Vance, AL Job! Need suggestions for good areas to move (Birmingham: apartment, rentals)

[kjforlines]

Good afternoon everyone,

My husband just received a job offer in Vance, AL and we are scrambling to find a home to rent around the area. We are moving from Edenton, NC which is a little small, historic town with literally nothing to do and through the roof housing prices if you're looking for somewhere in a good area and at a decent size. Not to mention the limited job opportunities due to it being basically a retirement community.

We have been looking around the Vance area, but have also been looking at areas like Tuscaloosa (seemingly more expensive than we'd like), Bessemer, Hoover, etc. We are looking for a rental for now and it must be pet friendly. We have 3 cats and 2 dogs, which are all very well taken care of and well-behaved. We consider them family, there is absolutely no way we can leave without any of the 5 babies. We're looking in the range of 500-850 per month, preferably a house as opposed to an apartment, and we don't really have any requirement for size since we've lived in a small house before and it worked out pretty well. We just want to find a decent neighborhood and area that we're not worried about crime and drug-related incidents. We live in a fairly good place but there's still a lot that happens around our area that warrants me keeping a weapon close while I'm home alone.

If anyone has any information on what to look out for, and even suggestions for rental properties in any of the areas listed (or anywhere around Vance in general!) just let me know. We're really limited on time when it comes to this move, so we're hoping to atleast FIND somewhere by November 1st when he begins working so that I can either move with him, or move close to that date.

Thank you!

[GotLuv4Bham]

I would check out the McCalla area. It's a really nice little community. Also, try Pleasant Grove/Hueytown area.

[kjforlines]

Thanks! I will definitely check that out.

[Tourian]

Check out McCalla and Helena.

[steveklein]

You might be able to find a house for rent in that range in McCalla, but you will definitely find things in that price range in eastern Tuscaloosa and western Jefferson counties. If schools aren't a concern, there's no reason to rent in a place like Helena, Hoover, or unincorporated Shelby County where the school systems drive up cost of living.

[kjforlines]

Thanks everybody, I'll definitely start looking in McCalla. And school systems aren't a problem right now, maybe later on when we decide to buy but I didn't know that about Hoover.

[jakabedy]

And if you don't mind being a bit far out from both B'ham and Tuscaloosa (but super close to Vance), you can look in the area around the Abernant/Bucksville exit. It will be a bit more rural, so possibly less expensive and more pet friendly. Again, this all presupposes that schools aren't an issue for you.

[VeeBee66]

I used to live at Briar Ridge in Vance. When we were there there were rentals. We lived in the older section and it was really good. Great neighbors that looked out for you and would help you out when needed.

[carpe777]

Welcome to Vance/Tuscaloosa/ Birmingham area even though I don't live there any longer. I've been to Edenton before and it is a beautiful place....yes, I've thought of retiring there.


Hope all goes well in your housing search and life in Alabama !


Carpe