Boston to Birmingham - would you do it? (Hoover, Auburn: house, neighborhood)

[Charlesaf3]

Hi all, hoping some people will have advice here. My wife and I live in the center of Boston (Back Bay), which we enjoy. We're thinking of moving down to Birmingham. Why? Weather and income mainly. There would be a vast increase in income, and it seems a huge drop in cost of living. We are also tired of the cold. We'd live in Mountain Brook from what I've seen - children and schools are an issue. Inasmuch as children are going to be forcing us into the suburbs at some point, we're contemplating making a major change. Has anyone moved from San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Seattle or the other usual suspects to Birmingham? What do you think? I've lived in the south before, but in Charlottesville. For the rest I've lived in Miami, New York, Washington, Boston, London and the like. Thanks for any replies

[Rudbeckia]

I lived in NYC for 2 years and I have lived in Birmingham for 5.

Its very dependent on personal prefrence and what stage in life you are in I think. I do not have chidlren yet, so I miss NYC terribly. If I had children, like you do, I dont think I would miss NYC as much.

Just curious, aside from the weather, whats seems better about Birmingham than the North East Suburbs to you?

[Charlesaf3]

I'd never consider Birmingham if it weren't for stage of life. We are expecting a child, and from what I've seen of my friends, life revolves around that for a while, so you don't get to use the various cultural amenities in any case. And people head out for the suburbs for a reason - so the thought is, why not waaay out to the suburbs, as it were. What is specifically better about Birmingham? Weather, of course, and cost of living. From a Boston perspective, things look really cheap. And Mountain Brook, from what I gather, isn't all that different from it's Boston equivalent, aside from price and location. It literally looks to be 25% the price of the equivalent, though. And then on the income front, we have an opportunity to earn significantly more than we would in Boston. So you throw in kids, cost of living and job opportunities, and Birmingham comes into the picture... Ironically, distance from NYC is a downside, I used to live there and still probably have more friends there than anywhere else. But the weather up here right now really pushes us to go somewhere warmer. Given that being single in Birmingham must be tough, have you found friends/a like minded community? I'm equally comfortable hanging out on a jobsite, a tractor store, or a law library, but most of my good friends are either professor types, or finance types.

[Threestep]

Have you factored the weather in? Have you considered potential questions by grandparents - why are you moving to BHam?

Well, an international airport with minimal parking problems and 15 minutes landing/leaving, a number of good restaurants, several types of grocery stores, plenty of shopping, a lot of green, fairly clean for a US city, very diverse.

As long as you try not to superimpose your ideas, your way of living upon the locals you will find your range from bibbs and plaid shirt (beware, it may be your neighbor in his Sunday finery) to legal brains and financial types to drive you crazy. Hunting, flying, fishing, golf - get started.

Mtn. Brooks/Vestavia/Liberty Park is too HOA, too cliquish for me. But to each his own. Your main concern should be school - private/public.

[Rudbeckia]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

I'd never consider Birmingham if it weren't for stage of life. We are expecting a child, and from what I've seen of my friends, life revolves around that for a while, so you don't get to use the various cultural amenities in any case. And people head out for the suburbs for a reason - so the thought is, why not waaay out to the suburbs, as it were. What is specifically better about Birmingham? Weather, of course, and cost of living. From a Boston perspective, things look really cheap. And Mountain Brook, from what I gather, isn't all that different from it's Boston equivalent, aside from price and location. It literally looks to be 25% the price of the equivalent, though. And then on the income front, we have an opportunity to earn significantly more than we would in Boston. So you throw in kids, cost of living and job opportunities, and Birmingham comes into the picture... Ironically, distance from NYC is a downside, I used to live there and still probably have more friends there than anywhere else. But the weather up here right now really pushes us to go somewhere warmer. Given that being single in Birmingham must be tough, have you found friends/a like minded community? I'm equally comfortable hanging out on a jobsite, a tractor store, or a law library, but most of my good friends are either professor types, or finance types.

I am not single, I am married. Birmingham is NOT a place I would choose to live single.

We live here for the same reasons you listed, cost of living, job salary, and this is close to family for us.

Mountain Brook will be a good place for you to look, I would also look in Homewood and Vestiavia.

You wont have any trouble making friends and Birimgham would be a good place to raise kids, the public schools in the three places I listed above are good, really good in MB and Vestavia.

What you will miss about Boston: diversity and cultural and once you have experienced a few summers in Alabama, the cold might not seem so bad. I would take a NYC winter over an Alabama summer any day!

[cpg35223]

Two things I would offer.

1) Birmingham is a great place to live, particularly the suburbs that hug the southern slope of Red Mountain. No, the cultural offerings are not what they are in Boston (Outside of New York, Chicago and San Francisco, what are?), but there is actually a surprising amount of things to do and see. We were rather gratified when we moved here. In fact, I'd like to make an interesting point: It's actually easier to enjoy cultural offerings in B'ham than in other markets. For example, we bought tickets to see Yo Yo Ma back in April. It was a sellout, but at the same time I realized that had I been in Chicago, I wouldn't have had a snowball's chance in hell of scoring a ticket. And this has been the case for any number of performances.

2) The key to enjoying yourself here? Recognize that different cities have different cultures, and respect what makes the locals tick. No, everybody is not a Bible beater. No, you will not be continuously invited to attend church. No, a divergent opinion from theirs does not mean you will be threatened with an unruly mob or snubbed at neighborhood dinner parties. Essentially, respect the local way of doing things, and don't harp on how you did things in the Northeast, and you'll be fine.

[hrtofdixiechk]

I agree with cpg35223. Anywhere yo go it may take a while to get adjusted. I am from Alabama, but have also lived in CT, RI, and IL. Boston is just soooo different from Alabama. However, I don't think people in general are very different. Boston is much more liberal than Alabama is. We tend to vote in the red. We do have some great school systems...mtn. brook, vestavia, oak mtn, hoover, homewood...all good! Mtn. Brook is very expensive. Vestavia is mostly old homes with not very much new construction...good location though! Hoover is the hub of the suburbs...shopping, good schools, baseball games, etc. Good family area with a little more diversity than the others listed. Just remember it takes time to get a foundation built wherever you go. Good luck!

[hlsess]

I have never been to Boston. I grew up here in Mt. Brook and now live here - Birmingham is such a well rounded city- it is different than Boston like the above posters say but it is a great location- close to beach and mountains-No snow storms (maybe every 10 years) and the schools are great. Good luck with your decision.

[soccerphysio]

I am a native of Long Island, and moved here in 1994 for work, so I was in your exact position 15 years ago.
First the good:
1. The people here are extremely friendly, and you probably won't find a better place to raise kids.
2. Despite the stereotypes, the suburbs have some excellent school districts (we are in the Spain Park district in Hoover). The added bonus is that the teachers truly care about the kids, and make them feel like family.
3. Housing costs and property taxes are incredibly lower than the northeast. Our house cost $450,000 here, but would easily fetch $700-$900,000 on Long Island, with property taxes 25% of what they would be up there.

The Not So Good:
1. While you hate winters now, you will HATE summers here; incredibly hot and humid, and full of bugs. Summer used to be my favorite time of year, now I can't wait for late fall to get here, and I long for a big snowstorm!
2. If you haven't had problems with allergies, you can expect to have them here. Birmingham is loaded with pollen during certain times of year, so it seems as if sinus problems are a constant issue.
3. While the people are great, it is difficult to make good close friends easily as a male unless you immerse yourself in the Auburn-Alabama college football scene. Not many Yankee fans here for me to bond with, and let's be honest, sports interests are how most guys "bond."
4. While others will say the beach is close, it is still a 4 hour ride. I really miss the life of the New England coastline being a bike ride away; lakes and rivers don't do it for me.
5. While there are quite a few great restaurants, I miss the wide array of cuisine like in NY and Boston, especially Italian food, bagels, etc. That may sound like a small issue, but I actually miss the food quite a bit!

I would definitely move back to the northeast if given the right opportunity (I actually had a job offer this summer, but with the economy and housing market, didn't make sense financially). But having said that, we live a very good life here in Birmingham, and as I said before, is a fantastic place to raise a family, which sounds like a top priority for you.

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by soccerphysio

I am a native of Long Island, and moved here in 1994 for work, so I was in your exact position 15 years ago.
First the good:
1. The people here are extremely friendly, and you probably won't find a better place to raise kids.
2. Despite the stereotypes, the suburbs have some excellent school districts (we are in the Spain Park district in Hoover). The added bonus is that the teachers truly care about the kids, and make them feel like family.
3. Housing costs and property taxes are incredibly lower than the northeast. Our house cost $450,000 here, but would easily fetch $700-$900,000 on Long Island, with property taxes 25% of what they would be up there.

The Not So Good:
1. While you hate winters now, you will HATE summers here; incredibly hot and humid, and full of bugs. Summer used to be my favorite time of year, now I can't wait for late fall to get here, and I long for a big snowstorm!
2. If you haven't had problems with allergies, you can expect to have them here. Birmingham is loaded with pollen during certain times of year, so it seems as if sinus problems are a constant issue.
3. While the people are great, it is difficult to make good close friends easily as a male unless you immerse yourself in the Auburn-Alabama college football scene. Not many Yankee fans here for me to bond with, and let's be honest, sports interests are how most guys "bond."
4. While others will say the beach is close, it is still a 4 hour ride. I really miss the life of the New England coastline being a bike ride away; lakes and rivers don't do it for me.
5. While there are quite a few great restaurants, I miss the wide array of cuisine like in NY and Boston, especially Italian food, bagels, etc. That may sound like a small issue, but I actually miss the food quite a bit!

I would definitely move back to the northeast if given the right opportunity (I actually had a job offer this summer, but with the economy and housing market, didn't make sense financially). But having said that, we live a very good life here in Birmingham, and as I said before, is a fantastic place to raise a family, which sounds like a top priority for you.

What part of LI are you from? I was born & raised in N. Massapequa and went to Farmingdale HS - Class of 77