Small-town Brookwood offers quiet living near Tuscaloosa
The family-friendly community of Brookwood offers a place to relax outside of Tuscaloosa. "Brookwood is a small town, but it's grown a lot over the past few years," says Realtor Loren Elmore Thomley with Keller Williams Realty Tuscaloosa. "It's close to Tuscaloosa, where you can shop, go to the airport or go out to dinner." Elmore Thomley notes that Brookwood is also near the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, a major area employer. "That's a huge job opportunity here, and it brings a lot of people to the area," she says. While it's close to attractions, retail and employers, Brookwood still has its offerings. There are local restaurants, community events and access to recreation at the Black Warrior River, making Brookwood a popular place for people looking for a quiet area to call home.
Rolling hills, forests and creeks surround Brookwood homes
Brookwood sits in the last rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The community is surrounded by swaths of pine and oak forests, spotted with ponds and threaded by creeks. There is a variety in Brookwood's housing inventory, and homes have a median sale price of $243,000. Midcentury, ranch-style and New Traditional houses are closer to the main road. These areas have neat yards and mature oak and magnolia trees. New construction is on the outskirts of town and includes subdivisions with contemporary homes and modern farmhouse. "There isn't a massive amount of new construction, but there's a lot more than five years ago," Elmore Thomley says. Acreage is also available as homes reach deeper into the countryside, mainly featuring lush, deep woods. According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Brookwood has a relatively high risk of being impacted by a tornado. Buyers should consider adequate homeowner's insurance and shelter locations in emergencies.
Tuscaloosa County Schools serve Brookwood students
Tuscaloosa County Schools serves nearly 20,000 students and scores an overall B rating on Niche. Brookwood Elementary earns a B-minus, Brookwood Middle earns a C-plus and Brookwood High earns a B-minus. High schoolers have several extracurricular activity options, including mass media, band and JROTC.
Town park hosts sports, events and a back-to-school festival
The community provides several small recreation spaces, notably Brookwood Town Park. The park hosts youth sports at its baseball, softball and football fields. It also offers a playground, sports courts and a short walking path. The park is the grounds for the annual Brookwood Back to School Bash. The family-friendly event features vendors, food trucks, carnival rides, live music and fireworks. Outside Brookwood, residents can fish for bass and catfish at Blue Springs Fish Ponds. About 6 miles west, several public use areas are along the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The Rocky Branch Public Use Area offers a swimming beach, trails, quiet fishing spots, secluded campsites and a boat launch onto the river.
Local restaurants and churches anchor Brookwood’s core
Brookwood's modest town center features supply stores, industrial shops, small businesses and churches. There's a mix of chain and local restaurants, including La Casa Crimson, a popular Mexican restaurant, and Henry's Burgers and Cream. The restaurant has been a favorite since 1993, offering burgers, breakfast platters, fried seafood and desserts. Grocery options include Family Dollar and DG Market, with more offerings in nearby Tuscaloosa.
Major roads connect Brookwood to Tuscaloosa and Birmingham
Alabama State Route 216 runs east to west through Brookwood. The community is also about 8 miles from Interstate 20. These major thoroughfares connect Brookwood to Tuscaloosa, 17 miles away. Tuscaloosa is also home to the nearest hospital, DCH Regional. Tuscaloosa National Airport is about 30 miles from Brookwood. The community is about 45 miles from Birmingham and the Birmingham Shuttlesworth-International Airport.
