Birmingham : Alabama
Living a Biking Lifestyle in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is a popular cycling city for both mountain biking and road; Oak Mountain State Park hosts an annual Bump N' Grind mountain bike race, the Xterra Southeast Champion triathlon, and other races and competitions throughout the year.
The largest city in Alabama, named for one of the major industrial cities of the United Kingdom, Birmingham has been nicknamed The Magic City. Until the end of the 1960s, Birmingham was one of the South's primary industrial centers, producing iron and steel as a major component of the railroad industry. Now, manufacturing is no longer quite as prominent, but Birmingham today ranks as one of the most prominent business centers in the Southeastern United States. It is also a bustling hub for the banking industry. Regions Financial, a Fortune 500 company, calls Birmingham home, along with five Fortune 1000 companies.
Birmingham is also a bustling college town, home to The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and Samford University, among many others. It serves as headquarters for the Southeastern Conference, a major collegiate athletic conference; Birmingham's college sports are therefore a large part of the city's bustling culture.
Of cities over a million, Birmingham has the second highest concentration of Christians, and the greatest ratio of Protestants, in the US.
Where to Retire in Birmingham and Home Prices
There is at least one active adult community in Birmingham; see link at top left.
According to the National Association or Realtors, the median sale price of a home in Birmingham-Hoover was $318,800 during the 2nd quarter of 2022.
What Is Special about Birmingham
Birmingham is the cultural center and entertainment capital of Alabama offering ballet, opera, museums and many festivals; Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the Southeast; Birmingham's Childrens Theatre is one of the largest and oldest children's theatre in the country; Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is located here with concerts, plays and jazz classes; Downtown Birmingham is going through a cultural and economic rejuvenation with new shops, parks, and restaurants.
What Is Not Special about Birmingham
Crime in Birmingham is the tength highest in the country and is oftentimes ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the nation. Birmingham's 10% sales tax rate is the highest of the nation's 100 largest cities.
Climate and Physical Environment
Birmingham is flanked by long parallel mountain ridges, including the tailing ends of the Appalachian foothills and Ruffner Mountain, which is home to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, one of the largest urban nature reserves in the United States. Birmingham has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. January temperatures are in low to mid 50’s, with July temperatures in the low 90’s.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Birmingham is the cultural capital of Alabama, packed with museums and art galleries. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Concert Chorale, Opera Birmingham and Birmingham Ballet are among the cultural offerings, as well as historic film theaters, jazz theaters, and a large ampitheater.
Crime
Crime in Birmingham is one of the highest in the country.
Medical Facilities
Birmingham has several medical facilities including Birmingham VA Medical Center and the University of Alabama Hospital.
Transportation
Birmingham has four major highways that service it along with Amtrak and the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. When compared to other cities, Birmingham is below average in walkability.
Your Stories about Birmingham, Alabama
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