Vestavia Hills Alabama: The Complete Guide
4 Reasons to Move to Vestavia Hills, AL
Vestavia Hills is an upscale suburb of Birmingham, Alabama known for rolling hills, generous amounts of wooded areas, greenspace and shopping. Here are a few reasons to LOVE Vestavia:
Eclectic, Traditional, and Luxury Homes
As you drive through Vestavia, you’ll notice very different home styles all throughout the city. Since Vestavia was established in 1946, many of Vestavia’s homes are mid-century modern, ranch style, as well as A-frame homes. Through the years, new neighborhoods have been established all over the city that include upscale luxury homes, sprawling mansions, and traditionally styled homes. For those residents who like the older style of home with all the modern conveniences, Vestavia is a sure place to find tons of interiorly updated flips that still preserve the charm of the older styles of homes that Vestavia is known for.
Liberty Park
Liberty Park is a very desirable area for luxury living. Partnering with Harris Doyle homes, Liberty Park is a master planned community featuring not only large luxury homes and small garden homes, but also townhome communities, such as the newest community, The Bray, which started construction late in 2023. Liberty Park is more than just a neighborhood; it’s a haven–the kind of neighborhood where you still know your neighbors—yet it’s expansive enough to nurture your family’s every desire, including shopping, gas stations, restaurants, sweet treats, spas, and salons. For the outdoors type, Liberty Park offers multiple swimming pools, sports courts, and hiking trails. To learn more about Liberty Park, CLICK HERE.
Cahaba Heights & The Summit
When the first section of the Summit shopping center was built in 1997, Cahaba Heights was seen as desirable not only by Mountain Brook, but also by Vestavia Hills. Vestavia ultimately won the annexation of Cahaba Heights in 2002, as well as the quaint area that boasts not only heavy commercial retail, but unique smaller boutiques, cottage-like residential areas, plus upscale, condo, and townhome communities that became part of the larger city. One of the most notable and longtime shops in Cahaba Heights is Murphree’s Fruits & Vegetables, where you can find local farm-to-table produce (both fresh and frozen), biscuits, local honey, jams, jellies, plants, pots, garden accessories, flowers, and more. Cahaba Heights’ other claim to fame is the Summit Shopping Center that sits atop a hill in Cahaba Heights. From high fashion to electronics, you can find every imaginable type of store to have a shopping spree to your heart content.
Mark’s Outdoors
Mark’s Outdoors is a landmark in the heart of Vestavia. Started in 1980, it quickly became a destination outdoors store, one of the top 10 in the country! In 2012, the owner Mark passed away, but is now owned and operated by his wife and son and continues to be one of the most exceptional places to obtain all you need for hunting, fishing, and an outdoor lifestyle. To see what an incredible Store Mark’s Outdoors is CLICK HERE.
VESTAVIA HILLS' LOCATION & SHOPPING
Two of the most notable areas in Vestavia are Cahaba Heights community & the Liberty Park neighborhood. Cahaba Heights was annexed by Vestavia Hills in 2002. Additionally you’ll enjoy shopping at the well-known outdoor lifestyle center, The Summit, which is equipped with all the big-name stores like Apple, Belk, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Mountain High Outfitters, and popular eateries, such as Cheesecake Factory, Chuy’s, Panera Bread, and many more. The community of Liberty Park is in the northeast part of Vestavia. Well cared-for neighborhoods are what you will find as you tour the streets in this area.
Vestavia, as it is known to locals, is located along a stretch of Montgomery Highway (U.S. Route 31) that runs north to south. It is located south of downtown Birmingham in Jefferson and Shelby County.
LIVING IN VESTAVIA HILLS, ALABAMA
With no high-rise buildings or crowded streets to navigate, this low traffic area is considered one of the “Over the Mountain” areas of Birmingham far enough away from the “hustle and bustle” of downtown Birmingham but close enough to be accessible. Vestavia is not just a community; it’s a financial inspiration with a rich cultural allure that embodies the essence of the South at its finest. The strong community pride, exceptional schools, and a prosperous economy collectively define Vestavia Hills as “A Life Above,” which City leadership just recently adopted as their new motto.
VESTAVIA HILLS WEATHER
Vestavia is in the sunny South. Warm weather can begin as early as March and continue until Thanksgiving. Both Fall and Spring are mild. Most summer days are in the low 90s, though there can be days when the temperature can be in the upper 90s. Spring and summer will see rainy days almost on a weekly basis until the drier days of August and September arrive. Winter month temperatures can be anything but boring. A week of near shirt-sleeve weather can be followed by a week of 20s and 30s.
VESTAVIA HILLS POPULATION
The population of Vestavia is just under 40,000. Cahaba Heights population is approximately 5,000. Liberty Park population is slightly over 55,000.
WHERE IS VESTAVIA HILLS, ALABAMA?
Vestavia Hills is nestled on Montgomery Highway is a residential community with numerous neighborhoods branching off Montgomery Highway. Vestavia is located at 33°25′59″N 86°46′44″W, along U.S. Route 31, which runs north to south past Birmingham. Vestavia is located to the north, while Hoover, Alabama is located to the south. Vestavia is comprised of 19.41 square miles, 0.07% of which is water, with Little Cahaba River and Little Shades Creek both found in Vestavia.
VESTAVIA HILLS MAP
VESTAVIA HILLS HISTORY
Vestavia Hills, known to the locals as Vestavia, is a suburb of Birmingham and is in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Settlers began arriving in the first half of the twentieth century.
Mayor George Ward, former mayor of Birmingham, had a large estate in Vestavia, which is where the city got its name. His mansion became a landmark and is remembered by the Sybl Temple replica he had on his estate, which was relocated in 1976 and sits at the top crest of Shades Mountain. In 1946, Charles Byrd, the visionary developer, established a subdivision on the slopes of Shades Mountain. This endeavor took shape as it gained its status as an independent city on the notable date of November 8, 1950.
For more in-depth information on the city of Vestavia, Alabama, CLICK HERE.
PARKS IN VESTAVIA HILLS
- Wald Park
- Byrd Park
- McCallum Park
- Liberty Park Sports Complex
- Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex
- Cahaba Heights Athletic Fields
- Mountain Woods Park
- Altadena Valley Park
VESTAVIA HILLS NEWS & EVENTS
One of best ways to see all about current events and happenings in the Vestavia, Alabama area is through their local newspaper The Vestavia Voice. To keep up with everything in Vestavia, Alabama, CLICK HERE.
VESTAVIA HILLS SCHOOLS
PRIVATE SCHOOLS LOCATED IN VESTAVIA HILLS:
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT LIVING IN VESTAVIA HILLS?
Feel free to call me anytime to learn more about living in Vestavia, Alabama.
