The largest city in the state is home to roughly 212,000 people. It is also the central city in a much larger metropolitan area, which currently includes over 1.1 million people. The city is a vitally important business and economic powerhouse in the southeastern part of the country. Manufacturing, coal mining and banking are all vital industries in Birmingham today. One of the reasons that the city has boomed over the years is that it offers a low cost of living compared to the job and salary opportunities that appear to be present. This has made the city very appealing to young professionals looking to find a great place to launch a career.
When to Search
The popularity of Birmingham in recent years has resulted in a slightly reduced inventory of the best apartments, although there are plenty if you look at the city as a whole. If you want to look during the times of highest availability, you should focus your search after May and before September. Outside of that window you should still be able to find an apartment, but you may not get to be as choosy as you would like.
Searching for an apartment in Birmingham can be tough. That's why we scour the web to get all best listings around town. And our team of local experts verify the quality and accuracy of those listings to make sure that you have the best prices, images and information available. So unlike searching for an apartment on Craigslist, you can be sure that Rentable’s Birmingham apartment listings are safe, trustworthy and accurate.
Staying in the Know
Landlords in Birmingham are likely to want to know exactly why you're moving to the city, or why you're moving within it. There isn't really a wrong answer here, as people move to start new jobs, go to school, or to upgrade to a better place or location. Its just a way for them to get a sense of who they might invite into their property, so don't be afraid of these types of questions.
Life in Birmingham
Transportation
If you ask a local, they will probably tell you that driving is the only way to get around Birmingham. However, this is partly why the rush hours last 3 hours instead of one, and traffic congestion is so bad. To avoid this, you can ride busses operated by the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, which are part of either the DART or MAX systems.
Where to play
The love of motorsports in Alabama runs deep, and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Motorsports Park is a shrine to all things racing. If you like shopping, the city has one of the largest malls in the country at the Riverchase Galleria. There are several great bars in town as well. Two good examples are Inisfree, which has a distinctly college-bar vibe, and J. Clyde, which is more of an upscale beer bar.
Attractions
If you've ever been even slightly intrigued by a motorcycle, then a visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum will be a treat. This museum has one of the largest and most comprehensive motorcycle exhibits in the country. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a rich exhibit that helps paint a picture of what life was like in the tumultuous early parts of the 20th century in Birmingham, and how the citizens have made great strides towards equality despite the hardship faced along the way. If you have kids along when you're in Birmingham, a visit to the Birmingham Zoo is a fun way to spend the day, especially when the weather is nice.
Dining
Highlands Bar and Grill is a top-rated Birmingham restaurant. It’s upscale but not stuffy, and offers some of the best food in the city. If you like Mexican food, El Barrio in the downtown core is a gastropub that focuses on Mexican fare. For southern food, it seems like everyone has a favourite, but Saw’s Soul Kitchen is certainly a restaurant that gets frequently mentioned. People are especially crazy about Saw’s burgers and BBQ. Although it might seem like a strange combination, many people report getting one of the best burgers in town at a French restaurant. Chez Fonfon is very popular with the locals and visitors to town.
Bars
In addition to the Highlands, the J. Clyde is probably the other top bar in town. It has an exceptional selection of craft beer and is housed in a building that feels like the quintessential friendly American tavern. In the public voting for best bar on AL.com, the Rojo and the Speakeasy tied for 2nd. Live music at Speakeasy and the great bartenders at Rojo make both popular with a wide client base. There are also bars specifically geared towards fans of certain drinks. Avo & Dram caters to the whiskey drinkers in town, while Lou’s Pub focuses on classic cocktails.
Culture
Jazz is an integral part of the culture of the south, and Alabama has taken steps to share that with visitors to Birmingham. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame opened it's museum more than 20 years ago, and it hosts a number of concerts, workshops and events as well as playing host to a permanent collection that celebrates the history and art form of Jazz. Live theatre is also well represented in the city. The Red Mountain Theatre Company programs big-budget Broadway shows while also helping to spur the growth of new plays. They also operate a program to teach theatre and improve skills to young people.
Events
Racing is an incredibly popular sport throughout the south, and Birmingham is a hotbed of racing activities. The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is hosted annually at Barber Motorsports Park, and is one of the biggest events in town. On the Fourth of July, you must absolutely not miss the Thunder on the Mountain Fireworks show. This is a tradition that stretches back decades, and is widely acknowledged as one of the best 4th fireworks displays in the state. A relatively new event, Slice Fest is a small festival that celebrates the community with a block party that features music, pizza and beer.
Shopping
The Riverchase Galleria Mall is an attraction in and of itself. This mall counts itself among the largest in the country, and is a tourism draw as well as being the premiere shopping destination for the locals. The Summit is another high-end shopping center that features a Saks, Belk, and Gus Mayer. The Summit is also home to a number of great dining options including Fleming’s Steakhouse and the Cheesecake factory. Although the big malls are popular, there are also a lot of independent retailers scattered throughout the city. Try A’Mano to see one of the best, where you can buy artwork, pottery and glasswork.
Sports
As previously mentioned, racing is critical to Birmingham. Throughout the year events are held at Barber Motorsports Park, and racing remains one of the most popular sports in the region. Birmingham doesn't have a professional sports team from one of the big leagues, but is home to the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the White Sox. At one point in time, the city was home to a CFL franchise when the Canadian Football League attempted an expansion to America. However, the experiment proved to be ill advised and the team only lasted a single season.
Outdoors
Birmingham has the distinct honor of having more green space per capita than any other city in the country. The city is justifiably proud of it's parks that allow it to hold this title. The cycling paths in and around the city are extensive, with the most popular being the 17-mile loop that encircles Oak Mountain State Park. Fishing is also incredibly popular in Birmingham. You would be hard pressed to find better Bass fishing anywhere, and the residents will proudly make sure you know it. Some of the best nearby lakes for fishing include Lake Neely Henry, Lake Logan Martin and Smith Lake. Any of the above would provide you with the fishing trip of a lifetime.