Where do Upper to Middle class black people live in Birmingham, AL? (Hoover: apartment, attorney)

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by lisawj

Thanks so much for the information. I am seeking diversity and high end living - so it looks like Hoover may be my best bet. I am looking forward to the move and hope my daughter will adjust well - in fact, me too.

Hey, good luck to you Lisa. Feel free to ask anything on this board. We hope you enjoy Birmingham as much as we do.

[optionguy]

First of all, welcome to the area.

Upper middle class black people live everywhere in Birmingham. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise.

Pelham is a diverse area as is most of Shelby County, where pelham is located. If your intention is for youe daaughter to attend public school, you may face a challenge wherever you decide to locate. I would advise you to concetrate on locating a school to best accomodate your daughter's special needs, and then locate your residence in proximity to her school.

All the best, and welcome.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by optionguy

First of all, welcome to the area.

Upper middle class black people live everywhere in Birmingham. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise.

Pelham is a diverse area as is most of Shelby County, where pelham is located. If your intention is for youe daaughter to attend public school, you may face a challenge wherever you decide to locate. I would advise you to concetrate on locating a school to best accomodate your daughter's special needs, and then locate your residence in proximity to her school.

All the best, and welcome.

That's a good point. Mountain Brook's special needs programs are tops.

[greasycheeseburgers]

This might be a little Duh!; but www.greatschools.net will give you oodles of options. It has private and public schools. You can see schools ranked by test scores, teachers, students and ethnicity. It also has the gov't/state rating of the schools, as well as parent written reviews.

Good Luck!

[DangitGirl]

I would suggest if you are going to be working in Pelham, I would move in that direction... There are some really beautiful neighborhoods out there and it is close to lot's of things to do. I would go online to some of the Jefferson Co.; Shelby co., Even Springville. See the comparable prices and take virtual tours of houses and neighborhoods!! Good luck and hope you make lot's of great friends when you get here!!!

[lisawj]

I've selected a home in the 35344 area code - my daughter will attend Bumpus Middle School. I am looking forward to the move. It is a great house. I noticed the demographics in that area code seemed to be less diverse (2006 info) and although I am use to being around a not so diverse area - being from Seattle - and now a neighborhood in Charlotte, NC. yet and still I am nervous. Intellectually, I know that everywhere there is racism, etc. - and that Birmingham - if not Hoover is a diverse area. Yet and still, I am still slightly nervous. Truthfully, I think it is the stereotypical perpections that affect my emotionally driven concerns. I want to simply live in peace and I hope my accepting this job and moving will turn out fabulous. I ever so appreciate the feedback from everyone - it meant so very much. And it helped bunches.

[jakabedy]

I think your new zip is probably 35244. I think you'll enjoy Hoover as it isn't a "one size fits all" sort of place and I think Bumpus is a great place for your daughter. I think all anyone anywhere asks for is a good neighbor, and I have no doubt that is what you will be. I hope your move is uneventful and you get settled in quickly in the 'ham!

[Threestep]

Lisa you are turning a mole hill into a mountain. Concentrate on your new job and getting your daughter aclimated.
You will run into sour-grapes no matter where you live. Deal with them when it happens. Can you avoid them? Unfortunately there is no deserted island within commuting distance from Pelham. Please remember it goes both ways.
Your initial post "upper middle class blacks" really upset me. This is 2009. You are moving to AL for personal reasons. Accept their way of life and you will be surprised how easy the transition will be.
Check Alys Stephens for 2009-2010 season's performances.

[cpg35223]

Well, Lisa, I know that your experiences will be positive. We have found that people in Birmingham are very embracing. The key is to step out of your own comfort zone and seek out friends. Meet your neighbors, participate in school activities, and experience a lot of the amenities of the city. If you are a person of faith, you'll find that local churches provide a great way to meet people and forge friendships in a hurry. If that doesn't appeal to you, however, there are any number of other interest groups around town where you can meet people who share your interests. Invest your time and energy in the process, and I bet all your reservations will prove ill-founded.

Here are two great websites if you are looking for things to do around town:

activeculture.info
blackandwhite.com

Another thing to keep in mind. You will be out in the suburbs, far removed from most of the city's creative class. However, you'll find that there's an active, involving community in music, drama, arts, etc., in the Southside section of town. Also, I know that there are budding movements in Hoover, centered around the Hoover library. So I would check those out as well.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Lisa you are turning a mole hill into a mountain. Concentrate on your new job and getting your daughter aclimated.
You will run into sour-grapes no matter where you live. Deal with them when it happens. Can you avoid them? Unfortunately there is no deserted island within commuting distance from Pelham. Please remember it goes both ways.
Your initial post "upper middle class blacks" really upset me. This is 2009. You are moving to AL for personal reasons. Accept their way of life and you will be surprised how easy the transition will be.
Check Alys Stephens for 2009-2010 season's performances.

Oh, 3S, don't be so fractious. I think most people who move to this market don't know much about it, and most of their impressions are fed by whatever they've seen in old news reports, etc. etc. I fully understand her uneasiness. I also think that she'll be pleasantly surprised, even gratified, at how nice people are here. All it takes is finding the right communities of shared interest, just like any other city in America.