Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Tuscaloosa is a quiet town that derives a big percentage of its energy from the UA student population, school events and University cottage businesses. If you’re into that kind of spiky local loyalty and spirit you’re going to love it here.

Here's a summary of what happens in Tuscaloosa from a local:
*The university does offer a variety of things to do in Tuscaloosa. Their theatre, dance, and music departments all offer shows for the public. The astronomy department has viewings open to the public where they focus on a specific feature of space for the night. The English department hosts readings where the graduate students present their writings. Improbable Fictions is the English department’s presentation of Shakespeare as a staged reading series.

And of course there are the university sporting events that happen all year. During the summer, it is absolutely worth catching the Rude Mechanicals offering Shakespeare’s plays on a makeshift outdoor theatre. Outside of the university, there isn’t much to do unless you enjoy outdoor activities. There are a few art galleries, the Bama Theatre offers occasional entertainment (Arthouse Movie Series, live plays, the Pink Box Burlesque puts on a live rendition of the Rocky Horror Picture Show every Halloween), there are some arts and crafts events (Kentuck Art Festival is the big one, there is a great farmer’s market (the Tuscaloosa River Market), and occasional events at the government plaza (such as their Live at the Plaza free live music events for the whole family and arts and craft events).*

For more reviews of what living in Tuscaloosa is like from locals check out: The Buzz

Now we aren’t saying we don’t love football. We’re just saying that if you don’t love football Tuscaloosa can be a tough place to live. The spirit of the town really is driven by a deep passion for the “Crimson Tide”. A lot of college towns get caught up in the madness but Tuscaloosa is a particularly acute case.

Note from a local about where to live in the area:
Northport has some great neighborhoods, that are progressive and quiet (e.g., near Bellwood). A friend calls it the Berkeley of Alabama. :P Plenty of people commute from Birmingham, too, depending on the family's income.

Schools vary. Lots of parents send their kids to private schools in Alabama, so the public schools have resource issues. The Capitol School is a popular private for faculty kids. Although areas around the university might seem more progressive, you need to stay away from student housing. There is some nice single-family housing south of Paul Bryant Avenue near Queen City. Woodland Hills and Acadia are pretty progressive neighborhoods