Many small-town people make it into the big time. Residents of Leeds, Alabama, are no exception. Coming from Leeds are two famous sports figures: NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and Baseball Hall of Famer Harry "The Hat" Walker. If these names don't ring a bell, then you're probably not into sports or were born too late.

If you move to Leeds, no one will hold it against you if you don't know about two of its famous sons. But you will be tested on certain historical facts. So pay close attention. This small Alabama town was named after the city of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Leeds is a tri-county municipality, meaning its borders stretch across three Alabama counties: Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby Counties. When you move there, be sure to know which county you live in. Leeds is an eastern suburb of Birmingham, with a population of 11,773, as of the 2010 U. S. Census, across 22.4 square miles. Scenic and rural, Leeds offers a historic downtown, quaint residential areas and beautiful parks for outdoor recreation.

Living Large in Leeds

Living in Leeds will cost you a bit more money when compared to other Alabama neighborhoods. Even so, the overall cost of living is lower than the national average.

What it costs

As Leeds becomes more popular, the population is growing - faster than the national average. Available housing units may be hard to find, so start your search early. If you want to increase chances for snagging a place, don't be a rental apartment or condo for rent snob. Consider looking at a house to rent as well.

When to start looking

Unless you've been under a rock, you know by now that you've got to give up some personal details before landlords will hand over the keys. A standard rental application requires a credit check, employment history, income information, application fees and a security deposit, usually one month's rent. So have this information ready, along with a list of personal references. Don't use someone as a reference if they've really grown to dislike you.

What you need

When on the search for apartments in Leeds, some of the newer, more rural neighborhoods may be your best shot. City apartments are limited. A few popular areas to check out, according to the Neighborhood Scout website, include Grant Mills, Maplewood and Vandiver. All are south of the Leeds, Alabama City Center.Grant Mills: High end, suburban neighborhood with medium to large single family homes.Maplewood: Suburban area with average rental prices, featuring single family homes and apartment complexes. You might hit the living large in Leeds jackpot with this area.Vandiver: A rural neighborhood with rental prices higher than average and mostly owner-occupied single family homes.

Leeds Neighborhoods

The Lay of Leeds' Land

A major draw to Leeds is the Shops at Grand River. This shopping venue is filled with major brand outlet stores like Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, J. Crew, Gap and Fossil. This is a major shopping rush for just about anyone. The closeness to Birmingham yields quick access to even more shopping, restaurants and nightlife. A bit further east on Interstate 20 gets you into Atlanta, Georgia, for more fun and excitement in the shopping world.

Shopper's Paradise

Leeds is not just a place for people who live to shop. More excitement can be found in several area star attractions.The Barber Motorsports Park offers so much for racing fans, from Indy racing to super bike racing, vintage festivals and a museum. The park is located in Birmingham.The second largest Bass Pro Shop is located in Leeds, just across Interstate 20 from the Shops at Grand River. If you're not familiar with Bass Pro, the shop offers a huge variety of sporting goods and educational programs. It's not just a shop, it's an experience.The Leeds Scenic Byway and Cahaba River Trail provides nature lovers the opportunity to take a hike, literally. The byway was once a stagecoach route. No horse and buggy required now, as visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenes in a more modern fashion.Last, but not least, if you like NASCAR, you'll love the Talladega Raceway. This racetrack is only about a 30-minute drive from Leeds.

Star Attractions

Leeds is a small town. The best way to get around is with a car. This should not be a surprise, as the nearest major airport is the Birmingham International Airport.Small town atmosphere, a shopping and racing paradise, big-city connections and a low cost of living - what's not to love about Leeds?

Getting Around

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Birmingham

Shelby County

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Miles College

Birmingham Southern College

Lawson State Community College-Birmingham Campus

Samford University

Jefferson State Community College

Leeds

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