Are people moving here from out of state or not? (Birmingham: movers, schools)

[DigitalNomad143]

Hey everyone. I moved here a year and a half ago. We are a family of four with one in college and the other is a student in Chelsea. Our child is thriving and has made a lot of friends and we are grateful.

I sometimes read how Alabama cities aren't booming, schools and economy are bad but as I drive around town I can't help but see people driving around in mercedes, Ferrari's and other top of the line vehicles... we live near Inverness area. There are businesses being built, and it seems there are a ton of out of state plates that I see while driving around town... ESPECIALLY Florida. A few from Colorado (which shocked me) just wondering if it is Shelby County only or if I just happen to be driving around all the vacationers coming to Birmingham Alabama

We love Shelby County... we have lived all over the country and the school experience we have had so far has been great. Our child is in advanced classes and is being challenged. The people are soooo nice.


Thanks for helping me with wondering if the area is booming or still a bust (according to national polls) personally I think Shelby County is a special secret to many around the nation... great weather, nice people, rolling hills, only a few hours from the beach.


Thanks!

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by DigitalNomad143

Hey everyone. I moved here a year and a half ago. We are a family of four with one in college and the other is a student in Chelsea. Our child is thriving and has made a lot of friends and we are grateful.

I sometimes read how Alabama cities aren't booming, schools and economy are bad but as I drive around town I can't help but see people driving around in mercedes, Ferrari's and other top of the line vehicles... we live near Inverness area. There are businesses being built, and it seems there are a ton of out of state plates that I see while driving around town... ESPECIALLY Florida. A few from Colorado (which shocked me) just wondering if it is Shelby County only or if I just happen to be driving around all the vacationers coming to Birmingham Alabama

We love Shelby County... we have lived all over the country and the school experience we have had so far has been great. Our child is in advanced classes and is being challenged. The people are soooo nice.


Thanks for helping me with wondering if the area is booming or still a bust (according to national polls) personally I think Shelby County is a special secret to many around the nation... great weather, nice people, rolling hills, only a few hours from the beach.


Thanks!

I wouldn't pay much attention to national polls about the South. They have always been biased about anything Southern.

[Tourian]

What national polls show Shelby co to be a bust? It has been up among the fastest growing if not the fastest growing co in Alabama for decades. While that might not put it at the top nationally that wouldnt make it a bust just because it isnt as big (population) as somewhere else.

But the metro area in general is downplayed as a destination spot and the simple fact that 65 is a major national N/S corridor...so like southern man said pay no attention to media agendas and trust what you can plainly observe.

[TimCity2000]

Birmingham metro is certainly not growing as quickly as many of its peers, but it is growing nonetheless. And among all areas in the metro, Shelby County has been one of the "boomers" for the past 20+ years.


Regarding license plates, I've noticed a higher-than-usual number of North Carolina tags this year.

[TyVincente]

Originally Posted by DigitalNomad143

Hey everyone. I moved here a year and a half ago. We are a family of four with one in college and the other is a student in Chelsea. Our child is thriving and has made a lot of friends and we are grateful.

I sometimes read how Alabama cities aren't booming, schools and economy are bad but as I drive around town I can't help but see people driving around in mercedes, Ferrari's and other top of the line vehicles... we live near Inverness area. There are businesses being built, and it seems there are a ton of out of state plates that I see while driving around town... ESPECIALLY Florida. A few from Colorado (which shocked me) just wondering if it is Shelby County only or if I just happen to be driving around all the vacationers coming to Birmingham Alabama

We love Shelby County... we have lived all over the country and the school experience we have had so far has been great. Our child is in advanced classes and is being challenged. The people are soooo nice.


Thanks for helping me with wondering if the area is booming or still a bust (according to national polls) personally I think Shelby County is a special secret to many around the nation... great weather, nice people, rolling hills, only a few hours from the beach.


Thanks!

Really there are lots of other southern counties throughout the southeast US that are growing and expanding population (and building) faster than any county (or city) in The State of Alabama. Although Shelby has grown in population, it pales to a host of areas/counties/cities in places such as Texas and Florida, in fact you can't even compare Alabama cities to really any of them. Look for yourself. No contest. Just look at central TN (Nashville)sounties


County population change map - Business Insider

[TyVincente]

BTW, seeing out of state license plates can be meaningless in any county where a major north-south interstate highway rests. That's no indication of true relocation on a permanent basis.


One indicator (non scientific) I have used in data retrieved from UHaul, Ipod, and major data provided by major movers such as Allied, Wheaton, Mayflower, and United Van Lines. The larger companies can reflect firm corporate moves and shifts in employed populations. As a whole, The State of Alabama doesn't seem to be "booming" at all...certainly when fairly compared to specific areas of central TN, Texas and FL.

[WJSim]

I have been away for a while and it has changed drastically since I left.
I won't bore you with my very long list but my husband and I when out on the road constantly say they have the population number for the B'ham metro area totally wrong!!!

Personally we don't want it anywhere near an Atlanta or even a Nashville that was mentioned, in my opinion it has already started to lose it's southern charm.

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by WJSim

Personally we don't want it anywhere near an Atlanta or even a Nashville that was mentioned, in my opinion it has already started to lose it's southern charm.

Why?

And what is so important about having "southern charm"?

Not trolling, but never understood the reasoning behind either of those statements I hear from alot of people here.

[_OT]

Birmingham's nothing like Nashville or Atlanta, lol trust me; I'd go on to say they're not even remotely similar.

[WJSim]

Originally Posted by sleepless in Bham

Why?

And what is so important about having "southern charm"?

Not trolling, but never understood the reasoning behind either of those statements I hear from alot of people here.

All I can say to that is perhaps you've never experienced it.

In my opinion not only the loss of some of its southern charm but the excellent, friendly customer service has sadly totally changed as well. But yes, it appears the population and traffic has grown tremendously and it does appear that is the main goal for some here.