Springville or Chelsea? (Birmingham: house, high school, suburb)

[blueboo1024]

Hi

We are relocating to Birmingham and we are looking at Springville and Chelsea. It seems both have great schools. We did hear about the traffic coming out of Chelsea though. We are looking for at least an acre of land. Any thoughts on these areas???

We really appreciate any input.

[jakabedy]

Where will you be working? Chelsea is definitely the more "in" location as it is close to all the retail on 280 and has Shelby County Schools. Chelsea never really was a "small town" but more of a wide spot on Highway 280. Now it is essentially an outlying suburb of Birmingham. But if the job is downtown, the commute will be brutal.

Springville still has the rural, small town, close-knit feel although it has more and more become a bedroom community for Birmingham. There is one Jr. High and one High School (St. Clair County schools) and it would be a more low-key setting for your family.

If you are able, I would plan a visit the Birmingham during the week and drive a fake commute morning and evening from each preferred area. That's the only way to really know what you're in for.

[blueboo1024]

Thanks. My husband will be working downtown. We are trying to find good schools with at least an acre of land. Our max we can go for a house is $250,000.