Friend is considering moving to Birmingham, AL for work

Birmingham is a very nice city.

Hope he loves bible thumpers and chain restaurants.

Obviously you dont want to live in west B'ham area...but the suburbs south and parts north its just a regular place to live.

Isn't the leadership supposed to be as bad as Baton Rouge's?

I lived in B'ham area for about 6 years. Very nice area once you get past all the Roll Tide and War Eagle bullshite. I actually lived in Alabaster which was about 17 miles south of downtown B'ham and only 10 minute drive from Hoover.

I will admit it was different than BR. Around here it is no big deal to drink a beer at a neighbors house. While in B'ham, I had to watch who I offered a beer to. Some would get offended.

It's a nice enough city with a good food, drink, and music scene

I lived there for 28 years. The most important question is... what is his line of work? Also, Birmingham is usually represented as the Greater Birmingham Metro Area which is well over 1 million in population (might be 1.5 now). It is very spread out with a nice population density and the full gamut of ghetto to millionare estates. Most people moving there, are actually going to live, work, and play in the suburbs. Cost of living is very nice and there are some very nice, very affordable neighborhoods in Shelby and St Clair County. I've lived all over the area and there's something for everyone except BIG city people (no car, all your friends live on your block, you pass 10 eateries on your way to your job 2 blocks away).

Depending on where he's moving from - it will probably be a huge upgrade.

Mountain Brook
Hoover
Pelham
Homewood
Trussville
Vestavia Hills

All are very good places to live and provide an easy, short commute to downtown Birmingham.

It's worst parts are as bad as Detroit, and it's best parts are as good as Metairie with hills.

I lived in Birmingham for 3 years and really liked it. Pretty good hiking and mountain bike trails. There are lots of good roads to just go for drives. Airport has pretty good flight options and the city is located where you can take some nice weekend road trips.

I had no problem finding plenty of good restaurants. I found all of the "Cajun" options pretty mediocre though. Like others have said, I'd look in Vestavia or Mountain Brook to live.