Price Check National Edition

5 homes for sale in Birmingham, Alabama that cost a fraction of a typical NYC apartment

By Rebecca Fishbein  | February 1, 2018 - 2:00PM
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This historic house is 10 minutes from downtown Birmingham, and was recently renovated inside. It's listed for $315,000.

Brian Kelleher/Zillow

Last week, we reported on the adventures of one Lisa Browne, a former Park Slope resident who relocated with her family in 2016 to a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, in search of a more affordable, kid-friendly life. Giving up New York's plentiful cultural offerings, public transit, nightlife, and shopping for a city with half the population of Atlanta seems like an unorthodox move, but the leap looks less daunting if you consider that the median home sales price for the Birmingham metro area is $194,900, a far cry from the $770,000 median in Brooklyn. The suburbs are generally pricier than the city, but they're still much less expensive than what you'll find here.

Birmingham doesn't have quite the same cultural cachet as our fair town, but there are plenty of art galleries, theaters, concert halls, historical sites, and activities to keep you occupied, plus the New York Times has raved about its culinary scene

If you're interested in seeing what Birmingham and its surrounding areas have to offer, here are five homes for the taking.

261 Kings Crest Ln., Pelham

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Courtesy Of RE/MAX Advantage

This knockout house isn't located in Birmingham proper. It's about 30 minutes away in the suburban city of Pelham, once briefly home to The Fault in Our Stars author John Green. This house has a lot of space, including four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a two-story foyer, a two-tiered deck, a formal dining room, a playroom, and a media room with wet bar. The owner is a fan of fur-like furniture coverings and taupe walls, but you are free to change things up. The asking price is $494,900.

5600 6th Ave S., Birmingham

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Keller Williams Realty

This three-bedroom, two-bath house is in Birmingham's Crestwood neighborhood, a 10-minute drive from downtown. Built in 1908, the house has been outfitted with modern amenities and an updated kitchen, which still has an original fireplace. The master bedroom has an en-suite bath and two closets. There's also a backyard with a shed, and a spacious patio. The asking price is $315,000.

2301 1st Ave N, #304, Birmingham

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Greater Alabama MLS, Inc.

If you would prefer a more urban vibe, this spacious corner loft is in Birmingham's downtown Central City neighborhood. The apartment has two bedrooms and one bathroom, along with a laundry room, stainless steel appliances, a funky dining area, and lots of light. The neighborhood offers bars, restaurants, a newly renovated park, and thrift shops. The asking price is $294,000.

1040 Green Springs Ave., Birmingham

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Keller Williams Realty

This three-bedroom, two-bath ranch house in Birmingham's Southside neighborhood may look conventional from the outside, but the interior has been upgraded and loaded with some of the latest smart-home features. The thermostat, stereo, locks, and alarm can be controlled by phone or computer. There are new light fixtures, hardwood floors, insulated windows, recessed lighting, and a basement garage with room for two cars. Outside is a wooded, shaded lot. Southside is home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, so this location is ideal for buyers employed by the school—or fans of its many bars. The asking price is $260,000.

257 Caliente Dr., Hoover

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Bluff Park Realty

If you're after a house near highly ranked public schools, this four bedroom, two bath is in the Bluff Park neighborhood of Hoover, a suburb that's only about 18 minutes from Birmingham proper. Bluff Park, on top of Shades Mountain, is considered Hoover's "mountain town," and features a mix of family-owned businesses and stately homes. This one, built in 1971, has a lovely updated kitchen, new appliances, a dining room, and spacious yard. The asking price is $227,000.

 

 

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