Sterrett offers scenic, rural living outside Birmingham
The community of Sterrett is tucked into the hills of central Alabama some 30 miles east of Birmingham, far enough away from the busy city to attract those searching for a secluded feel and prices low enough for many first-time buyers. "When I was a kid, you'd go out there for a Sunday drive . . . those are good places just to go drive around and look at the leaves changing colors and that kind of stuff, says Realtor Sheila Pownall, who partners with her husband Kirk at Real Broker LLC. Resources are limited in Sterrett, so locals often head to the nearby suburb of Chelsea for the essentials.
Home styles vary, but most have private, wooded lots
Homes here are as varied as the hilly landscape, ranging from modest ranch-styles, bungalows and manufactured properties to luxury estates on the area lakes. Prices range from about $230,000 to more than $2 million, with lakefront properties on the higher end. This area shows an elevated risk of wildfires.
Most properties enjoy private, wooded lots. While some recent listings have included double-digit acreage, Pownall says that's less common, especially since there is not a lot of turnover. "What's more typical is a house that was built maybe 50 years ago with a couple acres," she says.
Horse stables, community playground and Alabama's biggest state park
Outdoor life also centers around Sterrett Park, a Shelby County facility with a playground and a covered picnic pavilion. Several horse stables anchor the area, offering opportunities to board the animals, take riding lessons and compete.
Less than 25 miles away is Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park at nearly 12,000 acres. Mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking are among the top activities, with a trail system spanning over 100 miles. Other offerings include an 18-hole golf course, educational programs, a BMX track, two swimming beaches, six fishing lakes and an archery range.
Shelby County Schools offers early college and career experiences
Shelby County Schools is one of the systems that serve the community; it earns an A-minus from Niche. Students can attend schools in Vincent, less than 10 miles away. The district provides a bus service between the communities. Vincent Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade and gets a B-plus from Niche. Vincent Middle High School serves students in sixth through 12th grade and earns a B. Middle-high schoolers can progress from pre-AP to AP classes and participate in work-based learning opportunities at approved job sites.
Chelsea’s local flavor and events draw Sterrett residents
Locally, Sterrett does not offer much in the way of shopping and dining, but Publix Supermarket, Aldi and Walmart Supercenter are all about 15 miles away in the growing suburb of Chelsea.
Aside from chains like Waffle House and Buffalo Wild Wings, Chelsea offers standout local restaurants. Station 31 Kitchen specializes in Southern fare but offers a varied menu with options such as fish and chips, seafood pasta and deconstructed shepherd's pie. Locals also turn to Chelsea for holiday celebrations like the annual Christmas parade. Chelseafest & the Big Kaboom features a live music stage, food trucks and a fireworks show on the last Saturday before the Fourth of July.
Sterrett is car-dependent with a state highway for commuters
Locals mainly rely on cars to get in and out of town, with State Route 25 serving as the main corridor. Interstate 20, County Road 55 and U.S. Route 280 also serve local commuters to Birmingham and Chelsea. There are no fixed bus routes here, but ClasTran provides paratransit services. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, less than 30 miles away, offers nonstop routes across the U.S. Emergency care and other inpatient and outpatient services are available at UAB St. Vincent's St. Clair hospital, less than 20 miles away.
