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our biggest problem, unfortunately, is an image and publicity problem. our first name conjures up images of race riots and church bombings from 50 years ago, while our last name brings with it stereotypes of rural and uneducated america.
it's true that birmingham city's population has not grown recently. however, in the previous 5 decades it was absolutely HEMHORRAGING from a high of about 340,000 in 1960. the past 10 years it has stagnated, and i think it's finally leveled off around 210,000. if the amount of new construction downtown, particularly apartments and condos, are any indication, the city population should start going back up soon. even several of the eastern neighborhoods are starting to see promising infill. will it be on the level of a nashville or atlanta? definitely not. but hopefully steady and sustained.
We were in the Botanical Gardens ~18 months ago. That area around the Country Club in Mountain Brook is a leafy established affluent-feeling residential area. Just like anywhere else, if you can buy your way in to the socioeconomically segregated nice inner suburb, it's a totally reasonable place to live. Not everyone wants to live urban. You can get to the Gulf beaches in less than 4 hours. A world class airport in Atlanta is less than 2 hours. There's a Publix and a Fresh Market and a Trader Joe's. There are things like Indian restaurants, Thai, and Pho. If someone told me I had to live in Birmingham for the next decade, I could make it work since I can afford the housing in the leafiest suburb and something on the beach in the redneck Riviera for the salt water fix.
We were in the Botanical Gardens ~18 months ago. That area around the Country Club in Mountain Brook is a leafy established affluent-feeling residential area. Just like anywhere else, if you can buy your way in to the socioeconomically segregated nice inner suburb, it's a totally reasonable place to live. Not everyone wants to live urban. You can get to the Gulf beaches in less than 4 hours. A world class airport in Atlanta is less than 2 hours. There's a Publix and a Fresh Market and a Trader Joe's. There are things like Indian restaurants, Thai, and Pho. If someone told me I had to live in Birmingham for the next decade, I could make it work since I can afford the housing in the leafiest suburb and something on the beach in the redneck Riviera for the salt water fix.
don't discount some of the in-town neighborhoods either. in fact, that whole area around the zoo / gardens flirts between birmingham and mountain brook city limits.
Well given where society has gone in 2020, things like nightlife and restaurants don’t matter any more. You’re probably better off not in a walkable neighborhood. I’d say with that in mind the win goes handedly to Birmingham. I prefer the climate, the taller trees, and it’s closer to the beach and mountains.
Well given where society has gone in 2020, things like nightlife and restaurants don’t matter any more. You’re probably better off not in a walkable neighborhood. I’d say with that in mind the win goes handedly to Birmingham. I prefer the climate, the taller trees, and it’s closer to the beach and mountains.
Those things will absolutely matter once things go back to normal.
My peers and I are dying to go out drinking again.
Well given where society has gone in 2020, things like nightlife and restaurants don’t matter any more. You’re probably better off not in a walkable neighborhood. I’d say with that in mind the win goes handedly to Birmingham. I prefer the climate, the taller trees, and it’s closer to the beach and mountains.
not sure how the two compare in nightlife, but birmingham can definitely hold its own in restaurants.
not sure how the two compare in nightlife, but birmingham can definitely hold its own in restaurants.
plenty of walkable neighborhoods here, too.
Birm has impressive restaurants and shopping. I would imagine if the city could overcome its past and reduce crime, it would likely follow in Chattanooga's footsteps. Pittsburgh could also be positive example of sustainable, attractive development models.
"It would likely follow in Chattanooga's footsteps...
What??
I think she means as a model for revitalization of the downtown core. Birmingham has been moving in the right direction in that regard for a couple of years now.
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