Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum May be moving to Al. Need info please.

Where to live near Birmingham?
I have 3 young sons with the oldest being 10. We always lived in the country and plan to keep it that way. If the move happens I'll be looking to purchase a some acreage to have a stand or 2 on for them and I'd like to be somewhat close to some public land for me to bow hunt. I know nothing about this area. Want to be in a decent area to raise a family so any tips on places to avoid that may be a bit ruff, if you know what I mean, would be appreciated. Good schools and good country folks is what I'm looking for.
Also, whats the deer hunting like over there. Hogs? I only hunt traditional bows so public land with short gun seasons is a plus. I've been to the Howard Hill shoot there once. Beautiful place.
Well I guess that gives you a general idea of what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance.

between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa will be your best bet

Depending on how far you are willing to commute, you can get a lot more land for your money in Chilton county. A $200K house in Chilton county will cost you twice that in B'ham. Good schools and about a 40 minute drive. The hunting can vary widely.

Check out Hayden to Cullman area on I-65N and Springville area and above on I-59N.

What this guy said.Just good ole country folks round here and there's always land for sale.

Springville, AL

If schools are a top priority and you can hand pick where you can live - I would look at Cullman, AL pretty hard. Which will give you most everything else you asked for.

Springville, Helena, Locust Fork, Leeds (Up on the mountain).... there are several good options.

I agree. Cullman has very good schools. You can find land around there without much trouble. Not an expensive place to live.

Helena

Will you be driving in to down town bham every day? If so, the problem with moving way out, is the traffic. That 40 minute drive from chilton county, will turn in to 1.5-2hrs in rush hour. Personally, I would look at the helena, mccalla areas. Not too bad of traffic coming in to town from that direction, and you would have a big wma out your back door. A house is going to be more expensive than cullman or chilton county, but IMO those would beat you to death if you're commuting.

The leeds, moody, odenville area would be a slightly cheaper option, with decent schools. Traffic isn't terrible from I-20, and you have national forest and wma within 30-45 minutes.

guess I was typing while you were

Atoler is right about the ride.If you're looking to work in Bham or surrounding areas I'd look at Helena or Chelsea.Something bout them 2 places I like.If you're not looking to work in Bham Chilton Co is the place to be.We got thousands of acres of public land and great lil country schools.Actually the school I went to is #50 in the top 100 schools in Bama with like 684 kids from k-12..I wouldn't live anywhere else but I was born and raised here.

Where will you be working? If you're working near the center of Birmingham vs south of town that changes things.

Since you said you like to bow hunt and would like to be around public land, I'm surprised none of the local people have said to look around the Cahaba WMA area.

I did... Cahaba is out the back door of Helena and mccalla

Jasper/Walker county if you want cheap land/housing. And lots of hunting out that way. I-22 will be completed soon and you'd be looking at a 30 min or so commute to downtown Bham.

I live in north Jefferson County/Corner/Bagley area. We have great schools. Country living.

If you like hogs, there is/was good hunting in the Mt Olive area (20 mins to Bham). I know one of those clubs is still there...the other was near a strip pit..so I'm not sure about that one anymore.

Alot of the places above are good as well. But DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CONSIDER SOUTH OF BHAM or OUT HWY 280 IF YOUR COMMUTING TO BHAM. LOL That's the devil's drive in. Ask anyone. You couldn't give me a home in those area's if I drove to Bham daily.

This is spot on. Traffic from south of town, either 280 or 65 is a nightmare. The 20 mile trip from Helena to downtown area is easily an hour in the mornings. Same from Chelsea. Afternoons can be even worse.

I wouldn't live in McCalla if you paid me. Jefferson County School system isn't bad, but the school out there are not "good schools". Also, a LOT of crime.

My wife worked in Helena for 12 years. The worst thing about getting in and out of there is trains. There is no way in or out of the town that you don't have to cross train tracks. The trains don't run on any schedule and you can get stuck for a long time just sitting.

Traffic coming from north of town or east of town on I-20 isn't near as bad.

Another vote for Helena. We absolutely love it and the schools are fantastic. The city has a great family atmosphere and there are plenty of hunting options at Cahaba WMA within 10 minutes. Look for acreage/home out County Road 13. Sounds like your boys are about the same ages as mine. Great youth athletics/coaches as well in Helena if you guys are into that. Another place to look would be Maylene.

What part of Miss are you moving from?

Helena does have good schools. Most Shelby County schools are good.