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Charlotte, North Carolina
Birmingham, Alabama
What It Is Like to Retire in Birmingham
The largest city in Alabama, named for one of the major industrial cities of the United Kingdom, Birmingham, Alabama 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 important, 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 lively 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. Photo of 16th Street Baptist Church, now a National Historic Landmark courtesy of Wikipedia and John Morse (public domain).
Watch this short Youtube video prepared by Visit USA:
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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 $277,200 during the 2nd quarter of 2021.
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
The Riverchase Galleria is a major contributor to the economy.
Who Will Like Retirement in Birmingham
Retirees who looking for a college town and a below average cost of living.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Banking, construction, engineering and insurance companies, soft drink bottlers
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.
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