Whether you’re new to Birmingham or a local considering a neighborhood change, navigating the housing market can be tough – but we know from experience that an inside scoop from your peers is always beneficial. For our next student insight feature, our co-contributors reached out to a few of their classmates to learn more about their current neighborhoods and how they feel it works for their med student lifestyle.

Joel Brenny – MS1

Neighborhood: Homewood

1. What is the general price range of the area?
I would expect to pay around $500 a month per person if living with roommate(s).

2. Do students live in a house or an apartment? Are both available in the area?
Both houses and apartments are plentiful depending on your preference. Lots of clean air and parks around here.

3. What are some of the benefits and your favorite things about the area?
It can be nice to "get away" from school and the city sometimes. The neighbors in Homewood tend to be mature from my experience as it is a suburb. Nice and quiet.

4. Any downsides?
Commuting can become a little annoying even though it’s not that far. And you'll find that there are not quite as many classmates/community around you out here since it’s a little more spread out than some of the more populated areas. But that means it's a great chance to make new friends!

5. How close is the nearest grocery store/market?
I could walk to the store if I had to - but I don't! I have Publix, Aldi, Mr. Chen's, Mi Pueblo, Ollie's, Walmart, and more, all within a 1.5 mile radius of my house.

6. How long is the commute to Volker Hall? Do you drive or walk?
It's a 5 mile drive to Volker which means 12 minute drive, followed by 7 minute walk from parking garage IF there's no traffic. It's unpredictable so give yourself time on test day!

7. Is it a pet friendly area? Any concerns with safety?
All my neighbors have pets! Nice neighborhoods to walk around and again, plenty of parks. Homewood is also pretty much known for how safe and family friendly it is.

Clara Wan – MS2

Neighborhood: Southside and Midtown

1. What is the general price range of the area?
$650-$1600; the price range is broad depending on which apartment complex you choose and whether or not you have a roommate. If you don't have a roommate, it averages around $1400 and if you do then it averages $900. Popular apartment complexes are Southside Station, Bristol, Station 121, Parkside, The Waites, and Flats on Fourth.

2. Do students live in a house or an apartment? Are both available in the vicinity?
I live in an apartment. There aren't houses in this area, but there are condos you can buy.

3. What are some of the benefits and your favorite things about the area?
There are a lot of restaurants super close by and so when I'm busy and don't want to cook, it's really nice. (E.g. Taco Mama, Farm Burger, Newk’s, Pies and Pints, Falafel Café, and Taziki’s) Also, I walk to class every day and don't have to deal with parking, which can be hectic.

4. What about any downsides?
It can be a little loud at times, but not usually at night. My apartment complex also had some cars broken into, but there are plenty of complexes with gated parking.

5. How close is the nearest grocery store/market?
Publix is about a 10-minute walk away (maybe less)!

6. How long is the commute to Volker hall/Lister Hill Library? Do you drive or walk?
I walk every morning to Volker Hall! It's a little less than 10 minutes to walk and if it's raining I just cut through the hospital, which is super nice.

7. Is it a pet friendly area? Any concerns with safety?
All the apartments I know of are pet friendly! I haven't heard of any apartment break-ins and the streets are always well-lit so I think it's pretty safe. The only thing is the cars that were broken into last semester.

Tim McWilliams – MS1

Neighborhood: Highland Park

1. What is the general price range of the area?
$700-900 a month per person for rent

2. Do students live in a house or an apartment? Are both available in the vicinity?
Both

3. What are some of the benefits and your favorite things about the area?
The area is very close to downtown, and it’s great for running.

4. What about any downsides?
Parking can be tight. There are a lot of rented houses where people park on the street, so it gets very crowded.

5. How close is the nearest grocery store/market?
Less than 5 minutes

6. How long is the commute to Volker hall/Lister Hill Library? Do you drive or walk?
10 minute drive

7. Is it a pet friendly area? Any concerns with safety?
It’s a super pet friendly area. There are several parks nearby and people are always out walking their dogs.

8. Are you going to live in the same place for next year?
My roommates and I recently moved here. We used to live in the Lakeshore area. The price was good, pretty cheap for a very luxurious apartment, but we ultimately ended up moving for closer proximity.

9. Do you have any parting advice on choosing or finding a place to live in Birmingham?
I would avoid renting super close to campus. You can find much better deals on houses or apartment complexes a little farther out. The drive is slightly longer, but the places are both nicer and more affordable.

Isabella Mak – MS2

Neighborhood: Glen Iris / Five Points South

1. What is the general price range of the area?
$650-$1200

2. Do students live in a house or an apartment? Are both available in the vicinity?
Both are available - houses more so. Many students rent or pay mortgage for houses together, and they can sell the house later.

3. What are some of the benefits and your favorite things about the area?
For Glen Iris area, there are newly constructed bike lanes near UAB Alys Stephens Center, about a 10-minute drive to Seeds Coffee (a popular study spot) and Urban Air Trampoline (especially if you have kids). For Five Points South area, there are award-winning restaurants, coffee shops (Lucy’s, and Filter), a salon, a post office, and many events like Historic Home tours, and the St Patrick’s parade.

4. What about any downsides?
The buildings/homes are older.

5. How close is the nearest grocery store/market?
It is a 10-minute drive to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Aldi, and Publix.

6. How long is the commute to Volker hall/Lister Hill Library? Do you drive or walk?
If you live in Glen Iris, it depends on your parking zone and the streets you live on- it can be 10 minute drive, or 15-20 minute biking. If you live in Five Points, it is a 10-15 minute walk.

7. Is it a pet friendly area? Any concerns with safety?
Glen Iris is definitely pet friendly. The UAB Police Department is also located in this area. For safety concerns, I recommend taking advantage of the late-night on-demand van service provided by UAB: https://www.uab.edu/blazerexpress/safety-escort

Chibuike Obinwa – MS1

Neighborhood: Homewood

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Chibuike Obinwa and I am an MS1 from Georgia. I am originally from Nigeria and have been in the United States since 2008. Outside of medicine, I absolutely love listening to as well as playing the piano, guitar, and drums.

2. Where are you living during medical school?
I currently live at The Valora Apartments in Homewood.

3. Why did you choose this place? What is your favorite thing about it?
As an out-of-state student, I was really looking for a place that was not only close to campus, but quite affordable. Valora was actually recommended to me by another medical student that had lived there for at least 2 years. My absolute favorite aspect of living at Valora is the proximity to school. It takes me about 10-12 minutes to get to classes in the morning, which is ideal for days I wake up a little later than planned.

4. What were you looking for when you were choosing a place to live?
The top three things I really wanted out of an apartment were, as previously stated, proximity to school, affordability, and a peaceful environment. Valora is not perfect, but it provides me with these qualities, and I am happy with that.

5. Do you have any roommates? If not, how has it been living alone? If so, are they medical school students too?
I have no roommates, and it has been absolutely amazing living alone. It has honestly helped me mature in a lot of areas of life and given me a sense of responsibility.

6. Anything you else you want future medical students at UAB to know?
It is absolutely true that medical school is intense and tasking, but I personally think it has been fun. One advice I would give future medical students is to have a community of people, both within and outside medical school, that keeps them grounded. It is easier to keep going when there are people around you that are there to encourage you, on good and not so great days. Finally, medical school is hard enough, so take some time to rest and relax before you start.