Where Should You Live If You Work at UAB?
Quick Answer: If you want to walk or bike to UAB, look at Southside, Five Points South, Glen Iris, or Lakeview — all within about a mile of campus. If you want more space and a short 10-15 minute drive, Homewood and Highland Park/Redmont Park are the sweet spot for young professionals and families. If top-rated schools and a longer-term family home are the priority, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are both a straightforward 15-20 minute commute via the Red Mountain Expressway. There's no wrong answer here — it comes down to whether you're optimizing for commute time, school district, or lifestyle.
UAB is Alabama's largest employer, and as the state's biggest medical center and research university, it draws relocating physicians, nurses, researchers, faculty, and administrative staff from all over the country. I work with a steady stream of UAB employees every year, and the first question is almost always the same: how close do I actually need to be? Here's how I break it down by priority.
If You Want to Walk or Bike to Work: Southside, Five Points South, Glen Iris, Lakeview
UAB's campus sits in Birmingham's Southside neighborhood, on the slopes just south of downtown, and the hospital and medical district anchor the north and east side of campus. If a short commute is your top priority, these are your options:
Southside / Five Points South — the neighborhood UAB literally sits inside of. Dense, walkable, full of restaurants and nightlife, and about as close as you can get. This is a strong fit for residents, medical students, and staff who want to walk to work and don't need a yard.
Glen Iris — just west of campus near I-65, quieter and more residential than Five Points South, with a mix of bungalows and newer construction.
Lakeview — just southeast of campus, walkable to Pepper Place and the Lakeview District's restaurant scene, popular with younger professionals.
These neighborhoods trade square footage and yard space for commute time. Expect smaller lots, more condos and townhomes, and a lifestyle built around walkability rather than suburban space.
If You Want a Short Drive and More Space: Highland Park, Redmont Park, Homewood
For a 10-15 minute commute with noticeably more house and yard for the money, this tier is the classic UAB-employee sweet spot:
Highland Park — historic, tree-lined, walking distance to Rhodes Park and the Highland Park golf course, with a strong mix of young professionals and longtime residents.
Redmont Park — quiet, established, sits between Highland Park and the base of Red Mountain.
Homewood — technically over the mountain but still a quick shot up Highway 31, with its own well-regarded school system, a walkable downtown strip, and a strong sense of community. Homewood is consistently one of the most popular landing spots for UAB physicians and staff with families.
If Schools Are the Top Priority: Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills
If you're relocating with school-age kids and want to optimize for the school district first, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are both a straightforward commute up and over Red Mountain via U.S. 31 (the Red Mountain Expressway) — typically 15-20 minutes to campus outside of peak traffic.
Mountain Brook — Birmingham's most established suburb for top-rated schools, mature neighborhoods, and walkable villages. Home prices run higher here, and it's a popular choice for UAB physicians and department chairs settling in for the long term.
Vestavia Hills — a strong, slightly more attainable alternative to Mountain Brook with its own highly regarded school system and a mix of established and newer neighborhoods.
Both require crossing Red Mountain twice a day, so it's worth test-driving the commute at your actual shift time — UAB's hospital and clinical staff often work outside standard 9-to-5 hours, which can make this commute easier than it looks on paper.
If You Want New Construction or a Longer Commute for More House: Hoover, Trussville, Chelsea
For UAB employees willing to trade commute time for more new construction, larger lots, and generally lower price points, the outer suburbs are worth a look — Hoover to the south, or Trussville and Chelsea to the east. Expect a 25-35 minute commute depending on traffic and shift timing, which works well for staff who aren't commuting during peak rush hour or who have hybrid/remote flexibility for administrative work.
A Few UAB-Specific Commute Realities
UAB runs a free shuttle system, Blazer Express, across campus and the medical district for badge holders — useful if you park a bit further out or live in a neighborhood requiring a short drive plus shuttle.
Shift workers in the hospital system often find their actual commute times are far better than daytime estimates suggest, since much of the hospital staff works outside standard rush hour.
Parking near the medical district fills up fast; if you're considering a walkable neighborhood specifically to avoid campus parking, Southside and Glen Iris are your best bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest neighborhood to UAB? Southside and Five Points South are the closest, sitting directly adjacent to and partially within UAB's campus footprint. Glen Iris and Lakeview are also within roughly a mile.
Where do most UAB doctors and staff live? It varies by role and family stage, but Homewood, Highland Park, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia Hills are consistently the most common landing spots for UAB physicians, faculty, and staff with families, while Southside and Lakeview draw more single professionals and residents.
Is it worth living far from UAB for a bigger house? It can be, especially for staff whose shifts fall outside standard rush hour. Hoover, Trussville, and Chelsea offer more new construction and larger lots for the money, with a 25-35 minute commute in typical traffic.
Does UAB have its own transportation system? Yes. UAB operates Blazer Express, a free shuttle system for badge holders that runs across campus and the medical district, which can extend the practical living radius even without a close-in address.
Which UAB-area neighborhoods are best for walking to work? Southside, Five Points South, Glen Iris, and Lakeview are all realistically walkable or bikeable to campus, depending on the specific building or department.
Relocating to Birmingham for a role at UAB? I help incoming physicians, faculty, and staff find the right neighborhood for their commute, budget, and lifestyle — often before they've had a chance to see the city in person. Schedule a free relocation consultation or visit bridgetsikora.com to get started.
