Five Points South - Birmingham, AL

Five Points South was once considered to be a "trolley suburb" of Birmingham. It was named as such because residents reached the city limits by trolley. Known as Highland when it was first incorporated, the area became part of the City of Birmingham in 1893. Five Points South attracted some of the most affluent residents in the city over the years, and it continues to be one of the most desirable communities in Birmingham because of its breathtaking historical architecture.

Locals looking for art and culture head to the Birmingham Festival Theater for live performances of plays. The Birmingham Museum of Art and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame are also located nearby.

Residents from all over Birmingham come to Five Points South to enjoy the many restaurants and pubs located in the neighborhood. While there isn't a central restaurant district in the area, you'll find many great dining options throughout the area.

For authentic Italian cuisine in a stunning historic building, head to Bottega. This local favorite has a main dining room for formal, sit-down meals, and it also has a cafe for enjoying a casual drink and appetizer. Beef carpaccio and braised lamb shoulder top the list of crowd-pleasers in the formal dining room. While the cafe does not have a dress code, the dining room does, so be sure to arrive in business casual attire.

Get the French cafe experience at Chez Fonfon, which specializes in everything from coq au vin to a French-inspired burger served with pommes frites. Pair your meal with one of the many wines on the Chez Fonfon wine list. The cozy decor gives this restaurant a charming, old world feel.

Have a casual meal with the whole family at Cosmos Pizza. This local pizzeria sells a wide range of specialty pizzas, including the Bayou Pizza, which features Cajun chicken, alligator sausage or ham, Feta cheese and onions. Grab a single slice and a beer for a quick lunch, or head to Cosmos Pizza on Sunday for a brunch that includes a bloody Mary bar.

For nightlife, head to the Blue Monkey for a night of cocktails and live piano music, or meet friends for a game of pool after work at Upside Down Plaza.

Nestled between I-65 and Route 31, Five Points South offers easy access to other areas of the city and state. Residents can easily walk to local attractions, but travel outside of the neighborhood does require a vehicle in most cases. Parking in the area consists of a mix of free and paid street parking. The 5pts Parking Deck provides affordable sheltered parking for residents and customers of local businesses.

For those who prefer public transit, the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority provides affordable bus service throughout the neighborhood and city. There is a limited number of protected bike lanes in the neighborhood, though you will need to share the road with motorists on some roads.

Hailing a taxi in the Five Points South neighborhood is not always easy, but you can call ahead to order a ride to wherever you might need to go. Uber does not service this area.

Vulcan Park and Museum resides within the Five Points South neighborhood. This iconic park features a 110-year-old 50-ton iron statue that sits watch over the city. Visitors can climb the observation deck to enjoy an unfettered view of Birmingham. Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the main attraction in the neighborhood and is home to a number of special events, including the city's annual Fourth of July celebration, which consists of live music, food, drinks and one of the biggest fireworks displays in the state.

For more traditional parks, residents head out of the neighborhood. Nearby Avondale Park boasts 40 acres of wooded land, with much of the land situated on Red Mountain, making it ideal for hiking. Baseball diamonds, picnic pavilions and a pond all dot the park grounds, providing access to exercise as well as relaxation. Playgrounds are available at this free public park to keep little ones busy. Pets can frolic throughout the park, though they will need to stay on a leash. This park also hosts several annual events, taking advantage of the park's amphitheater for live music performances.

Rent in this neighborhood continues to be reasonable, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $901 per month. This does tend to be a little higher than the city average, but the overall cost of living in the area makes up for the difference in rent. Gas prices tend to run about 6 percent lower than the national average, making it more affordable to get around by car in Birmingham. If you prefer not to spend money at the pump, a single ride on the public transit system costs just $1.25. The bus represents a great option for travel to and from local pubs, where a pint of beer can set you back around $3.

This neighborhood consists mostly of restaurants, banks and office buildings, but there are nearby shopping options that give locals plenty of access to great merchandise. The Summit Birmingham is located to the east of Five Points South, and it consists of many high-end stores, including Restoration Hardware, Saks Fifth Avenue and Brooks Brothers. The Riverchase Galleria represents the traditional shopping mall in the area.

Smaller boutiques dot the City of Birmingham, so Five Points South residents don't need to travel far to shop locally owned businesses. Church Street Coffee and Books features books by local authors as well as nationally recognized books. Curl up with a book and a pastry here for a relaxing afternoon away from home.

A'mano, located in the Mountain Brook Shopping Center, sells small gifts and collectibles. From mugs and salt and pepper shakers to greeting cards, this cozy boutique has a little something for everyone.

Publix, Whole Foods and Piggly Wiggly all serve the Birmingham area, though Five Points South residents do need to head outside of the neighborhood to get to any of these stores. The Pepper Place Saturday Market sells fresh locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses and more every Saturday from April to December.