Sylacauga is the first place in the world where an object from outer space has been documented as hitting a person! Yep, back in 1954, a four-kilogram piece of meteorite came crashing through the roof of a house, hit a radio and bounced into a woman named Mrs. Ann Hodges, who was casually enjoying an afternoon nap! Jeez, how's that for a wake up call!
Sylacauga has also been nicknamed many things over the years, such as "Alabama's Best Kept Secret," "Buzzard's Roost" and "The Marble City" on account of the city's links with the marble industry. It's situated in Talladega County and is home to 12,749 people, according to the U.S. Census in 2010. The Talladega National Forest is also right on the eastern border of the city, with the smaller settlements of Stewartville, Fayetteville and Childersburg within a few miles to the south, west and north respectively. The closest major city is Birmingham, about 40 miles along Route 280 to the northwest. Atlanta is about 90 miles to the northeast as the crow flies.
Moving to Sylacauga
A good proportion of the 5,000-plus houses in Sylacauga are renter occupied. This essentially means that the market is pretty good for rental seekers. Most of the housing is single family detached houses, so finding a house for rent in Sylacauga should be simple enough. But what about an apartment for rent? Well, over 20 percent of homes are in apartment blocks and high-rise complexes, so this isn't bad. A studio apartment will be harder to find, but anything with 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms will be readily available.
Rental prices are pretty low for the state, and ridiculously low when compared to cities like New York or California. Most people work in the town itself or the nearby areas, with Birmingham within commuting distance, but it's important that you have work already lined up before you start house hunting or, at the very least, can show that you've been earning regularly and are able to make your rent. Most people relocate when they have already sorted out their working situation, and it's not really a good idea just to move on a hunch and hope to find work. Showing employment records, references, and a strong credit history will help you secure a place to live quickly.
Neighborhoods in Sylacauga
Sylacauga has a WalkScore of 60, which is pretty much in the middle ground. In other words, you can walk for some errands but will need to drive for others. There is a bus service that operates around town, but most people tend to drive to work if they don't have the luxury of being able to walk or cycle. Before you put on your walking shoes or start driving around aimlessly, learn about the neighborhoods so you know where to start your search for a home. Here is brief guide to help you out.
City Center: This is the real hub of the town and includes the main eating, drinking and shopping areas of downtown. Downtown Bar-B-Que and Grill, L'Acosta Mexican and Marble City Grill are just three restaurants in the center of town,. You'll also find the Comer Museum and Arts Center here.
Gantts Junction: Route 280 runs straight through this neighborhood, so it's useful for commuters who travel over to Birmingham. The Fort William Shopping Center is great for your groceries.
Oldfield: Does fancy living within the Talladega National Forest sound good to you? Then you are in the right place. In Oilfield, you'll be close to the Sylacauga Country Club, which is great if you like to play golf or just hang out in a nice place.
Talladega Springs: Out here it's pretty rural and exclusively full of detached housing and mobile homes, so it's not great if you're on the hunt for townhouses for rent! But if you like golf, this is for you. The golf course, Pursell Farms, is in the southwest area of this neighborhood.
Living in Sylacauga
With the Talladega National Forest on the city's doorstep, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun in Sylacauga, particularly for those with a penchant for hiking, biking and hunting. In the city itself, there are also five parks, with Noble Park being the largest. There's even a skate park and a pavilion available for party or event rentals. Elsewhere there are tennis courts, baseball fields, volleyball sand pits and a lot more.
In town itself you'll find that most of the local amenities are concentrated in the downtown area, where festivals and other events are held through the year. Restaurants like Big Mike's Fish Wings and Things and Sonic Drive In are popular among the locals. If you just want a drink, head over to JR's Sport Bar just down the road. If you're looking for something a bit more lively, then nearby Birmingham will offer you a lot more. Thankfully, getting there is simple with Route 280 going straight through the city. Getting around town itself it also simple by using the transit service that runs through it.
