Birmingham Alabama - what's it like?

[ComboOrgan]

I'm going to be spending a good chunk of the summer doing a research internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

What's the city like? Is the university district nice? Is it safe? What sort of cultural things are there to do? What areas are nice? Is public transportation adequate for getting around the city? Is the urban area nice, or will I have to go to the 'burbs for decent food/culture/entertainment?

 

[Connemara]

It is Alabama.

 

[dave]

full of rednecks.

summer is hot...and full of rednecks.

 

[DirtySouthGentleman]

Originally Posted by dave

full of rednecks.

summer is hot...and full of rednecks.

^have you ever been to birmingham, AL?

its not as bad as you think it would be, but the people there think its a "mini atlanta"

some nice bars, and some good looking women for sure!

im not saying its great, but its decent

DSG

 

[dave]

I have been there. I know, I generalize for the sake of scaring someone who has never been but i also know it's mostly true. I also HATE Atlanta so take that for what it's worth.

I have lived in the South (all over the south) for most of my life and wouldn't consider leaving it either. Once you get past the whole "Redneck Pride" thing, rednecks are generally really nice people.

 

[tom288]

There is a nice, upscale suburn, I think it was called Mountain Brook, outside of the city. I can't remember the name exactly, but you had a nice little shopping center with a Saks and some restaurants, all on top of a big hill. You also get into the hills/country areas which can be quite nice.

Someone might know what I'm talking about. I wasn't that big of a fan of downtown Birmingham, but the outskirts were nice.

 

[romafan]

What is the industry there - iron? steel?

There's a big statue....

Hot for sure (temp - don't know about ladies). Might be a dry town(?), and there are Baptists. You are in the deep south, so the spectre of Jim Crow's shadow lingers on all....

There's a very famous restaurant there.

 

[yerfdog]

Originally Posted by romafan

What is the industry there - iron? steel?

There's a big statue....

used to be steel anyway, not sure how much of that there is anymore

 

[robbie]

okay, so i was mistaken about the state mentioned... but I feel this Robert Indiana painting still applies:

 

[username79]

Originally Posted by romafan

You are in the deep south, so the spectre of Jim Crow's shadow lingers on all....
This is bullshit. Have you ever been there? I have experienced far more racism in the last ten years in the North than in the "Deep South."

 

[gnatty8]

All the posts about rednecks and Jim Crow and all that is sort of bullshit.. I wouldn't pay a ton of attention to it. Are there rednecks in Alabama? Of course there are, but there are rednecks in Vermont and NY for f*ck's sakes.. The downtown part of Birmingham is slightly boring, you get the feeling like things close at 5 pm when the office workers go home.. There's not much in the way of shopping (but there used to be a Saks at the Summit), but there are some serious BBQ joints there.. Some of my favorites were Jim and Nick's (which is something of a chain, but still good), Dreamland (in Tuscaloser, but worth the drive), and Golden Rule. The UAB campus area is relatively safe, but its somewhat "remote" from downtown, and I am not terribly familiar with the nightlife or bars, but I was at one place, The Burly Earl, which is near UAB, for dozens and dozens of beers.. You might check it out..

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by username79

This is bullshit. Have you ever been there?

I have experienced far more racism in the last ten years in the North than in the "Deep South."

Been to 'bama a few times, not Birmingham. In my lifetime, Jim Crow existed in the south - that's all I'm sayin....

 

[DirtySouthGentleman]

as far as bars go i know of a few that are good

innisfree (irish pub), rare martini (moderately upscale bar), twist and shout (piano bar),fox and hound (sports bar), and the SOHO area has a few good bar and grills.

there are prob more that i dont know of but those are the ones i have had a few good times at

DSG

 

[ComboOrgan]

Are there any must-see cultural attractions?

I dig US history - are there any interesting museums or historical sites?

 

[coachvu]

Well, it was certainly an important area in the Civil Rights movement. I imagine there are some museums or monuments dealing with that.

Also, I'm sure there will be plenty to do. It's not New York, but it is one of the best hospitals in the country, and it's a major research institute. There are plenty of students, which means there are going to be at least a handful of bars and restaurants that you'll enjoy. Just ask your colleagues for some suggestions when you get there.