The Birmingham, Alabama Area

Birmingham is the only spot on Earth where the three main materials needed to make steel: iron ore, coal, and limestone, exist in large quantities close together. This was Birmingham's initial claim to fame and enabled Birmingham to become a major player in steel manufacturing. The explosive growth set off by the ascension of Birmingham as a major center of American manufacturing gave Birmingham its nickname: the Magic City.

But between then and now, technology has replaced manufacturing as the city's main industry. Affectionately called the university that ate Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of the nation's top schools, and UAB is Birmingham's largest employer.

Today Birmingham is a winning combination of big-city convenience with a small-town community feel.

Some of the conveniences in the Magic City include tons of great Birmingham attractions, such as ample opportunities for shopping, sports, museums and more. It's very reassuring to have four world-class hospitals nearby. Birmingham is also home to several highly respected colleges and universities.

The small-town feel can mostly be found in Birmingham's suburbs. Mt Laurel is certainly among these communities, but is distinguished from a typical suburban development in many ways. Learn more about the factors, such as New Urbanism, that set the Town of Mt Laurel apart from other suburban communities.