potentially moving to birmingham but have no idea what the city is like dont know where to live HELP!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by jakabedy

Don't do Oxmoor Glen. That is a newer housing development to the west of Homewood and has nice homes, but it is NOT Homewood. I think it is actually in Birmingham city limits.

The trick to that area (often called "Oxmoor Valley") and why they built new houses there in the first place is because of the Vestavia Hills school system just over the mountain. Vestavia Hills was part of a consent decree back in the day that required them to take in a certain number of minority students from a certain geographic area: the semi-rural and historically black area where these recent developments have gone in. However, in the last year or so, Vestavia has gotten out from under that and I think they are taking only siblings of currently-enrolled students, or something like that and the wholedeal will taper off in a few years. That's why those houses are sitting there unsold.

ps - I just searched for houses in Oxmoor Glen and indeed they are not zoned for Homewood or Vestavia, but for Wenonoah High School (Birmingham City). I know you don't have kids, but resale will be a big issue when you want to get $200K for a house zoned for Wenonah.

So make sure that any house you see is actually in the city limits of Homewood. If you're looking in the under 200K range and want Homewood, you will have to look hard. If you'll consider condos or townhouses you'll have better luck.

Well, parts of Oxmoor Valley are zoned for Hoover schools, which are really good. So you just need to be careful where you buy. That being said, living inside the Birmingham City limits is great as long as you don't have to deal with the atrocious public schools.

[jakabedy]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Well, parts of Oxmoor Valley are zoned for Hoover schools, which are really good. So you just need to be careful where you buy. That being said, living inside the Birmingham City limits is great as long as you don't have to deal with the atrocious public schools.

That's true. You're talking about Ross Bridge and some areas around there, I think. But Ross Bridge is IN Hoover, not just zoned for Hoover Schools. I just didn't want Clifford to move to what he thought was Homewood and plunk down 200K for a house (up to 380K in Oxmoor Ridge!) only to learn it's really Birmingham. Hoover is fine, too. I was just confining my comments to the Oxmoor Glen/Oxmoor Ridge area, which (if you ask me) is a bit shady in its marketing.

I'm not anti-Birmingham at all. I lived in Birmingham for years -- Roebuck Springs, Crestwood -- and loved it. I was even a neighborhood officer! But if I'm spending 200K+ in the city of Birmingham I'm going to be in an historic home or a new condo in Crestwood or Highland/Forest Park area -- not out in Oxmoor Valley in new construction. The resale market for Crestwood/Highland/Forest Park will always be there. I wouldn't be too sure about that Oxmoor Glen/Oxmoor Ridge area area.

[oldclifford]

Got it！Really appreciate your answers. You are correct, it is kinda hard to find a house in Homewood under 200K. Maybe townhouse is a better choice then.