Lakeshore & UAB area real estate & property management
Jefferson County · Buying, selling and rental management from our Pelham office
Quick answer
What is the Lakeshore / UAB area, and what should buyers and sellers know?
It is not a city. We use it for the Lakeshore Drive corridor in Homewood (around Samford), Lakeshore Parkway west into Birmingham, and the 5-mile drive north to UAB. Homes on the Homewood side are in Homewood City Schools; most Lakeshore Parkway frontage is in Birmingham. Call AKS Realty Group at 205-821-9683.
Quick answer
What should rental owners near Lakeshore and UAB know?
Renting is common here: in ZIP 35209 (Samford, Lakeshore Drive and much of Homewood) just 48.5% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the median gross rent is $1,318 (Census ACS 2020–2024). AKS Realty Group manages homes and condos here with no markup on repairs.
Living in Lakeshore / UAB
Lakeshore / UAB for buyers, sellers, renters and rental owners
"Lakeshore" is a road, not a town. Lakeshore Drive runs about 2.25 miles through southern Homewood along Shades Creek, past Samford University and Homewood High School, then continues west as Lakeshore Parkway into Birmingham and east as Shades Creek Parkway. We pair it with UAB because the medical center on Birmingham's Southside is about 5 miles to the north.
That makes this page different from our city pages. Two cities and two school districts meet here: the Lakeshore Drive side is in Homewood, while most of the 9.5-mile Lakeshore Parkway, from the I-65 interchange west toward Bessemer, is inside Birmingham city limits, according to Bhamwiki. North of Red Mountain, the Southside) neighborhood between downtown and the crest of the mountain is home to UAB and its hospitals.
The area's anchors are institutions rather than a city center: UAB, which describes itself as Alabama's largest single employer; Samford University's 247-acre campus at 800 Lakeshore Drive; Children's of Alabama's outpatient center at Lakeshore; and the Lakeshore Foundation. For property owners, these institutions are the main reason people look for a home or condo within a short drive.
ZIP 35209 (Lakeshore Drive, Samford, much of Homewood) at a glance · U.S. Census Bureau
- Median home value
- $504,600
- owner-occupied
- Median gross rent
- $1,318
- all rental types
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48.5%
- of occupied units
- Mean commute
- ≈17.4 minutes
- travel time to work
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 35209 (via Census Reporter). Population 32,734 (ACS 2020–2024 estimate for ZCTA 35209). Census figures are multi-year estimates and lag the market.
Neighborhoods & areas
Lakeshore / UAB neighborhoods and subdivisions
The Lakeshore / UAB area takes in three different kinds of places: established Homewood streets near Samford and Lakeshore Drive, the commercial and parkland stretch of Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham, and the Southside neighborhoods next to UAB.
Because city limits change along these roads, we confirm the city, school district and HOA or condo association for every address.
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Lakeshore Drive & Samford (Homewood)
Streets near Samford University, Homewood High School and the Shades Creek Greenway. Mayfair and Lakeshore Estates are names you will see on listings. Source
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Wildwood & the I-65 interchange
Wildwood Centre and Wildwood North shopping along Lakeshore Parkway near its I-65 interchange. Source
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Lakeshore Parkway west (Birmingham)
A mostly commercial and parkland corridor toward Oxmoor Valley and Red Mountain Park, where Birmingham uses covenants to limit development, per Bhamwiki. Source
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Southside & Five Points South
The Birmingham neighborhood around UAB and its hospitals, between downtown and the crest of Red Mountain. Five Points South is its long-standing entertainment district. Source
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Ridgeway Drive medical & recreation cluster
Children's at Lakeshore (3600 Ridgeway Drive) and the Lakeshore Foundation (4000 Ridgeway Drive), both in Homewood off Lakeshore Drive. Source
TODO (Srianil): confirm this list and add the Lakeshore / UAB subdivisions where you have sold or managed homes.
Schools
Which schools serve Lakeshore / UAB homes?
It depends on which city the home is in. Addresses inside Homewood are served by Homewood City Schools, whose Homewood High School is at 1901 South Lakeshore Drive. Addresses inside Birmingham, including much of Lakeshore Parkway and Southside, are generally served by Birmingham City Schools.
On this page more than any other, a mailing address is not enough: Homewood and Birmingham border each other along these roads, and the ZIP code or mailing city does not tell you which city a home is in. Confirm the school zone for a specific address with the district (Homewood City Schools' Residency Department is at 205-870-2011) before you buy, list or lease.
School zones can change. Always confirm the zone for a specific address with the school district.
Places & things to do
Parks, shopping and landmarks in Lakeshore / UAB
The Lakeshore corridor is unusually green for a road this close to downtown: the Shades Creek Greenway runs along Lakeshore Drive, and Lakeshore Parkway leads to Red Mountain Park and the Oxmoor Valley golf courses.
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Shades Creek Greenway
A paved trail along Lakeshore Drive and Shades Creek, recently extended with a 1.4-mile Phase 2, with about 145,600 visits a year (City of Homewood). Source
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Red Mountain Park
More than 1,500 acres with over 18 miles of hiking and biking trails, reached from Lakeshore Parkway. Source
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Oxmoor Valley
The Birmingham stop on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, off Lakeshore Parkway. Source
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Samford University
Campus events and NCAA Division I athletics at 800 Lakeshore Drive. Source
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Lakeshore Foundation
An adaptive sport, fitness and recreation organization at 4000 Ridgeway Drive, Homewood. Source
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Five Points South
Restaurants and nightlife on Southside, next to UAB. Source
Commute & access
Getting around from Lakeshore / UAB
Lakeshore Drive meets I-65 at exit 255, and US-31 and I-65 both cross Red Mountain to UAB and downtown. From Samford, UAB Hospital is about 5.4 miles and downtown Birmingham about 6 miles, roughly 10 to 11 minutes with no traffic.
At its west end, Lakeshore Drive meets Green Springs Highway and continues as Lakeshore Parkway; at its east end, past Independence Drive, it becomes Shades Creek Parkway. In ZIP 35209, the Census mean travel time to work is about 17.4 minutes (ACS 2020–2024, calculated from tables B08013 and B08303).
| From Samford University (Lakeshore Dr) to | Miles | Approx. minutes* | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAB Hospital | ~5.4 | ~10 | Live map |
| Downtown Birmingham (City Hall) | ~6.2 | ~11 | Live map |
| Red Mountain Park | ~6.2 | ~13 | Live map |
| Birmingham airport (BHM) | ~9.6 | ~18 | Live map |
* Approximate drive estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked October 24, 2026, with no traffic. Rush-hour trips take longer; use the map link for a live estimate. Mean commute: Census Reporter, ZCTA 35209.
Buy & sell
Buying and selling a home in Lakeshore / UAB
Housing here ranges from single-family houses on Homewood streets near Samford to condos, townhomes and apartments; Southside, next to UAB, is one of Birmingham's most densely populated residential neighborhoods. In ZIP 35209 the Census median owner-occupied home value is $504,600 (ACS 2020–2024).
ZIP 35209 is not the whole area: it covers Samford, Lakeshore Drive and much of Homewood, but not Southside. For context, the City of Birmingham as a whole has a Census median owner-occupied home value of $158,800, so prices change sharply across the city line. We price every home from sales on the same streets and in the same city, and we confirm city limits, school district, flood zone near Shades Creek, and any condo or HOA rules before you list or make an offer.
Lakeshore / UAB market snapshot (Greater Alabama MLS)
- Median sale price
- TODO: from MLS, last 12 months
- Median days on market
- TODO: from MLS, last 12 months
- Trend vs. prior year
- TODO: up / down / flat, with %
TODO (Srianil): fill from GALMLS for Lakeshore / UAB city limits, add "Source: Greater Alabama MLS, [date range]" and update quarterly.
Selling in Lakeshore / UAB
- ✓ List price from comparable Lakeshore / UAB sales
- ✓ Presentation and marketing advice
- ✓ Help comparing multiple offers
- ✓ Coordination through closing
Buying in Lakeshore / UAB
- ✓ Start with pre-approval and a clear budget
- ✓ Confirm city limits, county and school zone
- ✓ Offer based on comparable sales
- ✓ Inspection, appraisal and closing support
Lakeshore / UAB listings
Featured listings
TODO: paste the IDX embed code here (Greater Alabama MLS via IDX Broker or Buying Buddy).
Required on IDX pages: MLS IDX logo, disclaimer and listing office name.
Property management
Renting out a home in Lakeshore / UAB
Renting is more common here than in any of the cities profiled on our site: in ZIP 35209, 48.5% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, so about half are rented, and the median gross rent is $1,318 (ACS 2020–2024).
Demand is driven by proximity: UAB and its hospitals about 5 miles north, Samford on Lakeshore Drive, Children's at Lakeshore, and quick I-65 access. For context, the City of Birmingham's median gross rent is $1,107 with a 45.5% owner-occupied rate (Census 2020–2024). Rental property types include houses, duplexes, condos and townhomes. Condo associations often have their own leasing rules, so read the bylaws before you list; we review them with you.
We describe each rental by its features and location, screen every applicant by the same written criteria, and handle maintenance with multiple vendor quotes. AKS Realty Group never marks up repairs: you pay exactly what the vendor charges.
Why Lakeshore / UAB owners choose AKS Realty Group
- ✓ No markup on repairs
- ✓ Credit, criminal, employment and rental history screening
- ✓ 24/7 emergency maintenance
- ✓ Owner portal with monthly statements and inspection reports
Real estate agents: we send your client back
We manage your investor clients' rentals and send them back to you when they are ready to buy or sell. How agent referrals work
Lakeshore / UAB real estate & property management FAQ
Is Lakeshore a city?
No. Lakeshore Drive is a road in southern Homewood that continues west as Lakeshore Parkway, mostly inside Birmingham city limits. We use "Lakeshore / UAB" for the Lakeshore Drive and Samford area, Lakeshore Parkway, and the drive to UAB on Birmingham's Southside.
Which school district serves homes near Lakeshore Drive?
Homes inside Homewood are served by Homewood City Schools, and homes inside Birmingham are generally served by Birmingham City Schools. The two cities border each other along these roads, so confirm the district for each address.
How far is Lakeshore Drive from UAB?
From Samford University on Lakeshore Drive, UAB Hospital is about 5.4 miles, roughly 10 minutes with no traffic (OpenStreetMap routing estimate). Use a live map at your commute time.
Why do your Census numbers for this area use ZIP 35209?
Because Lakeshore is not a city, there is no city-level Census profile. ZIP Code Tabulation Area 35209 covers Samford, Lakeshore Drive and much of Homewood. It does not cover Southside near UAB, so for that side we cite City of Birmingham figures for context.
Can I rent out my condo near UAB or Samford?
Usually yes, but check your condo association's bylaws and current rules first. Some associations limit the number of rented units or set minimum lease terms. AKS Realty Group reviews them with you and manages the unit with no markup on repairs.
What does a rental near Lakeshore rent for?
In ZIP 35209 the Census median gross rent is $1,318 a month (ACS 2020–2024), across all rental types. A house near Samford, a condo and a Southside apartment all rent differently, so AKS prepares a free rental analysis from comparable leases.
More general questions on pricing, screening and owner statements: see our FAQ.
Our work in Lakeshore / UAB
AKS Realty Group in Lakeshore / UAB
Homes sold in Lakeshore / UAB
TODO: number and date range, from your closed-sales records
Lakeshore / UAB rental homes we manage
TODO: current door count in Lakeshore / UAB
A Lakeshore / UAB client review
TODO: paste a real review from a Lakeshore / UAB client (with permission), naming the source (Google, Zillow) and date. Do not write or edit reviews.
TODO: a local photo you took in Lakeshore / UAB (a listing you sold, a managed home's street, or a landmark), with descriptive alt text
Sources
- Census Reporter: ZCTA 35209 profile: ACS 2020–2024 tables B25077, B25064, B25003, B08013, B08303, B01003
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Birmingham city, Alabama: 2020–2024 ACS home value, gross rent, owner-occupied rate (context)
- Bhamwiki: Lakeshore Drive: length, route, Samford (secondary source)
- Bhamwiki: Lakeshore Parkway: length, city limits, Wildwood, Red Mountain Park and Oxmoor Valley access (secondary source)
- UAB: About
- Samford University: About: campus size and address
- Children's of Alabama: Children's at Lakeshore
- Lakeshore Foundation
- City of Homewood: Shades Creek Greenway Phase Two
- Jefferson County Greenways: Red Mountain Park
- RTJ Golf Trail: Oxmoor Valley
- Homewood City Schools: Residency
- Birmingham City Schools
- Wikipedia: Southside (Birmingham): Southside boundaries, UAB, Five Points South (secondary source)
- OpenStreetMap / OSRM routing: drive distance and time estimates
Facts checked October 2026. Places, schools and roads change; tell us if something here is out of date.
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