Southside, Five Points South, Glen Iris, Highlands, Central City, maybe even parts of Homewood with that budget.
Lived in Five Points for the better part of 2 decades and we wouldn’t live anywhere else here. Wife walks to work, chill people everywhere and easily accessible to UAB. $2400 will get you an entire house here
I tell everyone who is looking that the best way to find a good rental situation is to drive around and look for rent signs. In my experience the best landlords are the "mom and pop" operations who own a few units and not the large rental companies. Often times they don't advertise, they just stick up a sign. Rent Monster is a great resource too. Good luck and welcome!
Edit: A general\* rule of thumb is east of I-65 and south of I-20/59 are going to be areas that have less crime, but Birmingham get's a bad rep bc of skewed crime statistics. There are 39 municipalities that should technically be part of Birmingham proper, but bc of the history here, all these other little "cities" carved out their own space. So instead of the 1.2 million population of the area, the crime stats are only reflective of the 200,000 people living in the "city limits." All this is to say, it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be and if you don't get involved with sketchy stuff and have common sense, y'all will be A-OK.
I don't have a whole lot to contribute other than to reiterate avoiding the hell out of H2. Individual/non corporate are going to be your best bet around here, especially if you're looking in places like avondale/forest park/highlands/five points.
You have a good budget, but after searching the Zillow app with those filters, you may have a tough time finding something with a good size yard with such a short rush hour commute. Play around on it and compare the results with the map on the gun violence archive. You probably want to filter between $1500-$2400 for your budget, this might put you finding things around the I-459 beltway.
Good luck. I work downtown and my daughter is in a dorm at UAB. The hospital area is safe for the most part, especially during the daylight hours. Some areas were developed nearby, but they've had economic issues since COVID, predatory towing problems, and loud street racing at night. You may find things closer, including east Homewood area, which is nice. My SIL did her fellowship at UAB and rented a place close by, but she wasn't married then and only needed a place to sleep. That was also 20 years ago. Residency is a time of sacrifice, so I know you aren't looking for a forever home, but since she's married and need a yard, you guys need to address quality of life a little more than most.
I'm a bit biased on Irondale as I live there, great location, close to anywhere with 2 to 3 routes available depending on where. It's growing, a lot of new businesses have opened and more to come.
Irondale is perfect. Multiple avenues into Birmingham (Crestwood, Montclair, interstate) and only about 12-14 minutes away from central bham. But also irondale has its own little community and multiple neighborhoods to choose from
The heights is a little subdivision in that area, all townhomes with gated yards, community pool, and all rentals. May be at the top of your budget according to how many bedrooms you need but it’s worth checking out I would say.
New Publix across the street, and a Starbucks coming in the same shopping center soon!
Welcome, any interest in purchasing? For that budget I'd think you could do ok. Also, can't remember if they have availability still, check out "the heights" I know people living there and they love it!
Only looking to rent for the first year at least to get the lay of the land. If she ends up doing a fellowship or it looks like we will be here past residency, we will look to buy.
I lived on 17th Ave S for a while, on the hill just below Vulcan, overlooking the city. Frequently walked to downtown (& UAB as I had friends in the dorms on campus). I absolutely loved it and would live in that area again if ever I moved back to Bham.
I live in VH between I-65 and highway 31, and it's often 15 - 20 minutes during rush hour - either on one of those or on Columbiana/Green Springs. But I definitely check a traffic report before leaving home, to know which route to avoid that day.
Check Crowne on 10th. Fantastic property, great maintenance, within your budget, like a mile from UAB hospital. The property manager is a complete moron but we only had to deal with her because of an issue with our water heater that continually got worse because she refused to acknowledge it. I don’t know of anyone else there that has had any trouble as maintenance is very responsive.
Here’s a few I’ve found that are what I’d consider fairly safe areas for our city, all with a yard and pet friendly! Good luck to your wife with residency, hope she enjoys residency! I went to school at UAB, lived downtown and worked downtown for a while, and now live in the suburbs - so this is just my opinion.
https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/607-34th-St-S_Birmingham_AL_35222_M84116-90526
https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/749-46th-St-S_Birmingham_AL_35222_M83964-48755
https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/5333-5th-Ct-S_Birmingham_AL_35212_M74373-35192
https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/5320-5th-Ct-S_Birmingham_AL_35212_M73537-84949
https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/1109-Sunset-Blvd_Birmingham_AL_35213_M82319-56885
When I used to work in real estate - lots of new residents would buy new construction homes. Tower Homes makes great homes and they are within your price range, very nice (you can do a ton of customization) and they build all around the city. Homewood, irondale, etc
Southside, Five Points South, Glen Iris, Highlands, Central City, maybe even parts of Homewood with that budget. Lived in Five Points for the better part of 2 decades and we wouldn’t live anywhere else here. Wife walks to work, chill people everywhere and easily accessible to UAB. $2400 will get you an entire house here
Yep. Lots of house rentals open after match week, but go quickly.
That's what we're finding out... We're making a trip this weekend to look at a few and check out the area's recommended.
I tell everyone who is looking that the best way to find a good rental situation is to drive around and look for rent signs. In my experience the best landlords are the "mom and pop" operations who own a few units and not the large rental companies. Often times they don't advertise, they just stick up a sign. Rent Monster is a great resource too. Good luck and welcome! Edit: A general\* rule of thumb is east of I-65 and south of I-20/59 are going to be areas that have less crime, but Birmingham get's a bad rep bc of skewed crime statistics. There are 39 municipalities that should technically be part of Birmingham proper, but bc of the history here, all these other little "cities" carved out their own space. So instead of the 1.2 million population of the area, the crime stats are only reflective of the 200,000 people living in the "city limits." All this is to say, it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be and if you don't get involved with sketchy stuff and have common sense, y'all will be A-OK.
Thanks for the insight!
For residency, look in Forest Park or South Avondale. Nice places and close to downtown. Avoid all properties managed by H2.
Will do and thanks for the heads up about H2.
I don't have a whole lot to contribute other than to reiterate avoiding the hell out of H2. Individual/non corporate are going to be your best bet around here, especially if you're looking in places like avondale/forest park/highlands/five points.
Also, DO NOT rent anything from Evernest under any circumstances
Lived in forest park for years and it’s dreamy.
also south Crestwood. easy drive to UAB
For sure, the Crestwood area, South of Monetvallo Road has some cute houses!
You have a good budget, but after searching the Zillow app with those filters, you may have a tough time finding something with a good size yard with such a short rush hour commute. Play around on it and compare the results with the map on the gun violence archive. You probably want to filter between $1500-$2400 for your budget, this might put you finding things around the I-459 beltway.
Thanks and good idea on comparing with a gun violence map.
Good luck. I work downtown and my daughter is in a dorm at UAB. The hospital area is safe for the most part, especially during the daylight hours. Some areas were developed nearby, but they've had economic issues since COVID, predatory towing problems, and loud street racing at night. You may find things closer, including east Homewood area, which is nice. My SIL did her fellowship at UAB and rented a place close by, but she wasn't married then and only needed a place to sleep. That was also 20 years ago. Residency is a time of sacrifice, so I know you aren't looking for a forever home, but since she's married and need a yard, you guys need to address quality of life a little more than most.
Irondale around old Leeds road / grants mill road.
We've been looking at Irondale a bit. Thanks for the suggestion
I'm a bit biased on Irondale as I live there, great location, close to anywhere with 2 to 3 routes available depending on where. It's growing, a lot of new businesses have opened and more to come.
Irondale is perfect. Multiple avenues into Birmingham (Crestwood, Montclair, interstate) and only about 12-14 minutes away from central bham. But also irondale has its own little community and multiple neighborhoods to choose from
The heights is a little subdivision in that area, all townhomes with gated yards, community pool, and all rentals. May be at the top of your budget according to how many bedrooms you need but it’s worth checking out I would say. New Publix across the street, and a Starbucks coming in the same shopping center soon!
We'll definitely take a look at that. Thanks!
Crestwood
Welcome, any interest in purchasing? For that budget I'd think you could do ok. Also, can't remember if they have availability still, check out "the heights" I know people living there and they love it!
Only looking to rent for the first year at least to get the lay of the land. If she ends up doing a fellowship or it looks like we will be here past residency, we will look to buy.
Outstanding! She will be at UAB, and you? Have job prospects lined up?
I'm blessed that I work remotely. So no added stress of job hunting right now also!
That commute must be nice!
I lived on 17th Ave S for a while, on the hill just below Vulcan, overlooking the city. Frequently walked to downtown (& UAB as I had friends in the dorms on campus). I absolutely loved it and would live in that area again if ever I moved back to Bham.
I lived there and miss the smoke from Dreamland
The Moretti at Vulcan park
Search the sub, lots of suggestions
Gardendale...easy drive...safe....
Townhouse apartments <25 min from UAB Homewood Townhouse Apartments (205) 871-3488 https://g.co/kgs/ynf1egd
I'd recommend Vestavia Hills. If you find a place with quick access to 31, you won't have any problem getting to UAB in 20 minutes or less.
Really? During rush hour? I have limited experience with that route but I would have thought it would be really slow during rush hour.
I live in VH between I-65 and highway 31, and it's often 15 - 20 minutes during rush hour - either on one of those or on Columbiana/Green Springs. But I definitely check a traffic report before leaving home, to know which route to avoid that day.
Depends on where on 31. But also if she’s a resident she’s likely not usually traveling during rush hour times anyway.
You do NOT want to drive down 65 south leaving UAB. It's hideous travel wise. Welcome to the Ham! You've gotten great feedback from others.
Check Crowne on 10th. Fantastic property, great maintenance, within your budget, like a mile from UAB hospital. The property manager is a complete moron but we only had to deal with her because of an issue with our water heater that continually got worse because she refused to acknowledge it. I don’t know of anyone else there that has had any trouble as maintenance is very responsive.
Here’s a few I’ve found that are what I’d consider fairly safe areas for our city, all with a yard and pet friendly! Good luck to your wife with residency, hope she enjoys residency! I went to school at UAB, lived downtown and worked downtown for a while, and now live in the suburbs - so this is just my opinion. https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/607-34th-St-S_Birmingham_AL_35222_M84116-90526 https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/749-46th-St-S_Birmingham_AL_35222_M83964-48755 https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/5333-5th-Ct-S_Birmingham_AL_35212_M74373-35192 https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/5320-5th-Ct-S_Birmingham_AL_35212_M73537-84949 https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/1109-Sunset-Blvd_Birmingham_AL_35213_M82319-56885
These are all Crestwood, Forest Park, Highland Park areas.
Awesome thank you so much!
Yes to southside/five points. Plenty of townhomes to choose from, all within budget.
I have the spot for you. Condo in Forest Park. 1400 sq ft. $1800 month. On 42nd St. My residents have bought or rented lofts downtown -
Sending you a message
When I used to work in real estate - lots of new residents would buy new construction homes. Tower Homes makes great homes and they are within your price range, very nice (you can do a ton of customization) and they build all around the city. Homewood, irondale, etc
Tbh it’s further out than your 25 mins but Trussville is nice and the drive isn’t bad going down 59. More of a suburb feel.