South Montgomery - Montgomery, AL

Outer south Montgomery’s rural areas were settled in the mid-1800s. When Montgomery expanded to the south during the mid-20th century, the tiny community of Snowdoun became part of Montgomery. However, Hope Hull and Ramer both remained separate communities within the Montgomery metropolitan area, housing individual school systems and post offices.

Don’t expect to find a thriving arts scene or museums in the outer south portion of Montgomery. Area residents travel into downtown Montgomery to visit museums, such as the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, the Freedom Rides Museum and The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. Less than a mile west of downtown Montgomery, Old Alabama Town invites visitors to tour an authentic 19th century village. Montgomery also hosts several annual events, including the Southern Makers Festival and the Montgomery Film Festival.

Most of the restaurants in the area are along the major thoroughfares, such as Route 8 and U.S. routes 80 and 31, as well as near the exits off Interstate 65. Residents can choose from a variety of establishments and cuisines.

Southern Comfort Restaurant, on Wasden Road just north of the business park off I-65, is one of the best places to find home cooking outside of Montgomery. Open everyday, including Sundays, it serves BBQ, fried green tomatoes and all of the other Southern specialties and comfort food that you'd expect to find at a place called Southern Comfort. Get in early, as it's closed up tight at 8 p.m.

For Mexican food, visit El Amigo Mexican Restaurant on Mobile Highway in Hope Hull, and don't let the dated facade fool you. El Amigo serves large portions of tasty Mexican food at affordable prices. Locals recommend the hot and spicy burrito, the enchiladas and the steak fajitas.

Visit K and J Rib Shack on South Court Street for pulled pork and chicken sandwiches. Order your meal with a side of creamy coleslaw, and finish it off with a slice of red velvet cake for the full barbecue experience.

Outer South Montgomery doesn't have a lively nightlife scene. However, a short drive into Montgomery presents you with a variety of options. Visit Stuckey's Night Club on Vaughn Road to dance the night away. This club features a DJ every Wednesday through Saturday and hosts karaoke on Wednesday nights. For an evening filled with live music, check out 1048 Jazz and Blues any night of the week.

The majority of outer south Montgomery residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation. Direct access to Interstate 65, Route 9 and U.S. routes 80 and 31 make commuting into the city easy. You don’t have to pay for parking in the area’s rural or residential areas, but you can expect to pay some parking fees in the city.

Residents who live in suburban areas of outer south Montgomery take the bus to get around if needed. The Montgomery Area Transit System operates buses in the southern portion of the city as well as between the city and the airport. Buses do not service the rural areas south of Montgomery.

You can’t hail a cab anywhere in this area, and Uber doesn’t service it. Residents close to the city or airport can call a local taxi company to arrange for pickup. Because the outer south portion of Montgomery covers a vast portion of land, walking and bike riding are not feasible transportation options. You won’t find dedicated bike lanes here, and rural streets don’t have sidewalks, so walking and biking are not always safe.

Two parks sit in the outer south Montgomery area – Woodcrest Park on Thornwood Drive and Calhoun Park on Coretta Drive. Both parks features playgrounds for the little ones, tennis courts and basketball courts. A paved walking trail surrounds Calhoun Park, making it a good place to get outdoor exercise and walk your dog. Woodcrest Park features a softball field, picnic shelters and a large open field perfect for family soccer and football games.

Visit Blount Cultural Park in downtown Montgomery, and take a scenic stroll through the miles of trails, and bring your dog for some off-leash exercise. This park features separate play areas for large and small canines, wash stations and benches. It also hosts the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which features theatrical performances throughout the year.

The cost of living in outer south Montgomery averages slightly lower than Montgomery’s average cost of living. Expect to pay approximately $553 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence and about $3 for a beer at a nearby bar. A one-way bus ride costs $2, and a weekly pass costs $18. Gas prices typically sit around 8 percent below the national average.

While a variety of stores that sell basic household necessities are on the area's main thoroughfares, the majority of the retail establishments nearby outer south Montgomery are in the downtown area.

Bishop-Parker Furniture on East South Boulevard specializes in home decor, mattresses and floor coverings. This store features hand-knotted, vegetable-dyed rugs as well as a wide variety of modern floor coverings. Purchase drapes, bedspreads, furniture and patio furniture, or have your current furniture reupholstered in custom fabric here.

Located in the Norman Bridge South shopping center, Beauty and Beyond specializes in cosmetics and beauty supplies. It carries an extensive collection of real-hair extensions, wigs and hair care supplies along with makeup, skincare and nail care products.

Outer south Montgomery residents complete their grocery shopping at one of the several local Winn-Dixie locations or the Piggly Wiggly on West Fairview Avenue. Shop for Latin-American favorites at Las Palmas Supermarket on Troy Highway. Capital Farmers Market, a year-round farmers market on East South Boulevard, features a large selection of fresh produce and meat in addition to its Hispanic, Asian and Caribbean foods.