Why do people put down Birmingham, AL? (Homewood, Vestavia Hills: homes, neighborhoods)

[isawooty]

I've been to Birmingham at least two dozen times over the past 5 years. Although it hasn't grown by leaps and bounds, the area seems to be a legitimate metropolitan area with plenty to see and do. From nightlife, to abundant shopping, to good higher education options and beautiful suburbs, scenery and last but not least, friendly people... So why is the city painted as if it's podunk?

Even coming from Atlanta, there are a lot of admirable qualities that the city possesses IMHO. A true representation of the Old South. Every city has its fair share of poverty, crime, traffic, and geographical related issues. Birmingham is no exception. In spite of this, I happen to think it's a fantastic city.

Opinions?

[Hockey92]

their more racist than new englanders down there

[RunDMC]

I think B'ham flies under the radar as most people on the east coast never have a reason to go there or even thru there on the interstate.
I never hear it put down and most people who visit are pleasantly surprised especially about all the new stuff in the suburban areas.

[isawooty]

Originally Posted by Hockey92

their more racist than new englanders down there

They're, you mean? And in Birmingham?

I'm black and I've never once gotten an inkling of a sign of racism while I was in there. I actually have a friend that I went school with and is a family practitioner there. He's black as well. He's never had a problem either.

I'm not attacking you but simply asking... Have you visited or are you just making assumptions?

[isawooty]

Originally Posted by RunDMC

I think B'ham flies under the radar as most people on the east coast never have a reason to go there or even thru there on the interstate.
I never hear it put down and most people who visit are pleasantly surprised especially about all the new stuff in the suburban areas.

I mean the first time I visited and seen Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook et al I was like Those suburbs are so magnificent and all the scenery, and hills, and mountains. They kind of even give Atlanta's northern suburbs a run for their money, especially aesthetically speaking.

[RunDMC]

Originally Posted by isawooty

I mean the first time I visited and seen Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook et al I was like Those suburbs are so magnificent and all the scenery, and hills, and mountains. They kind of even give Atlanta's northern suburbs a run for their money, especially aesthetically speaking.

yeah I agree with that, Alabama is a real green state and I would have thought it would be flat in B'ham before going there.

The only bad thing about it for me was all the traffic congestion on 280. Just too much stuff on that one road.

Lot of people don't lke the downtown area very much .

[animatedmartian]

I've passed through B'ham going from Jackson to Atlanta and the geography makes the city seem way smaller than it actually is. I mean, I really thought of it as a small town under 100K before looking up the actual population figure. Some of the suburbs in the hills do look pretty nice for a southern city.

[Mezter]

It doesn't seem that horrible to me.

[NorthDeKalb]

I'm headed back to Atlanta, but as soon as I get there, I'll explain Bham's issues as I see them.

[NorthDeKalb]

Originally Posted by isawooty

I'm black and I've never once gotten an inkling of a sign of racism while I was in there. I actually have a friend that I went school with and is a family practitioner there. He's black as well. He's never had a problem either.

And you won't, but don't be fooled. Biggots have become far more resourceful these days. Racism presents itself in many forms, some of which may include corporate favoritism; the elimination/creation of a requisition with a particular candidate in mind. I've seen this with my own eyes as a former resident, but nothing overt.

Today, there are far too many Blacks in Birmingham to expect traditional examples of racism to take shape before your eyes, but rest assure, the GOB network is still very much in full swing there moreso than Atlanta to me.

Originally Posted by isawooty

I mean the first time I visited and seen Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook et al I was like Those suburbs are so magnificent and all the scenery, and hills, and mountains. They kind of even give Atlanta's northern suburbs a run for their money, especially aesthetically speaking.

Now this I do agree with. Problem is, the average person who passes through, or even visits just to check things out aren't aware that there's even a reason to cross Red Mountain headed south. They usually take 20-59 straight through to Atlanta, and see plenty of ghetto much of the way. To drive that same distance along 459 versus 20-59 is like night/day.

To be brutally honest, Birmingham needs some serious inner city gentrification efforts. Most of the homes in the core (that one would see along that 20-59 stretch) are ghetto, and shot-out looking... that's just the truth. Once you cross Red Mountain, it's like a utopia compared to the inner-city neighborhoods. It's truly a city with two totally different personalities.