Deciding where to live is an important factor to consider before beginning your journey as a medical student–but it doesn’t have to be challenging! For this student insight feature, our co-contributors broke down what it’s like to live within the many neighborhoods of Birmingham.
Southside (roughly 1-2 miles from campus)
Outstanding Pros: The walk to Volker is very short, usually between 10-15 minutes. The drive is usually less than 5 minutes. Five Points South is close, and it includes coffee shops such as Filter and Domestique as well as food places that range from quick bites to fancy eats such as Chick-fil-A, The Original Pancake House, Surin West, Mellow Mushroom, and Galley & Garden. When it comes to grocery shopping, Publix is only a 7-10 minute drive and then Target in Brookwood Village is around a 15-minute drive from the area.
Review: Depending on how many roommates you have, renting a unit within this neighborhood can range from $700-1500. In combination with the short walk to Volker, this area is great for people who prioritize efficient commutes. Many homes within this neighborhood are rented out each year and include units with ~3 bedrooms. Another thing to know about specific parts of Southside is that it has a good mix of college students and fraternity housing nearby so make sure to inquire about the noise level of the complex or house you may be interested in living in. Aside from that, most complexes and houses do street parking so certain times of the day may have less parking than other times of the day.
Popular Apartments: Listings for houses are usually found on Zillow, Apartment Finder, or word of mouth from peers.
Homewood/Lakeshore Area
Outstanding Pros: Some benefits to the Homewood/Lakeshore area is that the area is economical with the rent ranges from about $600-1200. The time it takes to reach Volker is around 10-15 minutes driving, but with morning traffic, it may add a few minutes. Downtown Homewood/Soho square area has a lot of good places such as SoHo Social, O’Henry’s Coffee, Caveat, ono poke, Real and Rosemary, The Battery, and Social Taco. There are groceries stores like Walmart and Publix and also restaurants within 15 minutes walking distance or a 2-5 minute drive.
Review: Homewood in general is a great area to live in due to its lively nature and the diversity of food places within the neighborhood. A huge plus to the area is that it's considered a very safe area, with lots of sidewalks and a nice park! Something to note about this location is that many older adults live in this area so the location is also considered family-friendly.
Popular Apartments: Valora at Homewood, Moretti, 2700 At Homewood, The Overlook, The Jameson, Homewood Heights
Off 280: Grandview/Cahaba River Area (roughly 5-8 miles from campus)
Outstanding Pros: Rent is typically cheaper the further down 280 you get, and you can get more square footage and outdoor space for your money. There are multiple grocery stores within a 5-10 minute drive (3 Publixes, a Walmart, a Target, and a Winn-Dixie), and the Summit is close if you ever want to shop, see a movie, or eat at one of the restaurants there!
Review: Living off 280 means that you’ll have more space and access to countless restaurants, stores, and activities within 5 minutes of your apartment, and most of the time, the drive to campus is only 15-20 minutes. However, 280 traffic can be intense and unpredictable during rush hours, so the drive can be closer to 45 minutes depending on when you’re traveling. Many students say that the commute helps them keep their school and home lives separate, though, so it really depends on your preferences.
In addition to the wide variety of shops in the area, there are also a lot of great walking trails and parks nearby. For example, Veterans Park offers walking, sand volleyball, and fishing! If you have a dog, there’s even a large off-leash dog park just down the road at the Cahaba Beach Dog Park and Doggie Daycare. Overall, choosing to live off 280 can mean more driving time, but it’s a great option for people with pets and families or even just students who prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Popular Communities: Like any area, rent varies depending on how many roommates you have and which apartment community you choose. For reference, a one bedroom apartment typically runs from $900-1300 per month while a three bedroom apartment is usually between $1400-2000 (for the entire unit). There are many more options than we could possibly list, but a few popular communities in this area include 150 Summit Apartments, Arbors at Cahaba River, and Avenues of Inverness. If apartment living isn’t your thing, some students even choose to purchase homes in the area. There’s no shortage of options!
Forest Park/Lakeview (roughly 2-3 miles from campus)
Outstanding Pros: The Forest Park/Lakeview area is unique for its close proximity to campus and many of Birmingham’s staple bars and restaurants while still maintaining a laid-back historic feel.
Review: Forest Park provides a great balance of a lot of the features that medical students are looking for. Walking to Volker would take about half an hour, so most students prefer other types of transportation like driving or even biking (it’s a pretty flat route!). It’s only a few miles from campus which makes for an easy 10 minute trip no matter how traffic is.
The area itself is home to a lot of fan-favorite dining and entertainment spots including Carrigan’s Beer Garden, Hattie B’s, Slice Pizza and Brew, Trim Tab Brewing Company, and Sloss Furnace. For groceries, there’s a Piggly Wiggly and a Publix nearby. Despite having an endless supply of things to do, the area tends to be more on the quiet side (at least compared to downtown). Overall, it’s a great choice for students who want the best of both worlds.
Popular Communities: The Forest Park/Lakeview community has options to suit many different lifestyles. Apartments in the area are a little smaller than those farther outside of town with 1 bedrooms and studios typically running anywhere from $1000-$1700 per month and 3 bedrooms often ranging from $1800-$2800 per month for the entire unit. Of course, there are options above and below these options depending on how much you prioritize amenities and square footage. A few options include Iron City Lofts, Park 35 on Clairmont, Lakeview Apartments, and Lakeview Green. Forest Park is also a popular spot to buy or even rent a home. These tend to go quickly, so it’s probably best to check Zillow and other realty sites regularly if you’re interested.
Downtown
Outstanding Pros: Walkable! Many apartment buildings downtown are within a 10-15 minute walk from campus. If you’re chronically late or don’t want to deal with Birmingham traffic, being within walking distance comes in clutch. Not only can you make it to class or hospital shifts in a jiffy, but you’re also a stone’s throw away from nightlife and restaurants.
Review: Living Downtown puts your finger on the pulse of Birmingham. You’re moments away from Publix, Railroad Park, the Rotary Trail, casual lunch spots and staple restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. As a result, it may not be the location of choice if you value a quiet home environment. Additionally, because of the location, housing tends to be on the more expensive side and is limited to smaller apartments. However, I’ve saved a lot of money on gas due to being able to walk or scooter nearly everywhere I need. This area is a popular location for students and working professionals alike, so it’s likely you’ll know quite a few of your neighbors.
Popular Apartment Communities: Station 121, Bristol, Flats on 4th, Palmer, Parkside, Lumen, Met on 7th, Midtown 20, Cortland Vesta, Alight, Foundry Yards, Ion at the Ballpark.