$539,658Average Value$456Average Price per Sq Ft57Homes For Sale
Home of the University of Alabama
Alabama founded its first public university in 1831, back when the state capital was still Tuscaloosa. The capital may have moved to Montgomery, but the University of Alabama remains the state's flagship university and Tuscaloosa's central institution. Students, faculty and staff often live in the so-called university area, which unfurls south and west of campus. However, even residents not rolling with the Tide still feed off the school’s energy and economy.
Enjoy a beautiful summer day in University Area.
Shop until you drop at the University Mall near University Area.
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Rolling with the Tide at Bryant-Denny
Tuscaloosa revolves around the university — especially in the areas around campus, and especially around football. One of the most decorated teams in college football history, the Crimson Tide plays at the newly christened Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Attendance regularly tops 100,000, as countless more descend upon the university for tailgating and other festivities. Residents of the university area also have access to events in downtown Tuscaloosa, from the Live at the Plaza concert series held over the summer at Government Plaza to more prominent musical acts at the riverside Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Every Saturday morning, the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market sets up at the Tuscaloosa River Market alongside the Riverwalk, featuring over 70 local vendors.
Take the family to enjoy Live at the Plaza in Downtown Tuscaloosa next to the University Area.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of University Area.
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Student housing and historic districts
While student housing monopolizes parts of the university area, established Colonial-style homes and cottages built as early as the 1920s occupy much of the western portion. Those homes — many of which are owned and occupied by permanent residents rather than students — sell from around $500,000 to $1.5 million, generally priced based on size and location. “The line right by Queen City Avenue is a high concentration of historic districts,” says Ashley Crites, executive director of the Office of Urban Development for the city of Tuscaloosa. “So you’ve got the university, you’ve got downtown and, smack in the middle, you’ve got the historic district homes. There have been some student-oriented developments, especially west of the stadium there, but the community wanted to get a handle on the density of those student developments.” Student-focused apartments and condos sit within a few blocks of campus, though development has slowed. Investors own many, and students’ families sometimes buy condos. Multiunit properties for investors start north of $1 million and can go as high as $3 million, while single units can go from the mid-$100,000s for one-bedroom condos to nearly $700,000 for two bedrooms.
Find a peaceful cottage in University Area.
Older large homes are a great investment in University Area.
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Nightlife on The Strip
University Boulevard heads east from downtown Tuscaloosa to campus, passing through the nightlife district known as The Strip. Iconic bars and restaurants like Buffalo Phil’s and the Houndstooth fill up with football fans on gamedays and with Alabama undergrads at just about any other time. Meanwhile, residents of the historic along Queen City Avenue will often walk to downtown Tuscaloosa for a night out. “It’s all really connected and walkable,” Crites says. “Downtown is vibrant and thriving, and people want to be down there now.” Restaurants like the Avenue Pub and Jalapenos Downtown Cocina are local favorites. University Town Center has a Publix for groceries, while The Shoppes at Legacy Park on the neighborhood's east side has The Fresh Market.
Grab a bite to eat at Wright's near University Area.
Shop for groceries at the Aldi near University Area.
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Attending Tuscaloosa City Schools
The university area is part of the Tuscaloosa City Schools district, with the neighborhood mainly zoned for University Place Elementary, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche. C-minus-rated Westlawn Middle School and C-rated Central High School also serve the neighborhood, with Central High offering the International Baccalaureate program. Many families send their children to private schools instead, including nearby Holy Spirit Catholic School, which receives an A-minus for kindergarten through 12th grade. The University of Alabama, which sits adjacent to the neighborhood, enrolls nearly 40,000 students.
West Lawn Middle School is a great place for kids.
University Place Elementary School takes pride in teaching kids in Forest Lake.
Kids love to learn at Central High School.
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Recreation at the Black Warrior River
Residents of the university area have plenty of parks to enjoy, especially toward the Black Warrior River. The Tuscaloosa River Walk follows the waterway with a paved path for walkers, joggers and bikers. The path leads 4 miles to the Park at Manderson Landing, which overlooks the river. Queen City Park is just across Jack Warner Parkway from the River Walk, featuring trails through the woods. Annette N. Shelby Park, at the southern end of the neighborhood, also offers walking paths and a splash pad.
Take your dog to play at Annette M. Shelby Park near Downtown Tuscaloosa.
Watch the boats go by from the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk in Downtown Tuscaloosa.
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Walkability to campus and downtown Tuscaloosa
One of the main draws for many living in the university area is its proximity and walkability to Tuscaloosa attractions, especially its namesake institution. While many residents are students, others are professors and staff members who can walk to work. Much of the western half of the neighborhood is also walkable to downtown Tuscaloosa. For drivers, Interstate 20 is the main highway through western Alabama, with on-ramps 2 miles from the neighborhood. I-20 leads 60 miles east to Birmingham, home of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, the nearest commercial airport, which serves destinations including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte.
Take a walk and admire the older homes in University Area.
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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University Area Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in University Area, Tuscaloosa sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in University Area, Tuscaloosa over the last 12 months is $408,450, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Live in the heart of it all at Champions Place Unit 205, a beautifully maintained second-floor condo offering the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and campus living. Just steps from The University of Alabama, this unit puts you right in the center of the action on game days and everything UA has to offer. Inside, you’ll find an open floor plan with 9-foot ceilings, granite countertops, and
Tuscaloosa’s Newest Condo Development! Whether you're buying for your student, investing, or want to be a chip shot from gameday—this is it! Located just 0.4 miles from Bryant-Denny Stadium, you can walk to campus, the stadium, and everything in between—all for under $215,000! You won’t find a better price this close to the action. Featuring an open floorplan on the second level, this unit is
Tuscaloosa’s Newest Condo Development! Whether you're buying for your student, investing, or want to be a chip shot from gameday—this is it! Located just 0.4 miles from Bryant-Denny Stadium, you can walk to campus, the stadium, and everything in between—all for under $215,000! You won’t find a better price this close to the action. Featuring an open floorplan on the second level, this unit is
Our apartments near the University of Alabama allow you to enjoy the best of Tuscaloosa from our central location that’s minutes from Downtown and just steps from UA campus. Our apartments offer the perfect UA student housing community for students looking for an ideal off-campus student experience. Enjoy a secure, gated community with spacious duplex and townhome-style apartments that feature
This one-level unit in a new construction triplex features 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths all on a single level.. Each bedroom has ts own bath.High-end finishes throughout,For added peace of mind, the unit comes equipped with Ring doorbells and security cameras, offering both students and parents extra reassurance when it comes to safety. This home also includes four dedicated parking spots
NOW LEASING FOR 2026-27! Secure your spot for next fall at the lowest rate of the year before it's gone! Tour & Score: We're now preleasing for fall 2026, and we've got a deal for you! Come see Vie at University Downs for yourself and sign your new lease within 72 hours of touring, and you'll receive $250 off rent! *One-time concession applies to new leases for 2026-27 only. Cannot be
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
