Possible Move to B'ham (Birmingham, Huntsville: extended stay, for sale, real estate)

[av8nlvr]

I've been offered a job in Birmingham and am considering a move from up north. My main concern is pay..... yes, the pay is a bit more than I make here but what I'm wondering is $30k enough for a single person no dependents to live in a decent suburb, renting an apartment? I don't plan to rent online; I plan to drive down there and go look at places and rent in person. I have done some research online and I'm seeing many apartments in the 600 range ($615-700) which I more than what I pay now for a decent place and I don't know what to do.

Any advice would be appreciated about the affordability of the birmingham area.

[Threestep]

Birmingham and its satelites are a fair piece of real estate. Where will you be working?

[cpg35223]

The best place for you will probably be in the Southside area, where there are plenty of single people and lots to do. That being said, can you narrow things down for us a little on where you'll be working, what you enjoy doing in your free time, etc. etc.? Thanks.

[av8nlvr]

Threestep, My job will be in the Red Mountain area but the hours are non-traditional so I won't be commuting at 8am and 6pm. I've already been there once to interview and saw the afternoon traffic.

cpg35223, Many of the apartment developments that I've identified online that look nice seem to be clustered in 2 main areas: one is around the 65/459 interchange in Hoover and I know there's a ton of shopping in that area with the mall there. The other area is along the 280 corridor from 459 down to Cahaba Valley. I'm not sure what's in that area. Which of those are better areas? I'm single but past college aged so close proximity to the bar scene isn't a requirement and I have no kids so schools aren't much of a concern although I've heard Hoover and Vestavia schools are pretty decent which is probably a reflection of the kids who go there. I gotta do something about that "single" situation... There were also a couple near 59 & 459 on the east side (Trussville?) I saw a decent priced apartment in Moody but I dont know - that's going to be probably a 20 mile commute. I was surprised that I didn't see much nice on the north or west sides of town.

I spent a few years in Huntsville and visited B'ham a couple times so I kind of know a little about Alabama but not much about B'ham. I remember going straight to the mall in Hoover because they didn't have anything that nice in Huntsville.

[Threestep]

Have you considered moving into an extended stay for a week and looking for housing while you are here? 280 corridor is my area and there are several nice apartment complexes. Check Turtle Lake on-line for prices. It is behind Hanna's nursery which is closed on Sunday's and walking distance from Lee Branch shopping mall.

[av8nlvr]

Interesting that you mentioned that one - Turtle Lake was one of the apartments that I had checked off to look at! Is that a decent area?

[bluebeard]

That amount of money seems livable in Birmingham. Although you seem to be used to very low rental prices, so each person has his own ability to live within certain means.
I don't see the reason to live in an outer suburb if you don't have kids. What is your definition of a decent area? Birmingham is not only college aged kids. Since living costs are a concern living in Birmingham vs Hoover or Trussville would seem to save you an large amount of gas and car maintenance money. I don't know where in particular you'll be working, but, Southside Birmingham is right up against red mountain. In addition, more adult singles meeting places would seem to be centered around Birmingham.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by av8nlvr

Interesting that you mentioned that one - Turtle Lake was one of the apartments that I had checked off to look at! Is that a decent area?

Pull a Birmingham map. Yes, it is on the infamous 280 but in Shelby County and a hop and a skip from shopping/eating/public library ... Ten minutes to The Summit or The Galleria. Make sure to negotiate a move-in special such as first months free and check for a professional move clause in the lease contract. Normally a move due to company transfer will only cost one month rent. What you do not have in writing you do not have!

[av8nlvr]

Is the tax rate different between Shelby and Jefferson Counties and the city of Birmingham?

[jakabedy]

Are you talking about income tax? There is no income tax in either county for residents of the county. However, if you work in Jefferson County (whether you live there or not) you will be paying an occupational tax which is, I think, about .5% -- lots of legislation/litigation on it right now, so someone else can chime in with the exact going rate. There is also an occupational tax if you work in the city of Birmingham -- maybe 1%?

As for sales tax, there may be 1-2% difference depending on which county you are in and which municipality you are in in the particular county.

Although it shouldn't affect you in an apartment, Jefferson County has very high sewer rates -- and doesn't necessarily serve only Jefferson County.