Moving to Birmingham - Where should I live? Where should I AVOID? (Hoover: apartment complexes, rental homes)

[Soldier Sooner]

Hi there.

I am re-locating to the Birmingham area for a job at UAB. I am a black male in my late 20’s. While I am single at the moment, I have dated many white women in the past (IE, could date a women of that race again).

I have lived in a Suburban college-town in the Great Plains for basically my entire life, and I would LOVE to live in a part of the city with that same college-town vibe/feel. I want some diversity, but I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN THE HOOD! Hahaha!! I’m FAR from being a “thug” or “gangsta” (I've got a master's degree), but occasionally, I like to wear a basketball jersey, or a backwards baseball cap on weekends – is that going to pose a problem in the Suburban areas of Birmingham?

Basically, I’m looking for an area that is “fun” enough for a young person, accepting of inter-racial dating, but still “quiet” enough for a professional. Does such a place exist?

I'm looking to rent right now, not buy. I'm willing to spend up to $1200 per month, but obviously I'd like to spend as little as possible. House, apartment, townhouse, condo - it doesn't matter. Essentially, I want to avoid The Hood, while also avoiding mass amounts of racism. Seems harsh wording it that way, I know - Sorry. (and I know its the 2010's not the 1950's, but lets not pretend that racism is no longer an issue.)

So far, I have found that Hoover and Homewood might be my best bets, but I'm asking you guys - the experts - for your opinion. THANKS!!!

[Miv]

1. Nobody walks around with basketball jerseys or backwards ball caps anymore. Please update your swagger.

2. Checkout the Southside, lakeview, south avondale (South not North) & the Highlands.

3. I would avoid the massive apartment complexes in hoover and homewood. They tend to be pretty hood.

[Tourian]

Some apartment complexes on and around Lorna in Hoover and the ones on Valley avenue in Homewood typically have mass quantities of Mexicans so that's why most will recommend they be avoided. However there are many more complexes in Hoover and Vestavia that aren't like that.

Southside and Lakeview are cool places to live with the vibe of a growing city center and nearby UAB.

[Soldier Sooner]

Originally Posted by Miv

1. Nobody walks around with basketball jerseys or backwards ball caps anymore. Please update your swagger.

2. Checkout the Southside, lakeview, south avondale (South not North) & the Highlands.

3. I would avoid the massive apartment complexes in hoover and homewood. They tend to be pretty hood.

Haha at the bolded part. I love how thats the first thing you addressed.... But thanks for info.
I'm very much into the 90s, and I typically only wear stuff like that to 90s themed events, while shooting hoops, etc... Not like I'm going to dinner or to work dressed like that

[Soldier Sooner]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Some apartment complexes on and around Lorna in Hoover and the ones on Valley avenue in Homewood typically have mass quantities of Mexicans so that's why most will recommend they be avoided. However there are many more complexes in Hoover and Vestavia that aren't like that.

Southside and Lakeview are cool places to live with the vibe of a growing city center and nearby UAB.

Thanks to you as well. I've never come across Southside or Lakeview while doing my Google-research, so I will have to check those out.

[Soldier Sooner]

Is "Highlands" a nickname for Highland Park? Or are they two separate areas?
Thanks

[Miv]

Its the same area.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by Soldier Sooner

Is "Highlands" a nickname for Highland Park? Or are they two separate areas?
Thanks

You sound like a nice guy to know.

Also; Redmont Park, Forest Park Lane Park, English Village, Glen Iris Park, Idlewild Circle, Hanover Circle, Bluff Park. Patton Chapel section of Hoover. Some really nice new apts. on Montclair Road near Crestline Village. (Mountain Brook)

Really nice new apts. across 459 from the Summit. (Grandview) Cahaba Heights has a substantial number of rental homes and duplexes and has a small town feel but is in the middle of the city just south of Shades Mountain.

Google any of these. They range from the south edge of the CBD to just over the Beltway. None of these would put you into bad traffic situations either.

Good luck and enjoy your new adventure.

raj

[Soldier Sooner]

Originally Posted by raj kapoor

You sound like a nice guy to know.

Also; Redmont Park, Forest Park Lane Park, English Village, Glen Iris Park, Idlewild Circle, Hanover Circle, Bluff Park. Patton Chapel section of Hoover. Some really nice new apts. on Montclair Road near Crestline Village. (Mountain Brook)

Really nice new apts. across 459 from the Summit. (Grandview) Cahaba Heights has a substantial number of rental homes and duplexes and has a small town feel but is in the middle of the city just south of Shades Mountain.

Google any of these. They range from the south edge of the CBD to just over the Beltway. None of these would put you into bad traffic situations either.

Good luck and enjoy your new adventure.

raj

Thanks! and thanks for the info! Those new apartments that you referenced look AWESOME. Gotta check those out when I get to town.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Soldier Sooner

Thanks! and thanks for the info! Those new apartments that you referenced look AWESOME. Gotta check those out when I get to town.

Yeah. If I were single and in my 20s, Southside's where I'd be. Trust us on this.