Congratulations! If you're moving to Birmingham, Alabama —or just considering it—you've found a great place to call home. Friendly neighborhoods, great schools, beautiful parks and many different activities are just a few of the highlights you'll find here. If you're not familiar with the area, you may be surprised at exactly how much there is in store for you here.

History of Birmingham
In June of 1871 housing lots were offered for sale to the public. The first sold for $100. This new city of Birmingham was advertised nationwide offering 2,000 acres of forests and fields partitioned into square blocks with three parks and boasted streets of a 100 feet wide. The population at this time was 1,200. By 1873, it was 4,000. On December 19, 1871 a new city in the South was officially incorporated into The Union.

Due to it's unique history as a steel, mining, and industrial boom townóand also because of the leadership of individuals such as Philip Morris and Marjorie Whiteó Birmingham has become a world leader in preserving and telling the story of its industrial past.

Education in Birmingham
Several local schools have received the Blue Ribbon Award from the National Education Association out of Washington D.C. through their School Excellence Program. With the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham as the city's largest employer, the Magic City is a real learning and research center. UAB now employs more than 15,500, and it's payroll pumps more than $519.1 million annually into the area's economy. Both Samford University and Birmingham Southern College received distinguished marks from U.S. News and World Report, placing the schools in positions among "America's Best Colleges."

Business in Birmingham
Birmingham is home to some of the nation's largest corporations, including the Fortune 500 Vulcan Materials Company, and also the Fortune "service" Am South Bancorporation, Bruno's, Compass Bank, Regions Financial Corporation, and SouthTrust Corpporation. Forbes adds SONAT, Inc., Protective Life, and Torchmark to the list.

Birmingham's largest private employers are representative of the economic diversification of the area. Three major employers, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Alabama Gas and BE&K were included in the 1993 edition of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America.

From steel making robots to polar lipids, the latest technologies are at work in Birmingham in fields as diverse as health care, engineering, telecommunications, aerospace design, computer services, electronics, chemicals, medical and dental labs, and research and development laboratories.

Quality of Life in Birmingham
Birmingham is a big gardening city. Visitors are always impressed not only by the profundity of flowers, but by the great number of trees. The water quality in Birmingham is ranked fifth in the nation by Omni Magazine and the Survey of WaterTest Corporation. Local and national aficionados name an unusually large number of houses and neighborhoods as having world class quality.

A recent study showed Birmingham has the lowest tax bite for small businesses among 19 Southeastern cities; it was the seventh lowest for families. Geographically located in the center of the Southeast, the region offers outstanding scenic beauty, year-round golf, excellent education, and premiere business opportunities.

With a 1995 census estimated population of 881,761, Birmingham ranks as the 55th largest metropolitan area in the nation. The city of Birmingham has 264,527 people (63rd in size nationally). Jefferson County is the 74th most populous county in the United States. The nineteen-county primary market area, the state's largest, has a total population of 1.4 million.

Specializing in Smooth Relocations
As a real estate professional, Sally has made it her duty to know everything she can about relocating to, from or within Birmingham. Indeed she's widely considered an expert on the subject. Those who have worked with Sally appreciate knowing that the purchase of their new home is in the hands of such a capable and trustworthy professional. But Sally has also developed a keen insight into and understanding of her area simply because she loves it so much—especially when she has the opportunity to share it with others.

PROVIDING THE INFORMATION YOU NEED
Sally believes in making the real estate transaction and relocation as easy as possible for everyone involved. To her, that means providing information to anyone who wants to know more about the area she loves so much and knows so well.

That's why Sally has put together her Special Relocation Package, below, for anyone thinking about moving to the area. Of course, it's with no obligation. It's just one of the many ways Sally works to help you feel right at home right from the start.

Relocation Guide Birmingham In a Box: Relocation Services Here are just a few things Sally has included to make your relocation as smooth as possible: Complete map of the State of Alabama. Referral listings for Sally's hand-selected and highly recommended team of local professionals, including loan officers, accountants, lawyers, decorators, remodeling and construction companies, house cleaners, landscapers, and other services. A complete listing of area utility companies, banks, schools, churches and other services. Guide to popular restaurants, shops, attractions, and entertainment around the city. A current copy of the local newspaper so you can read up on all the latest news in your new hometown. A questionnaire you can fill out and fax or mail back to Sally so that she can send you customized information on exactly the type of property you're interested in.