"Reverence for place was central in Warren Manning's approach to developing the residential subdivision of Mountain Brook Estates, south of Birmingham to create a park like setting for suburban living." (LALH Book on Warren H. Manning)
This well-heeled city of 20,413 people is affectionately called "The Tiny Kingdom" because of its Tudor-style architecture and well-preserved natural landscape. Minutes from downtown Birmingham, AL, it is a tucked-away haven filled with tons of ordinary people of all ages pretending they are the last of a long line of country-clubbers.
It's easy to move to Paradise aka Mountain Brook when it's snuggled inside a circle of major highways
"Reverence for place was central in Warren Manning's approach to developing the residential subdivision of Mountain Brook Estates, south of Birmingham to create a park like setting for suburban living." (LALH Book on Warren H. Manning)
This well-heeled city of 20,413 people is affectionately called "The Tiny Kingdom" because of its Tudor-style architecture and well-preserved natural landscape. Minutes from downtown Birmingham, AL, it is a tucked-away haven filled with tons of ordinary people of all ages pretending they are the last of a long line of country-clubbers.
Moving to Mountain Brook
It's easy to move to Paradise aka Mountain Brook when it's snuggled inside a circle of major highways. You definitely want to use an apartment locator to find an apartment or rental house to avoid wasting time looking at properties out of your range, and that means too old, too new or too rich. There are all types of properties, including 3 bedroom houses for rent, scattered around Mountain Brook. Despite making it onto lists of "top earning towns," rents for many well-established buildings accommodate most people's wallets (or credit card limits). Since this is a desirable place to live, you should plan a move well in advance of actually moving. Don't just show up in a moving van, or you risk becoming Mountain Brook's first "street person."
Neighborhoods in Mountain Brook
Mountain Brook is small so there are only a few neighborhoods. Each one is a tiny fiefdom consisting of apartments, houses, lush parks, and a local shopping village or two.
Country Club of Birmingham: Tucked between Montevallo Road South on the eastern edge and Carlyle Road on the western edge, it also borders the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Country Club of Birmingham is smack dab in the middle. The houses are large, but there are plenty of well-established city apartments.
Mountain Brook Estates and Glencoe: Developed in 1929, many of the original homes have been lovingly preserved through the decades. It has Jemison Park to the east, the Country Club of Birmingham to the west, and the Mountain Brook Country Club on its northeast edge.
Mountain Brook Country Club-Shook Hill: It's filled with gorgeous historic homes and equally gorgeous new homes, with plenty for rent. They aren't all mansions either! There is an apartment complex in the heart of Mountain Brook Village and more options within easy walking distance. Starbucks anyone?
Brentwood Hills and Overton: With Cahaba River on the east side, U.S. 459 runs through the middle. Think convenience. Apartments and rental houses are urban sophisticated. Hey, newbies to Mountain Brook have to live somewhere!
Living in Mountain Brook
Most renters live in 2 bedroom apartments and apartment homes in Mountain Brook, and everyone seems to own two cars and a state-of-the-art bicycle. Encircling the city is a highway system consisting of U.S. 459, Interstate 59/20, and Interstate 65. Tucked around Mountain Brook are retail areas with shops, sidewalk cafes, restaurants and some basic-necessities businesses like grocery stores. They all have the word "village" in their name -- Mountain Brook Village, English Village, Crestline Village, Cahaba Village, Overton Village and Mountain Brook Plaza. Oops somebody apparently wasn't paying attention when assigning the last name.
The sidewalks are always filled with walkers and joggers. If so inclined, they can walk or jog to the Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Zoo. The first thing you need to do after moving to Mountain Brook is shop in a village for perfectly stylish exercise clothes. You want to fit in, don't you?
