My very liberal friend might move to Alabama! Help!

[fleabert]

how is birmingham? any neighborhoods she should target in her search for a home? Urban/residential setting is preferred, any suggestions? She has no idea where to even start...

[quaoar]

1. The most liberal part of Birmingham

is the Southside. But if she has school-age kids I don't recommend it because the city school system sucks. Homewood would be her best choice -- urbane, lots of trees, good schools, very close to everything.

[fleabert]

4. many thanks! she should be there soon to look around, and I'll tell her

to start in Homewood (hope it's easy to find!)

Thanks!

[southlandshari]

2. I had a blast when I lived in Birmingham

There are a lot of interesting people and things to do there if you know where to look. The colleges and universities in the area are top notch and attract folks from all over the country. It's been more than ten years since I lived there for a couple of years, but at that time, the south side of downtown Birmingham was where a lot of my progressive friends lived. Lots of funky old houses and small apartment complexes. Crime rate probably isn't the lowest, but I'm hearing you say she's not looking to live in the safety of the suburbs, right?

We've got some good Birmigham DUers who I'm sure will offer some good suggestions. Here is one site that might be helpful:

http://irregularnews.com/states/alabama.html

Hope this helps!

[fleabert]

3. that is great to hear, I will share the site with her

and you are correct, the suburbs=Hell for her! There's no safety in seclusion and fear!

thanks!

[jody]

5. Traffic congested during peak times so location close to work is desirable

:hi:

[quaoar]

6. Indeed

Stay away from the Highway 280 corridor. The traffic is a friggin' nightmare.

[fleabert]

7. thanks to both for that tip...a trip is imminent in the next few weeks...

hope I get to go with! Anything I should suggest to see?

[Syrinx]

8. There's always the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

:hi:

http://www.bcri.org/index.html