Relocating to the Birmingham, Alabama area inthe next 3 months and would any and all input from anyone who does or has lived there. Please do not reply if you are not one of these.

Well, a lot depends on what you really value in life, and where you or your significant other will be working. However, let me give you my best advice:

IF YOU ARE SINGLE/MARRIED WITHOUT KIDS: If you like a diverse lifestyle, with an eclectic mix of people, entertainment options, great restaurants, exposure to the arts, etc., then Birmingham’s Southside (especially Forest Park) will be ideal for you, along with Homewood and Mountain Brook.

IF YOU HAVE KIDS: You really want to be in a good school system. If so, then you want to be (in order) Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Hoover, and Homewood. Of these four communities, Hoover is the most affordable of all. But Mountain Brook, with one of the country’s Top 20 school systems, is actually more affordable than Homewood or Vestavia per square foot.

REGARDLESS: Try to live within the I-459 corridor. Because Birmingham is hilly, there are just a few corridors south of town. 280 has become hopelessly overcrowded and makes for a miserable commute past the 280-I-459 junction. Down I-65 is better, but still no fun. However, if you find a place to live within the I-459 corridor, you’ll find that Birmingham is an extraordinarily livable city with far more things to do that you might have expected.

IF YOU REALLY LIKE THE RURAL LIFESTYLE: Then I would suggest east of town on I-20. That gives you a reasonable commute into the city, and somewhat quick access to good shopping.

Good luck on your search. We moved to Birmingham from Chicago about five years ago. My wife practically had to be forced to move here at gunpoint, but now won’t live anywhere else. You’ll find a gracious, beautiful city with a surprisingly vibrant cultural life and very friendly people. Just take the time to find people with common interests and you’ll really love it here.