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Moving to Birmingham, AL

Posted on 3/26/20 at 9:15 pm
Posted by TigerBaw05
Member since Jun 2018
124 posts
Posted on 3/26/20 at 9:15 pm
Fellas, my wife has just matched for pediatric residency in Birmingham so we're about

to pack up and move so I come seeking help. First, I don't know much about the

surrounding areas but I know Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Hoover

are desirable areas but I'm not sure if I'm missing any or if there are any hidden gems!

I'm working in industrial construction in Houston now. I know it's a bad climate now to

be looking for a job but I have no choice lol. Any helpful info would be greatly

appreciated!
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75152 posts
Posted on 3/26/20 at 9:41 pm to
Ross Bridge is a nice area and golf course
Posted by TigerBaw05
Member since Jun 2018
124 posts
Posted on 3/26/20 at 9:44 pm to
Found an awesome house right around there but it's just on the outside of our price range
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75152 posts
Posted on 3/26/20 at 9:52 pm to
Posted by The Spleen
Member since Dec 2010
38865 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 8:28 am to
Really depends on if you have kids, especially school aged kids. All of the places you listed have great schools, and each one has its pros and cons.

If you don't have kids, I'd definitely scratch Hoover off the list, but that's a personal preference. I'd focus on Homewood, Mt Brook, Vestavia, or even some of the neighborhoods in Bham proper. Crestwood, Crestline, Forest Park.

Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12731 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 10:09 am to
We live right near the Derby Downs neighborhood. It is in Vestavia, and you can get to most of the schools from the neighborhood without getting out on main roads. Houses are reasonable older homes, some have been updated and some you might be able to get cheaper and do some interior upgrades yourself. Where will she be working? Downtown or at a clinic away from the hospitals?
Posted by Aubie Spr96
lolwut?
Member since Dec 2009
41072 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 10:49 am to
quote:

I'd focus on Homewood, Mt Brook, Vestavia, or even some of the neighborhoods in Bham proper. Crestwood, Crestline, Forest Park.


Homewood and Vestavia have some affordable areas still. All of Mt Brook is expensive except for maybe the Brookwood Forest Area. Crestwood, Forest Park, Avondale, or a loft downtown would be great if you don't have kids and the wife is working downtown somewhere.

We are in Cahaba Heights and love it. Lots of restaurants and close proximity to downtown.
Posted by The Spleen
Member since Dec 2010
38865 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 11:00 am to
My friends are house hunting now and he claims Mt Brook is more affordable than Homewood is right now if you look at price per sq foot in their price range. They're looking in the $500-$600k range. They prefer Homewood, but with 3 kids they're having a hard time finding a house suitable for them in the parts of Homewood they prefer, while they've found several in Mt Brook. Not sure why they're not looking in Vestavia.
Posted by TypoKnig
Member since Aug 2011
8928 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 11:22 am to
quote:

My friends are house hunting now and he claims Mt Brook is more affordable than Homewood is right now if you look at price per sq foot in their price range.


This is true just because most of the houses in Mountain Brook are huge compared to the smaller cottages in Homewood. Not to mention a lot of those Mountain Brook homes will need some updating.

OP, I would look I Homewood since it’s so centrally located and a nice area.
This post was edited on 3/27/20 at 11:23 am
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12731 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 11:27 am to
quote:

This is true just because most of the houses in Mountain Brook are huge compared to the smaller cottages in Homewood


Yep. We bought in Vestavia 12-13 years ago. Market was down. But even with that, the prices in Homewood were sky high for what you got. I'm talking like 1/10 of an acre lot with basically no yard. We needed a little space for dogs and kids so we ended up here. Also consider the commute. That used to not matter for me because I worked for a CPA firm and was all over town for audits or travelling out of town. Now that I'm out of that world, being centrally located to what you need is a must. Even commuting from VH to downtown every day isn't that bad. I leave my house at 7:15, drop one of the kids off, and I'm downtown before 8:00 on most days.
Posted by Aubie Spr96
lolwut?
Member since Dec 2009
41072 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 11:29 am to
quote:

Mt Brook is more affordable than Homewood is right now if you look at price per sq foot in their price range.



I can see this. There are some areas of Homewood that are more affordable than others. Same with any of the burbs really.

OP, there are a bunch of good commercial construction companies here in town. Harbert and Brasfield being the largest.
Posted by The Spleen
Member since Dec 2010
38865 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 1:22 pm to
quote:

There are some areas of Homewood that are more affordable than others. Same with any of the burbs really.



They do want to be in the area of Homewood walking distance to the park, so that is likely why they're having a hard time finding something in their price range.
Posted by wryder1
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2008
4156 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 1:58 pm to
I currently live in mountain Brook by Cahaba heights and absolutely love the area. I have access to everything I want, without having to deal with the traffic. I thought I’d hate living in Birmingham but after being here since 2012, I could imagine going back to Louisiana for anything other than being closer to family. Great restaurants, schools and a lot to do. We are also close to Atlanta, Nashville and same distance to the beach.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12731 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 2:00 pm to
quote:

We are also close to Atlanta, Nashville and same distance to the beach.


ATL is an easy day trip, and Nashville is a good weekend trip from BHM. And we go to Fairhope for vacation and can get there in under 4 hours. Parents used to have a condo in Destin but it is a ton of small roads once you get past Montgomery. Fairhope is interstate except the last hour or so.
Posted by Aubie Spr96
lolwut?
Member since Dec 2009
41072 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 2:40 pm to
quote:

currently live in mountain Brook by Cahaba heights and absolutely love the area.



Neighbor!


I grew up in Bham and have lived here all my life. If you'd have asked me about moving here 10 years ago, I'd have told you no way. Things have really changed around here for the better. The food scene is fantastic and the bar scene gets better every year.
Posted by AA7
Birmingham, AL
Member since Nov 2009
26681 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

Crestwood

I’ve lived in a few different areas and this is by far my favorite.
Posted by dirtsandwich
AL
Member since May 2016
5127 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 5:45 pm to
I
This post was edited on 6/9/20 at 9:31 pm
Posted by TigerBaw05
Member since Jun 2018
124 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 6:44 pm to
I’ve applied to Brassfield and a handful more so we’ll see what happens there! Would be cool to find something low key.

Reading all these, were really excited about moving and it sounds like Homewood and areas around Mountain Brook sound great and not having kids it sounds like the best options.

I haven’t heard of Harbert but I’ll definitely look at them! Looking forward to switching up careers haha.

Definitely down for a meet up!
Posted by dirtsandwich
AL
Member since May 2016
5127 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 7:00 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/9/20 at 9:30 pm
Posted by EGJRock
Member since Aug 2011
24 posts
Posted on 3/27/20 at 7:58 pm to
Homewood is awesome for younger couples. Mountain Brook or Vestavia once you have kids.
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