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re: Moving to the Birmingham Area. **updated**
Posted on 5/2/16 at 8:47 am to Flanders
Posted on 5/2/16 at 8:47 am to Flanders
quote:
I was in Helena for the weekend and got a decent preview of the potential traffic heading north. It definitely could suck.
just a suggestion from somebody that has lived there - the potential traffic is a definite not a potential lol since you will go as far south as alabaster and all the way out to irondale i would start your search at Hoover and go north. in the long run, it'll pay off and you'll be a lot happier not dealing with traffic and trains.
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Posted on 5/2/16 at 9:07 am to parrothead
quote:
i would start your search at Hoover and go north. in the long run, it'll pay off and you'll be a lot happier not dealing with traffic and trains.
Agreed.
Depending on your budget, I'd look at the Bluff Park area of Hoover, West Homewood, Crestline Park, or downtown (Avondale, Crestwood, etc.). If you have a higher budget, then you can add Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Edgewood/Hollywood to your list. If you are really adventurous, consider Woodlawn. It's a bit further behind those other areas in terms of gentrification, but its coming. I went by to the Woodlawn Cycle Cafe this weekend. It's evident people are starting to invest in that area.
Posted on 5/2/16 at 12:08 pm to parrothead
I used to commute Pelham to Irondale from 119/valleydale. That area wasn't ever too bad for traffic, most of the delays are behind that spot when heading north and 459 to grants mill and cutting over to irondale made everything pretty easy. That said, it was already a bitch with little traffic...I couldn't imagine having to add in coming from Helena to that mix. I had wanted to move out that way at one point, but that drive was just too damn much.
Posted on 5/2/16 at 1:14 pm to BHMKyle
Bluff Park is a good area and is definitely affordable and close to downtown. I grew up there and not much has changed.
Posted on 5/23/16 at 3:00 pm to BHMKyle
Update
I have narrowed my search. I will be leasing an apartment my first year back so I can get an understanding of the area.
I have narrowed my search to the west side of hoover around Ross bridge and lakeshore areas.
My other choice is the Cahaba heights area along 280. There are some great apt complexes in both areas. Now I'm weighing the pros/cons of each.
I have narrowed my search. I will be leasing an apartment my first year back so I can get an understanding of the area.
I have narrowed my search to the west side of hoover around Ross bridge and lakeshore areas.
My other choice is the Cahaba heights area along 280. There are some great apt complexes in both areas. Now I'm weighing the pros/cons of each.
Posted on 5/23/16 at 8:41 pm to Flanders
Given those choices, I would lease in Cahaba Heights. It's so close to downtown and to I459.
You can be anywhere quickly from interstates or neighborhood roads (if the traffic is backed up).
Good decision to rent an apt for a year.
You can be anywhere quickly from interstates or neighborhood roads (if the traffic is backed up).
Good decision to rent an apt for a year.
Posted on 5/23/16 at 9:00 pm to Flanders
Yeah the only con to Cahaba is 280. If you're in a situation where you wouldn't be on it much then I would lean that area. I'm in Riverchase. Not my favorite area but the commute to work is amazing.
Posted on 5/23/16 at 10:47 pm to Flanders
If you can afford Ross Bridge I would personally choose there.
Since you're still young if you want easy access to downtown and night life then go Cahaba Heights.
I wouldn't consider Lakeshore myself. Unless you mean LakeVIEW, in that case Lakeview should be your new #1.
Since you're still young if you want easy access to downtown and night life then go Cahaba Heights.
I wouldn't consider Lakeshore myself. Unless you mean LakeVIEW, in that case Lakeview should be your new #1.
Posted on 5/23/16 at 11:59 pm to BowlJackson
quote:
I wouldn't consider Lakeshore myself.
Pretty sure he's talking about the far end where it hits Hwy 150 north of Ross Bridge.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 12:26 am to Evolved Simian
Yeah I figured. I know they're building a lot recently by Red Mountain Park and Oxmoor Valley Golf Course. I'm just not a fan of the area. That stretch of Lakeshore is ugly, and just as far away from everything as Ross Bridge, and way too close to the Bessemer cutoff. Driving Lakeshore everyday, especially that stretch, can't be good for your car either.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 7:55 am to AA7
I drive 280 everyday and it has improved significantly since they made the traffic light changes and added lanes around the hospital. The only area it really backs up is between Target and Whole Foods, and most of the time it is at least moving. I only get stuck in stop and go traffic maybe once a week outside of that stretch, whereas before the changes it was every day. Of course if there's a wreck then all bets are off.
Really wish they would have added a third lane to the 459 Westbound overpass. I think that would alleviate even more congestion.
Really wish they would have added a third lane to the 459 Westbound overpass. I think that would alleviate even more congestion.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 8:12 am to The Spleen
quote:
I drive 280 everyday and it has improved significantly since they made the traffic light changes and added lanes around the hospital.
The SCATS and access management projects really helped 280, but it is still WAY over capacity.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 8:21 am to pvilleguru
Yeah, it's still bad, but people make it out to be like it's bumper to bumper from downtown all the way to Chelsea. It can be that way if there's a wreck or two, but most days it is pretty manageable with just a couple of spots being bumper to bumper. Other parts of town get just as bad in my experience, or worse if we want to talk about I-65 around Alabaster.
My average drive time from Inverness to Mt Brook is about 15-20 minutes.
My average drive time from Inverness to Mt Brook is about 15-20 minutes.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 8:40 am to The Spleen
Everybody is just moving to the Birmingham area all of a sudden.
My brother just got a promotion and is moving to Chelsea.
My brother just got a promotion and is moving to Chelsea.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 11:15 am to Gary Busey
quote:
My brother just got a promotion and is moving to Chelsea.
My gf is from Chelsea. Prayers sent
Posted on 5/24/16 at 12:34 pm to The Spleen
quote:
people make it out to be like it's bumper to bumper from downtown all the way to Chelsea
For many years, that was the case. It still leaves a bitter taste in your mouth if you ever worked on the corridor then. I could get on 459 and make a 30 mile drive home faster than I could drive the two miles to, say, Crazy Cajun for lunch.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 2:16 pm to Flanders
quote:
There are some great apt complexes in both areas. Now I'm weighing the pros/cons of each.
If you are going the apartment route, I would highly suggest Cahaba Heights over the west side of Hoover. Ross Bridge is probably great if you have kids and want to get involved in the community (dominated by families with young children), but unless you fit that demographic, Cahaba Heights is a much better location.
It's just as close to downtown, but you are also closer to the Summit as well as Homewood and Mountain Brook... and that's where most of the action in town is anyway.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 2:20 pm to AA7
quote:
eah the only con to Cahaba is 280.
Not that bad. There are backroads that can take you under the highway to the Colonnade and Altadena areas.... as well as backroads leading the other direction into Mountain Brook.
280 getting into downtown is not bad from Cahaba Heights. Shelby County is where it gets bad... mainly because of poor planning and bad zoning laws for years that have caused major traffic issues today. If you are inside I-459, then you'll be fine. That's where the speed picks up.
Posted on 5/24/16 at 3:38 pm to Evolved Simian
quote:
For many years, that was the case
Oh, for sure. We've been in our house for 13 years now and before the traffic light modifications, it was a nightmare getting anywhere on 280 from lunchtime through 6 or 7 at night. I used to take a half day every Friday during Christmas season just to avoid the worst of the traffic.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 8:47 am to Flanders
quote:
I have narrowed my search to the west side of hoover around Ross bridge and lakeshore areas.
I live on the west side of the Hoover/ Helena area off 459 and would take it any day over 280. Ross Bridge would be an excellent choice. Shades Crest towards Lakeshore would be awesome as well. You have plenty of amenities, restaurants, etc. with The Galleria, Patton Creek, and The Grove areas. In my opinion, traffic is much better on this side of town. If you have easy access to 459 you can get to anywhere rather quickly. That includes The Summit and Cahaba Heights area without having to be on 280 hardly at all. If you live off Shades Crest towards Lakeshore you are not far at all from I-65. Highway 150 can be busy at times but nowhere near the cluster frick of 280. I love living on this side of town.
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 8:52 am
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