It’s nice to have you in Birmingham

“It’s nice to have you in Birmingham.” That mid-century motto touted Birmingham’s welcome during tumultuous times. But the city, however imperfect, has come a long way–which has been marked frequently during this, the 50th year since so many important moments in civil rights history in Birmingham and otherwise.

Regardless of anniversaries or occasions, I believe this city offers many reasons to brag. Earlier this year, economic development group REV Birmingham launched its LIV Birmingham initiative to promote life within city limits. I wrote about the project for the May issue of Birmingham magazine.

Are you looking for a modern condo in a building above a restaurant, steps away from a coffee shop and within blocks of your office?

Well, yes. You know downtown can offer city living.

But what if what you really want is parks, a fenced-in yard and affordable housing with plenty of space? Or historic charm, nearby schools and a short drive to downtown?

Birmingham has that, too.

That’s the message behind LIV Birmingham, a marketing initiative that will launch this month in an effort to recruit residents to the 99 neighborhoods within Birmingham city limits. It’s a project of REV Birmingham, the economic development organization that was formed last fall by the merger of Operation New Birmingham and Main Street Birmingham.

Read more “Urban Living Resurges” from Birmingham magazine

Now, my own Birmingham story is featured at livbirmingham.org. I’m grateful to call this city my home, and I actively try to recruit everyone I can into my quiet, friendly neighborhood. (One of my college roommates recently moved down the street. Her previous location? Washington, D.C. I’m serious about this, y’all.) Want to know more about why I love where I live? Just ask–but be sure you have time to listen to me prattle on about the city’s many virtues.

Hey there, Carla Jean! Why don’t we get started— where in this great city do you call home?

Crestline Park. I’ve also lived in Crestline Gardens and Huffman in Birmingham, and the metro-area cities of Trussville and Irondale.

Very cool. So have you always been a Birminghamian?

This is my third time living in Birmingham. I relocated most recently from Cullman (where I lived in 2006), and in 2003 I came back to the state of Alabama after 15 years in Florida.

Read more “Proud Placemaker: Carla Jean Whitley, Crestline Park” on livbirmingham.org