Can't wait to downsize when my youngest leaves the house in the next 18 months. The wife and I would LOVE to be downtown, but not having an outdoor space and not having a place for the bass boat would be hindrances. I will be looking for a county zoned house off Rocky Ridge or in Cahaba Heights pretty soon.

I like the Leeds/Moody area as well (I own a house out there). Housing is reasonable and commute times aren't awful. There just isn't much in the way of entertainment and other than some local BBQ places, there aren't any local eateries.

you right about that....I was glad when they built a BWW in Pell City...but hey we getting a few places now. Moody has a couple of pretty good BBQ places here in Moody now.

Having lived in Southside I wouldn't live downtown. I'd look for a rental in Homewood, Vestavia or Crestline Park... maybe Highlands Ave area of Southside and that's a maybe....you're within a short Uber ride of anywhere you need to go trolling late night downtown from any of those spots.

People tell me I'm wrong but I don't believe them after experiencing as much crime down there as I did 20 years ago no way in HAIL I'd live down there. Birmingham is real funny.. you don't hear about stuff that happens on the news like you'd think you would. They'd spend the whole news cast every night going through the list if they did. Lot of bad stuff goes on and nobody every catches wind of it.

If I was single like you, Homewood would be it. I really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want, city or country.

No offense, but, Mcalla and Gardendale are Jefferson County School system. No way I would choose that over Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia or Trussville schools. Just look at the rankings of schools.

Jefferson County politics sucks, but it has almost zero affect on me. I promise you Jefferson County taxes are easily offset by what I would save in time and gas to drive in from 30 freaking miles out of town.

Crime in downtown is absolutely no higher than Hoover or Pelham. South side has more crime than downtown. Downtown today and downtown 20 years ago are nothing alike.

Go wait in line for your car tag and get back to me. I live in jeffco but maintain Shelby as my residence because of all the bs involved with tags and licenses. Second, the sewer issue. Third, you have those monkeys on the city council pulling the strings....

Academically, mountain brook is likely the best public school in the state. Vestavia is good. Homewood is going downhill but used to be very good, still decent. Hoover is the worst in the over the mountain area. All the others are average to awful.

What are you qualifying as downtown? I'm pretty sure I understand the areas that you are talking about, but go ten blocks in the wrong direction from any of the safe areas and you will be scared to get out of your car at the gas station at 10pm.

You don't have to go wait in line for a car tag. You can get them in the mail. Unless it is a new car. But, my cars are registered in Blount County, anyway.

The sewer issue is 12 year old news. That crap is over and done. The sewer charges suck as a result for sure.

The city counsel has what to do with Jefferson County? Birmingham and Jefferson county are not one and the same. I agree about the city counsel. But, if you have actually been to city counsel meetings in other cities, the stupidity level is pretty consistent. Birmingham's is a joke, no doubt.

As for schools, I would add Trussville as a really good system. Other than that I agree.

Well, I wouldn't be scared, but I know what you are saying and you are correct. I mean the city center, between I-65 and Red Mountain Expressway and Lynn Park and say 4th or 5th avenue South.

Forgot about trussville and brain fart on city council, although I guess they do control several of the convenient shopping areas.

Basically, it boils down to need. If you don't need to be downtown every day, then get the heck out of Jefferson county. If you do, then mountain brook, vestavia, portions of homewood, and portions of Hoover are good areas to consider.

My girlfriend will be finishing up at Auburn in the next year and a half or so.
But ya like Atoler said it will need to be figured out where my territory is.

Morgans brother lives on the Pinson/Trussville line. It seems like an alright area.

Yes they do. But you're welcome

There are some great places now downtown...homewood is way too expensive (even more so than vestavia and others now)5 points area is cool and lakeview area...Avondale area is getting safer and safer/really coming up now

[quote=AU7MM08

Morgans brother lives on the Pinson/Trussville line. It seems like an alright area. [/quote]

Depending on where you're talking about, that area can be pretty rough. Several good areas as well, just know for sure what you are getting into before you committ to something out that way.

I've enjoyed hanging around Avondale the past few days with friends. Seems like a cool area.

Depending on where you're talking about, that area can be pretty rough. Several good areas as well, just know for sure what you are getting into before you committ to something out that way. [/quote]

Yep, you want to be more Trussville and less Pinson.

got stats to prove that? What about these teenagers murdered in broad daylight right next to railroad park http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/02/young_man_shot_to_death_on_2nd.html

And yes the sewer is old news, but Jefferson county residents will be paying for it for 200 more years. All because of the corrupt mayor and city council and corrupt water works board. The people being elected today in Birmingham are no different. Also the property taxes are ridiculous compared to the services and roads we get in Shelby county.

Wow one murder. Must be the most dangerous place in the world. No one is ever killed in Shelby County. No one ever gets raped in Shelby County mohel by County is the greatest place on earth.

Give me a fraking break. Hundreds of thousands of people are downtown week and you can show one murder. Wow! And that isn't even a random crime. Hell, we even have murders in Mountain Brook some times.

Birmingham and Jefferson County are the devil, everyone run.

All of you show your lack of knowledge regarding Birmingham and Jefferson County when you talk about the mayor and city counsel and the sewer problems. The city of Birmingham has zero to do with the COUNTY SEWER system. The sewer system is not run by the Birmingham water works either. The sewer issues were caused by the county commission.

But, but, but, those idiots at the city of Birmingham must be to blame. I heard they caused worship the devil.