Not sure if this has been asked before, but Homes are going for about $138,600 on average. With a population of 199K, Birmingham is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 64°F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks! The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
3 upvotes
27 Replies
Eliana G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Baltimore it's hit or miss.
39 upvotes
Joseph R.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Daniel Hill
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
36 upvotes
nycpapa2025
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Ariana
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Pamela H.
This.
32 upvotes
Robert M.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Ryan C.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
James Ross
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
29 upvotes
raised_gabriel25
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
25 upvotes
Audrey
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Adam
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
21 upvotes
Noah M.
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
Mason
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Daniel M.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
19 upvotes
Easton G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Jonathan Patel
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Declan Morales
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
Charlotte Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
phoenix_mackenzie
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Evan Ramos
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's solid.
6 upvotes
Gabriel Ross
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Luna Chavez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Roman Lopez
not my experience at all
3 upvotes
Connor Hall
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Hannah C.
yeah no that's not right
1 upvotes
Owen L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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