In or near Birmingham, AL? I have a question or two for you!

[Katy]

I just learned from my husband that his boss has shown interest in moving my husband to manage one of his stores in Alabama, near Birmingham (Trussville, to be precise) and I'm trying to gather some information as to cost-of-living in that area to help us make a decision. I'm not averse to moving - I've developed itchy feet living in the same place for almost 10 years - but I'm disabled and Dmitry's boss doesn't exactly pay well, so I need to keep those sorts of things in mind. Anyone with information, I'd welcome it - probably send me a PM so we don't clutter up CR with non-book-related stuff. Thanks!!

[Cassie]

I'm not in Birmingham, but I'm close :-). It's a lot like Huntsville. There are going to be places that will be outrageous and then there will be places you don't want to live...haha... I'd say the cost of living is low compared to most places (but so is the rate of pay usually). I don't know what part of GA you are in...but B'ham is cheaper than Atlanta for sure.

Does that help? :-)

[Katy]

Cassie - Gathering Leaves wrote: "I'm not in Birmingham, but I'm close :-). It's a lot like Huntsville. There are going to be places that will be outrageous and then there will be places you don't want to live...haha... I'd say ..."

I've checked rental prices - they're a tish higher than here, but not too bad. It's like groceries and such I'm curious about - I know that groceries and stuff here in Athens are INCREDIBLY high compared to the Minneapolis area, where I came from previous to here. The expensive grocery stories in the Minneapolis area are slightly less expensive than the discount stores here in Athens. That sort of thing - groceries, gas, insurance, utilities - is the sort of thing I'm looking toward right now.

We live in a pretty ... diverse neighborhood here, and are within a couple miles of a ghetto, so we're not overly picky about neighborhood. I'll just post a "we have rats" sign on the door and that'll keep the riff-raff out ... X-D

[Cassie]

I'll tell you the prices where I am. They will be comparable to B'ham.

Gas: $3.30/gal
Groceries: Gal of milk (store brand) - about $3 (or less), bread (store brand) - about $1.30 (or less), pack of lunch meat - $3-$4 or so...
We probably spend around $500 or so a month on groceries (we buy a lot of meat, etc. in bulk at Sam's)...but we eat out a LOT more than we should!!!
Car insurance: We pay $475ish every 6 months for a 2006 Camry (Our SUV is under my mom's insurance & much cheaper, so I don't know what our rate would be)
Health insurance depends on the provider and your company. BC/BS AL is the most common. We have an excellent rate through Jason's work now, but before it was awful.
Utilities: Our power bill runs about $130 a month (or less) in "off" seasons (Fall/Spring), and anywhere from $230-$330 in peak months. We have a poorly insulated house and three kids who leave everything running all the time! :-) My mom's power bill is usually less than $100 a month.
Water is $30-$40 (that covers garbage, etc.). We don't have gas.

I think if you look around a bit, you'll be able to find the cheaper stores and such.
There are a lot of questionable areas around B'ham (like anywhere really...but B'ham is worse than Huntsville).

[Katy]

Good info, Cassie. I'm not sure what Trussville itself is like - Dmitry said the store is really small. Guess time will tell - his boss tends to be flaky ... also, I want to wait until I'm sure I have my disability before making any final decisions as to whether or not to move, and my lawyer just emailed me in response to a question and he said the decision can take from "4 to 12 weeks or more" O.O *sigh*

[Cassie]

Ugh... Maybe it'll be closer to the 4 week mark.

Jason was born in Birmingham and basically grew up there. He lived in the ghetto :-). We went to visit his grandmother before my son was born, and I asked, "Is it safe to park my car here?" haha I'm still not sure it was, but we survived.

I asked him about Trussville, and he said it is just like anywhere else. There are good places and bad places. I worry more about stuff like that with the kids than I would if it were just Jason and me.

Anyway, a lot of his family still lives in that area, so if you need any more specific info, I could probably ask some of them.

[Katy]

Thanks!

It's already been (counts) five weeks and a day ... so, it could still be up to almost 2 months. Hopefully I'll hear soon - I wouldn't be so worried, but I'm down to the last bit on my CDs, which I need to cash in, and they'll likely only cover us until December, then we'll be in a world of hurt - no savings left, and Dmitry's pay doesn't stretch far enough to cover everything. I have to get to the bank soon, 'cause I haven't paid October rent, yet; can't until I close out that CD. Dmitry's checks are never enough, in and of themselves, to cover rent. It's been a hard couple of years ... But, hey, I have my books and my cats and my editing to keep me busy and happy, and hopefully will have my disability come Xmas and with it Medicare, which will make a HUGE savings on my medical expenses and, while we won't exactly be flush, at least we'll be able to pay the damned bills.

[Cassie]

I know all about being broke!! We stretch EVERY paycheck as thin as we can :-)... Hopefully they'll get everything sorted out for you soon. *fingers crossed*

[Katy]

Cassie - Gathering Leaves wrote: "I know all about being broke!! We stretch EVERY paycheck as thin as we can :-)... Hopefully they'll get everything sorted out for you soon. *fingers crossed*"

Based on your bills, you make do on a bit more than $1100 a month, though ... Heh. It's really REALLY tough. Oh, well - here's hoping with you that they get my disability going before next year sometime ... :-/