Birmingham, AL Senior Living

Senior living in Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham is the largest city in the state of Alabama, and serves as the county seat of Jefferson County. The city was founded during the Reconstruction period following the US Civil War. Birmingham sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and was once one of the primary industrial centers of the South. Modern Birmingham has transformed from a center of manufacturing to a prime location for education, banking, and medical research. The city has a bustling modern downtown and a total of 99 historic neighborhoods, and Birmingham has designated more green space than any other city in the country. Senior living in Birmingham offers great access to both urban culture and the beautiful outdoor spaces of Appalachia.

Birmingham has many great institutions to keep both residents and visitors occupied. Some of the most notable include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the interactive McWane Science Center, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. There are terrific golf courses in the city, and the Splash Adventure Waterpark provides great ways for residents to cool off in the summer. Birmingham also has an excellent restaurant scene, which has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation.

Population

At the time of the 2010 US Census, the population of the city of Birmingham, Alabama was 212,244 residents. The median age of the residents of Birmingham was 35.4 years, which is somewhat younger than the Alabama median age of 40.9 years. In 2010, 12.4 percent of the population of Birmingham consisted of individuals 65 years of age or older.

Cost of Living

Birmingham is a very affordable city in which to live. As of March 2012, the cost of living index for the city of Birmingham was 88.5. This is slightly lower than the average Alabama cost of living index of 90, and quite a bit lower than the average US cost of living, which is 100. *City-Data.com

Cost of Assisted Living in Birmingham

Housing costs in Birmingham also tend to be very moderate. In 2009, the median value of a house or condo in Birmingham was $87,300, compared to the Alabama median home value of $119,600. In comparison, the US median home value is currently just below $180,000. Seniors looking for assisted living accommodations in Birmingham will find options ranging from very expensive to very affordable. A one bedroom unit currently begins at $1,345 per month, and ranges as high $6,500 per month. *City-Data.com

Crime Rates

The annual crime rate in Birmingham is one of the highest in the nation. Both the property crime rate and the violent crime rate are higher than the state and national averages. The odds of becoming a victim of a property crime in Birmingham is approximately 1 in 12, while the odds of being the victim of a violent crime are approximately 1 in 67. *NeighborhoodScout.com

Medical Facilities

There are a large number of major medical facilities and hospitals in the city of Birmingham. These facilities include the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the University of Alabama Hospital, the Trinity Medical Center, the Princeton Baptist Medical Center, the Brookwood Medical Center, and the Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. *City-Data.com

Transportation

The main airport for the Birmingham metropolitan area is the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Inside the city, bus, trolley, and paratransit service is provided by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.