jcgifford's right about the reverse commute to [and from] Hoover - all traffic crawls to Birmingham in the morning on both 65 and 280 then creeps back in the evening – I live on Birmingham's south side just off Highland and used to commute back and forth to Hoover - if you go to Hoover from Birmingham in the morning and return in the evening, you wont have much traffic most of the time, unless there is a pileup, but there is always shortcuts through Vestavia and Homewood. Look around, you can find nice apartments or homes for sale or rent with views of the City...Check out these hangouts too...
Highlands Bar & Grill
Highlands Bar&Grill | About Us - 2011 11th Avenue South
Birmingham - (205) 939-1400
If you want a Great French eatery and or Bar and all manner of drinks... (The Bar is the hangout palace)
Rojo
birminghammenus.com - 2921 Highland Avenue South
Birmingham - (205) 328-4733
Great hangout place... Mexican and American Food, Bear, Wine, Tequila & other spirits
iCantina
www.cantinabirmingham.com - 2901 2nd Avenue S # 110
Birmingham - (205) 323-6980
Great place for Southeastern Food, Bear, Wine, Tequila & other spirits
Other hangout places:
Bottega Italian Restaurant - 2242 Highland Avenue South
Birmingham - (205) 933-2001
bottegarestaurant.com
Not really a hangout but it is the #1 Best Italian Restaurant in Northern Alabama...possibly north America”!
Dave's Pub - 1128 20th Street South
davespubsouthside.com Birmingham - (205) 933-4030
Just a nice Bar
lucyscoffeeandtea.com Lucy's Coffee & Tea - 2007 University Boulevard
Birmingham - (205) 328-2007
Great place for morning Coffee and Snacks, close to UAB... every thing’s close to UAB...