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Future outlook: Greenville, SC & Omaha, NE
Cultural Amenities: Grand Rapids, MI
Corporate presence: Grand Rapids, MI
Recreational amenities: Tucson, AZ
Economy: Omaha, NE or Grand Rapids or Greenville
National recognition: Grand Rapids, MI
Skyline: Omaha
Natural setting: Tucson all the way!
I’m biased but I think B’ham has the most to offer out of these cities right now. Not booming but the metro has steady growth, jobs, diverse types of neighborhoods and housing options, great restaurants, and decent outdoor options. Also voted C Springs for the scenic beauty alone.
I’m biased but I think B’ham has the most to offer out of these cities right now. Not booming but the metro has steady growth, jobs, diverse types of neighborhoods and housing options, great restaurants, and decent outdoor options. Also voted C Springs for the scenic beauty alone.
I do think Birmingham definitely has things to offer, but I don’t think it’s a standout among these cities for diverse neighborhoods/housing options, restaurants, or outdoor options. I’m knowledgeable about the city, but I’m not an expert, can you give examples of what sets it apart?
I do think Birmingham definitely has things to offer, but I don’t think it’s a standout among these cities for diverse neighborhoods/housing options, restaurants, or outdoor options. I’m knowledgeable about the city, but I’m not an expert, can you give examples of what sets it apart?
Well, Birmingham's Highlands Bar & Grill just recently won the Beard Award for best restaurant in America. Several other restaurants have been recent finalists. And Zagat had this to say pre-Covid:
I do think Birmingham definitely has things to offer, but I don’t think it’s a standout among these cities for diverse neighborhoods/housing options, restaurants, or outdoor options. I’m knowledgeable about the city, but I’m not an expert, can you give examples of what sets it apart?
As the post above mentions, B’ham is definitely a standout for dining. One of the best in the entire south, which is saying something.
For outdoors, it probably can’t trump some of the western cities on this list (like C Springs), but it has interesting topography in the southern reaches of the Appalachians with some great parks for hiking, camping, biking, etc. Oak Mountain State Park is probably the best of them. But also Ruffner Mountain and Red Mountain, plus a great urban park in Railroad Park.
And for housing options, I guess that’s subjective, but to me there are a lot of options for at least somewhat reasonable prices. The metro area has some top-notch inner-ring suburbs like Homewood and (very wealthy) Mountain Brook that have their own town centers with beautiful neighborhoods; high quality suburbs like Hoover, Vestsvia, and Trussville; and cool urban neighborhoods scattered throughout the city and nestled against the “mountains.” I moved here from a city with basically two types of places to live so this seems a lot more varied than what I was used to.
Edit: B’ham also initially boomed as an industrial city, the “Pittsburg of the South,” so the city fabric feels more established, bigger, and more cohesive than most of the cities on the list.
I do think Birmingham definitely has things to offer, but I don’t think it’s a standout among these cities for diverse neighborhoods/housing options, restaurants, or outdoor options. I’m knowledgeable about the city, but I’m not an expert, can you give examples of what sets it apart?
These kinds of mid-size metros (~750k-1.5m) really are kind of the sweet spot in a lot of ways. Big enough to have solid amenities and make a good living, small enough to stay affordable and comfortable.
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