Highland Lakes offers parks, trails and view lots outside Birmingham
Highland Lakes is part of Birmingham's affluent southern suburbs, an area known for its upscale homes, highly rated school systems and natural setting in the Appalachian foothills. This planned community features several parks, trails and homes with lake and mountain views. Locals appreciate the peace of mind of guard-gated entrances and zoning for A-rated Oak Mountain schools. First established in the 1990s, the community continues to grow as new residents seek out a quieter lifestyle outside the city. Grocery stores and restaurants are within a few miles, and U.S. Highway 280 connects to Birmingham, about 16 miles northwest.
Spacious New Traditionals along lakes and mountain ridges
Larger, New Traditional properties are spread across the community, with Tudor elements such as steeply pitched roofs and brick facades with decorative wood trim. Decorative landscaping beds and neatly trimmed front lawns adjoin many homes. Some have waterfrontage along the area's small lakes, while others offer roughly 30-mile views. "Part of the neighborhood is on a ridge called Double Oak Mountain, so it has really pretty views," says Leah Ayers, an agent with RealtySouth. Prices typically start around $450,000 and can go up to about $1.7 million. HOA fees factor into monthly expenses.
The Oak Mountain pipeline includes A-rated schools
This area falls within Shelby County Schools' Oak Mountain Zone — a transition that happened in the 2022-2023 school year. Kids may attend Mt. Laurel Elementary, Oak Mountain Middle and Oak Mountain High, each school earning an A grade from Niche. High school offerings include 16 Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment classes at Jefferson State Community College. Students can also perform with the award-winning Spirit of Cahaba Marching Band or compete on class 7A athletics teams.
Community playgrounds and Alabama's largest state park
Locals enjoy built-in green spaces, including connected sidewalks, wooded trails, stocked lakes and community parks with playgrounds and gazebos. Nearly 12,000 acres of green space are within reach at the neighboring Oak Mountain State Park. It's popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, with over 100 miles of trails weaving through the hardwood bottoms landscape. Trails range from easy, short loops to more advanced paths with steep areas and rocks. Other amenities include an archery range, pickleball court and fishing and swimming lakes.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner staples on both sides of Highland Lakes
Restaurants and grocery stores border both sides of the community. Publix, Dick's Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby anchor the west side, joining a range of local Italian, Chinese and Mediterranean eateries. East 59 Café offers espresso drinks and sandwiches, and Grand Ticino serves Italian classics. Piggly Wiggly covers groceries on the east side, and Area 41 Pizza Company has been serving New York-style pies here since 2005. Ace Hardware also anchors this side.
Socials and seasonal celebrations throughout the year
The community calendar includes movies in the park, bingo socials for adults and food trucks throughout the year and seasonal celebrations like the annual Fall Festival, featuring a pumpkin patch and a petting zoo. The Independence Day Bash in July brings a bike parade, yard games and live music. The Highland Lakes Women's Club also gets creative with a Halloween Witches Run — a costumed parade through the community.
Commuters rely on cars but have easy access to U.S. Highway 280
Sidewalks add walkability, though locals mainly rely on cars for errands. Fixed bus routes aren't available here. U.S. Highway 280 borders the community and serves commuters to Birmingham, about 16 miles northwest. Residents can access the Brookwood Baptist Health freestanding emergency center, about 4 miles away, for urgent medical needs, while Grandview Medical Center offers comprehensive care about 7 miles away. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, about 20 miles away, serves many nonstop destinations across the U.S.
Shelby County offers a tornado alert system
Alabama is tornado-prone, and the neighboring Eagle Point community experienced significant damage from an EF3 event in 2021. Residents can receive emergency alterts through the county's ShelbyALerts system.
