Think Sweet home Alabama and Birmingham comes to mind.
Birmingham is located in Jones Valley in the foothills of the Appalachians, and most of the city limits lies in the flat lands of the valley. Birmingham has a lot of diversity in the people, the neighborhoods, and the types of locations one can live in. You can live on the top of the mountain overlooking the bustling valley or you can live next to the river. You can live close to the center of town, but feel like you are still in the country. You can live in the downtown areas or suburbs. Whatever living situation you enjoy, there are several areas where you could consider your Birmingham relocation.
Neighborhoods like Highland Park, Forest Park, South Avondale, and Crestwood are great family-friendly neighborhoods. Upscale neighborhoods developed along the flanks of Red Mountain as the city’s aristocracy escaped the industrial pollution and captured today’s panoramic views. These upscale developments are found along U.S. Highway 280 to the Southeast of the city.
Highland Park - Conveniently located less than two miles south of downtown Birmingham. Many of Highland Park streets are variously sloped, enabling people driving, cycling, or walking around the neighborhood to have many fine views and vistas. The area still has a thick tree cover which is visually pleasing, provides a heat shield, and encourages a great deal of outdoor activity. Birmingham's Highland Park neighborhood won a prestigious spot as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2011.
Forest Park – Near Highland Park community to the east.
South Avondale
Crestwood
Beautiful developments of Trussville, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Highland Lakes, and Vestavia Hills are a little more cookie cutter suburbia.
Trussville, Pop. 17,796 - For those who desire a more rural atmosphere, Trussville is an up-and-coming suburb of Birmingham. Located near the airport, this small community is just beginning to be developed. Homes and neighborhoods cost less currently but are still close to major interstates and city amenities.
Hoover, Pop. 81,619 - Home to one of the largest malls in the area, and MTV's "Two-a-Days" football team. Hoover has several wonderful neighborhoods with decent prices. Some of the larger mega-churches congregations are located here.
Mountain Brook, Pop. 20,821 - A wealthy suburb and you can find some of the best public schools in the area. Housing prices can be steep. I-459 Borders Mountain Brook and includes one of the nicest shopping centers in the city.
Vestavia Hills, Pop. 31,051 - Only 5-15 minutes to pretty much anything. Great public school system, but the trade is a higher housing cost. The area is pretty with the rolling hills, green landscape, and many great lakes nearby. Vestavia Hills borders Mountain Brook and you get many of the same amenities. Close to shopping and business, Vestavia is also home to wonderful medical facilities including a cancer center and Brookwood Hospital.
Shades Mountain - Another area of Birmingham near Vestavia hills, that encapsulates not only stunning views from the mountain, but also excellent churches and schools. Shades Mountain Christian School is rated one of the best Christian schools in the area. Photo by Patriarca12
Highland Lakes
There are certainly a great number of other wonderful community suburbs:
