Calera or Florence Al. (Birmingham, Huntsville: real estate market, house, neighborhoods)

[pacnwgirl]

If you had a choice and you were 58 and 60, semi-retired where would you move.......coming from the Pacific NW. Ready for an adventure and change.
My husband is a driver and I'am a Realtor.
Help, pacnwgirl

[Southlander]

Calera is....close to Birmingham. So that would be good for you as a Realtor, and hubby would be closer to the I-59/I-20 and I-65 intersection. On the other hand, if he does a lot of driving out of Memphis, Florence would be closer. A LOT cooler real estate market for you. Not to mention the superb medical facilities in B'ham. I'd choose Calera. But Calera's pretty rural. Just MHO.

[UABinBHM]

Between the two, I'd choose Calera... but again... this is just based on the limited knowledge of your situation.

[pacnwgirl]

thank-you for your info, can you give a few neighborhoods (older) with a price from 135 to 175??? thats our price range right now.

[UABinBHM]

Let's see... you might want to check out some areas like Adamsville and Centerpoint. I think those areas have some older homes in that price range. Calera, from what I know, is a pretty young town and probably pretty expensive being on the south end of town.

[jpanas]

I live in Florence and really enjoy the area. It has a slow pace, very inexpensive housing and friendly people. We are 2 hours from B'ham, 2.5 hours from Memphis, 2 hours from Nashville and 1.5 hours from Huntsville which all have great things to do. If you want to relax, Florence is the place. If you want to shop or have a night life, Florence is not for you.

[KMK]

There is absolutely nothing to do in Florence. It is a dying town. Youth are moving out in groves. Granted you get alot more house for the money but you better like staying at home because there is nothing else to do here. And the drives to any other big city are boring, very long drives.

[aseret]

I just returned from visiting Florence. I would prefer Florene over B'ham. I live in Dallas and would love to move there - now. I doubt if singles would enjoy it. If you beautiful lakes and rives are your thing? This is the place.

[KMK]

Guess its all relative. I lived in Houston and I can see why living in Florence over Dallas might be appealing. I wouldn`t want to live in B`ham either. Now the Tenn river is pretty in places and trashy and very exploited in areas as well. Not near as pretty as the lakes I have seen in Georgia, SC, and NC. For young people and singles it is a dead end. If you like to stay at home then you can get quite a bit of house for your money in this area. However you have to love staying home because there is not anything beyond cruising Walmart and Target to do. Even finding supplies for hobbies of any sort are not available in the area. And the economy died years ago so most students that leave find jobs elsewhere and those that do not go off to school stay and fill the small store jobs. And any trip out of town to truely enjoy need be an overnight stay at least. If I were to come as far as Bama then I would venture a few more hours to the Southeastern states and enjoy their lovely coasts, mountains, and gorgeous lakes.

[jpanas]

If you want older neighborhoods in Florence, try Forest Hills or Oak Hills. Both are older, est., beautiful neighborhoods with homes in your price range. Forest Hills also has a neighborhood pool. Can't help you with Calera.