Birmingham enjoys a location in the heart of the Deep South. You'll still see the Old South's vestiges in the warmth of the city's residents and the comparatively slower speed of daily life here. Birmingham has, however, kept up with up with the pace of modernization just like other major Southern cities. Thankfully, the diversification of its economy and the expansion of big business hasn't made good old Southern gentility a relic of the past.

Birmingham's roots may be traced to 1871, when the city was formally established at the point where two railroad lines converged. As our nation entered the 1900s, Birmingham flourished as an industrial center -- particularly for iron and steel. Before long, Birmingham became one of the South's primary industrial centers. Part of that was due to sheer luck; beneath the surface of the ground lay vast deposits of limestone, coal and iron ore.

As we entered the 1950s, Birmingham's economy diversified beyond the confines of an industrial center. The city became a breeding ground for manufacturing companies and service industries, as well as high-tech and health-care corporations. Several universities also were established here, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Samford College and Birmingham Southern College. Today, nearly 940,000 residents call Birmingham and its metropolitan regions home.

All the while, Birmingham never lost sense of its stong Southern heritage. Visit the city today, and you'll still experience the best of the South. Big business has carved its own comfortable niche admist that strong regional drawl, the elegant afternoon teas, the "yes ma'am"s and periodic charity and debutante balls. While the city's diversity has increased over time, that's only added to its appeal and the sense of comfort it exudes to newly relocated families. Coming to Birmingham feels like coming home ... regardless of where your native "home" really is.

If you're planning a visit to Birmingham, a couple of local sights are worth pointing out: The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates the nation's best Alabama-bred artists in the heart of the Deep South. Situated within Birmingham's Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to such musical greats as Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Erskine Hawkins and Lionel Hampton. You'll be transported through time as you trace the beginnings of jazz all the way to modern times. The newly restored Alabama Theatre holds numerous cultural events throughout the year; and regular performances held at the Birmingham Children's Theatre -- the largest children's theater in the United States -- cater both to the young and the young at heart. The Alabama Civil Rights District takes visitors on a walking tour of one of the most important chapters in our nation's history. Located between 6th and 2nd Avenue North and 15th Street to 19th Street in downtown Birmingham, this six-block area includes such sights as the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (an easy way to catch two sights in one stop) and Kelly Ingram Park.

Have you given up on your dreams of owning a Mercedes? Suffering is such sweet sorrow at Mercedes-Benz Visitors Center, located in Vance, a nearby suburb of Birmingham. View these beloved vehicles and learn about the history of the company in this 24,000-square-foot tribute to the famed German car.

If you like to eat, you're in for a treat. Birmingham is Soul Food Central. Select from a variety of restaurants, and get ready for a feast of such local delicacies as chicken-fried steak, and the best iced tea you've ever tasted. You can start at Cobb Lane, located at 20th Street South & 13th Avenue South. Cobb Lane contains many of Birmingham's tastiest restaurants as well as a selection of antique stores and specialty shops.

If a move to Birmingham is in your future, you'll find that prices here are fairly easy on your budget when compared to national averages. The majority of Birmingham's single-family housing inventory is priced between $120,000 and $159,999. The second-largest category of housing stock is priced from $250,000 and up, so buyers with deeper pockets won't be disappointed, either. Condominiums, another hot segment of Birmingham's housing market, are priced on average in the $100,000-$120,000 range. As businesses continue to grow and diversify in this region of the South, so does housing. Many new housing communities have opened their doors in recent years. According to John and Karen Quarles, a Birmingham husband-and-wife team of Realtors, there are currently more than 900 new homes either under construction of just finished in the greater Birmingham area.

Birmingham clearly shows no signs of slowing down. Some have called this region one of the last genuine Southern cities -- a region that hasn't yet succumbed to urban growth at the expense of tradition and gentility. Regardless of whether or not a move here is on your horizon, Birmingham is well worth a visit. It's a priceless opportunity to experience good old Southern hospitality.

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Published: September 13, 1999

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