[Gadsden]

I will be a graduate student at UA in the Fall. I would like to buy a home nearby the university (Tuscaloosa). My budget is between 125K and 140K. I would like to be in a clean, safe neighborhood. I am not from the area so I need some help. I have no children so it isn't necessary to be in a part of town that has good school programs. Does anyone have any suggesstions?

My realtor will be showing me a number of "garden" homes that are new construction. I like them but I have concerns about their resale value. And, does anyone know why there are so many on the market? I can't imagine why they were built in this slow economy.

[Barnswallows]

There are currently some huge condo/apartment complexes being built, which may be why you're seeing so many garden homes for sale. Most of the garden home developments I know of are farther from campus than the new apartments being built now. This isn't a really big town though, so being farther from campus doesn't really mean much if you have a car. There is a garden home next to my niece's that's been on the market for over 6 months, but others in the same development have sold recently so maybe the price is too high for that particular unit. As far as areas, I'd try to stay north of the river.

[ttownfeen]

I would recommend the area east of McFarland Blvd, south of University Blvd. It's an older neighborhood, mostly post-war period. It's actually very convenient not only to UA but the big shopping area at the corner of Veterans Dr and McFarland. Most of the crime you hear about in that area takes place in Alberta City, north of University.

[ttownfeen]

I also wanted to add the area between Hackberry Lane and McFarland Blvd. It's a nice area. However, the closer you get those campus (northward), the more likely you are to run into rental houses instead of houses for sale.