Need feedback on area btw Ruffner Mtn and South Roebuck (Birmingham: real estate, violent crime)

[cchip55]

Hello,

I am considering a move to a place between Ruffner Mountain and South Roebuck. I have been to Birmingham before, but not to this area. Please don't tell me to check it out in person, as I cannot do that right now living in another state and with my work schedule.

I am hoping someone can give me a sense of whether this is a good area....quiet, safe, community feel, etc. Or conversely what might the drawbacks be of living in this part of greater Birmingham.

Thanks!

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Some of the highest crime in the city:

https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/al/birmingham/crime

[TimCity2000]

is this considered Roebuck Springs?

i feel like this is an area that is definitely "street to street". on one street you'll find rundown properties, overgrown lots, and bars on the windows and on the next you'll find well kept yards and newly-renovated houses. probably depends on what you're willing to tolerate. should you keep your car doors locked and valuables out of plain sight? yes. will you hear gun shots on occasion? probably. should you feel unsafe? i wouldn't, but that's me.

this area has been seeing an uptick in investment the past 10+ years. i have a few friends that live in the neighborhood and they like it just fine.

do you have a particular street in mind?

[cchip55]

@TimCity2000

Sorry for the delay in responding, I thought the site would send me an alert when replies were posted - ha so I didn't realize anyone had.

I hadn't gotten as far as a particular street, I have a real estate search alert set up for Birmingham and I get a lot of matches in the Ruffner Mountain area for my criteria. My criteria is a smaller home anything from 800 sq feet to 1400 square feet with the sweet spot being around 1200. I am also only looking for older homes...anything from 1800 (which Birm doesn't really have) up to 1935 at the newest. I like that older homes were more solidly built than new construction today, I like historic features, etc. I don't need or want a large yard, etc. So the Ruffner Mtn area keeps giving me matches, but reading about the crime has put a damper on things.... I don't mind a neighborhood 'in transition' as it means better things are ahead and you can get in at a reasonable price before it gets popular and you get priced out, but it sounds like this area isn't there yet?

[TimCity2000]

i would say this area is probably in the early stages of "getting popular", especially with neighborhoods like crestwood and avondale becoming out of reach for a lot of people.

again, it depends on the person. i (a single male in my 40s) wouldn't have any problems living in the area.

if you're looking for 1935 at the newest, though, that's going to limit you.

[bosshawk]

This is a case where you can't manage from a spreadsheet. While almost no one would consider it a "luxurious" area or super gentrified, it is not filled "with some of the highest crime in the city".

It is an area of older homes with a lot of transition happening as many of the homes get flipped, renovated, etc and many younger singles and couples that have been priced out of Avondale or Crestwood move there at a steady clip. Any crime that does occur there is fairly minor property crime, which has actually seen a decent drop since Covid since many people are at home more. There has been and is very little violent crime in the area.

The only real drawbacks are that there isn't much decent commercial very close and realistically there won't be anytime soon. What may turn many people off - smaller, older homes with fairly small lots - seems to be a plus to you, so it would be a good spot for you.

[Jack Apple]

There is no way I would tell you check out that area in person. I would say stay far far away.

I'm sure you realize that older houses, if they haven't been cared for properly over the years, can have major structural problems, wiring, pipes, etc.

Depending on your budget, you might want to ask the B'ham newcomers' guide or other community organization about neighborhoods on Southside, near UAB. It's another street-by-street, or maybe block-by-block area as far as desirability, but it MIGHT be better than Ruffner Mountain - Roebuck.
But do ask about flooding; they have had major problems with that recently on Southside in some areas, I've heard.

[bosshawk]

Originally Posted by Jack Apple

There is no way I would tell you check out that area in person. I would say stay far far away.

I'm sure you realize that older houses, if they haven't been cared for properly over the years, can have major structural problems, wiring, pipes, etc.

Depending on your budget, you might want to ask the B'ham newcomers' guide or other community organization about neighborhoods on Southside, near UAB. It's another street-by-street, or maybe block-by-block area as far as desirability, but it MIGHT be better than Ruffner Mountain - Roebuck.
But do ask about flooding; they have had major problems with that recently on Southside in some areas, I've heard.

Stop with the fear mongering. There is a reason houses are selling like crazy in that area and isn't because people are staying "far, far away". It is this type of mentality that greatly holds Birmingham back and isn't indicative of current trends.


The neighborhood may not be for everyone but it is for a lot of people believe it or not.

[mcalumni01]

Originally Posted by bosshawk

Stop with the fear mongering. There is a reason houses are selling like crazy in that area and isn't because people are staying "far, far away". It is this type of mentality that greatly holds Birmingham back and isn't indicative of current trends.


The neighborhood may not be for everyone but it is for a lot of people believe it or not.

Ignoring is the best advice I can give people. Learnt that a long time ago. I know who to hold convo's on here and who not too.