, but we would be opening a private company and would be looking to tap the new development that is occurring. How are organized sports for kids in the area? Are they big into team sports (Pop-Warner, Little League, Soccer, etc) or more individual sports? While we are young and currently have no children, where we open a business is where we plan to start and raise a family, so family issues, such as sports, schools, etc are very important. Any input you can provide, would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by ccrunner

Looking at moving to the Birmingham area, more specifically Hoover/Helena, to open a personal training studio within the area. Would love any information you can provide both on the business side as well as personal side. We are looking in the Southwest area of Birmingham. We are a young couple, looking to spend between 250-350,000 for a home, newer-construction preferred, in a family-oriented/young professional area. We are also looking at Colorado Springs, CO and Austin, TX. We are both from Florida (GATOR GRADS), and lived here all of our lives, but are looking to move somewhere which offers more seasonal weather as well as a place which offers outdoor and recreational activities. As far as opening a business, we are looking at opening in an established market but still growing. Are people in Birmingham area, interested in a personal training studio, which would offer private and group training classes, as well as fitness boot camps and such? It seems the market is there. I do know there is a franchise personal training company there, but we would be opening a private company and would be looking to tap the new development that is occurring. How are organized sports for kids in the area? Are they big into team sports (Pop-Warner, Little League, Soccer, etc) or more individual sports? While we are young and currently have no children, where we open a business is where we plan to start and raise a family, so family issues, such as sports, schools, etc are very important. Any input you can provide, would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

there is a lot of new construction in Helena/Pelham/Hoover [west side]/McCalla in your price range. I would definitely look at areas off of South Shades Crest Road in Hoover and Eastern Valley Road in McCalla. Also, off of Higway 150 and Morgan Road, again in the Hoover/Bessemer/McCalla area. Since you will be starting a family, I would stay out of the Bessemer city limits. Don't really know a whole lot about the schools in Jefferson County these days, but Hoover's are very good, especially on the west side of town.

A few specific neighborhoods to look at specifically are Lake Cyrus, Deer Valley, and Ross Bridge in Hoover. All are very nice, though Lake Cyrus and Ross Bridge start in the mid 200s and go to over a million. Like I said, lovely places though. There are also a slew (literally a dozen or more) neighborhoods off of South Shades Crest Rd that are going up.

I have no idea as to the personal training business market in the area and whether there is already a saturated market there or wheter the area needs more personal trainers. I will say that the area is definitely growing.

s far as outdoor rec, you wouldn't be too terribly far from Oak Mountain State Park to your east and Tannehill State Park to your west/southwest, both of which offer a good amount of recreational activities.

There is plenty of shopping and dining in the central parts of Hoover along Highway 150 and Highway 31, which is about 10 minutes from South Shades Crest Road and maybe 15-20 minutes from areas a bit west/southwest of that.

As far as team sports, it goes without saying there is an abundance. Hoover is a very family oriented community (as are several others in the area) and they all have lots of rec leagues... so tons of little league basketball/baseball/football/soccer.

If you have any other questions, please ask!

EDIT: I'm also reasonably familiar with the Austin, TX area. It is also a great area to live, though if I was picking a place to raise a family, I'd probably take Birmingham ove rAustin. If however you do go towards Austin, I think Round Rock, TX or Pflugerville, TX north of the city would probably be one of your best bets. Don't know anything about Colorado Springs!

[rgolden12]

ccrunner,

I own 2 of the 3 local personal training studios with the franchise in Hoover. Are you still interested in moving to Birmingham-Hoover? I could offer some assistance in the living area and business. Hoover is a great area for sports and schools. The area prides itself on academics as well as its sports programs.

I opened in Hoover because of the growth potential in the near future. As far as business competition, it seems to be getting greater and greater as fitness becomes more popular in Birmingham. Our business has gianed a great reputation in the community for personal training. I now have a little one and I'm currently looking at selling one if you guys are interested. We can talk details if interested.

[Bravo35223]

This is a good place to live and raise a family. Gold's Gym is a formidible competitor with three huge facilities in the area. I would guess that you would want to scout them out and find an area away from their facilities....

But for that matter, you're going to find GG in virtually every major metro in the country...Colorado Springs and Austin as well...

BTW - there are plenty of Gator alumni here....I see the tags all the time and they have get togethers at the local sports bars to watch their games on TV...so you wouldn't be without your compatriots if you lived in the Ham....

[gustygulas]

The Hoover and Helena areas are excellent for living and business. I am not sure if there are any personal training businesses in Helena but I would look for more info. You may want to look at the McCalla area for your business.

There are many new developments in your price range and you will have plenty to choose from. You can go to Alabama Real Estate - Home Search - Birmingham Hoover Trussville website. This is an excellent website and you can search by many parameters and also can save houses and searches. Let me know if I can help you out!