The 8 best ways to enjoy our outdoors this spring
Spring is the time of year when we are all just itching to get outdoors and explore the freshly crisp prelude to summer. It’s when we start looking for every excuse we can to be outside, sit in the sun and just breathe in the fresh air. From hiking to planting, you will never run out of outdoor activities to partake in when you live with us, but here are 8 spring activities that we would love to share with you. 1. Access to Hiking. A brisk 5 miles away the outdoor adventurer can explore Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve which spans 1,038 acres on the eastern side of Jefferson County. Start your outdoor exploration at the closest trailhead found on the northwest corner of Irondale. 2. Private Patio/Balcony. One of the perks of living in one of our three villages is the fact that every resident has access to a private outdoor space. For those who choose a lower level, your apartment comes with roomy green space backing up to the woods. For those who choose a higher level, your apartment comes with a private balcony that flows effortlessly between several rooms inside the apartment; creating a natural indoor/outdoor living scenario. 3. Community Garden. For horticulturist, green thumbs, or even gardening newbies we have a special place for you to enjoy. All of our residents have access to raised bed garden plots that are well manicured and filled with fresh soil ready for you to plant your favorite garden goodies. 4. Public Dog Park. We would never forget our four legged residents as they are just as much a part of our family as they are yours. We’ve made it easy for them to enjoy the outdoors by building a safe space to get all that energy out. Our dog park is the perfect meet-up to visit their friends too. 5. Playgrounds. When families choose a place to live it’s often on the top of the list to be within walking distance of a park/playground. With sprawling grounds and an on-site playground we’ve made it quite convenient to walk over and enjoy a morning, evening or afternoon romp on our play gear. 6. Swimming. Our saltwater pool is opened and maintained year round so residents can splash, jump, or float around to their hearts content. Flanked by lush woods and adorned with patio trellises there is ample shade to take a break and read a book, listen to music or even nap. But we promise, our resort style setup will make our open-air space hard to resist. 7. Outdoor Entertaining. Accompanying the community pool area you’ll find a comfortable entertaining space fit for a crowd. Our residents are welcome to engage their guests as they cook, chat, eat and sip while gathered around the build in bar and seating arrangement under this pergola covered space. 8. Tennis Courts. For the athletic types, you have direct access to two professionally rated tennis courts on a first come, first serve basis to any resident ready to get their serve on. We hope whatever activities you choose, you are able enjoy every minute of your stay here at the Retreats at Mountain Brook!
7 Reasons you’ll love living here!
We’re Laid-back. It’s quite common to see us enjoying the grounds right along with residents. Whether it be at an event, cookout, gardening session or running around at the dog park. The atmosphere is just as casual no matter what setting you find our incredible agents or residents in. We’re Innovative. Our community comes with quite a few modern bells and whistles that include free WI-FI in the Residents Lounge and pool areas. You’ll also find electric vehicle charging stations outside our leasing offices. Inside, our apartment homes are wired for AT&T U-verse as well as outfitted with electric fireplaces. We’re Accessible. We are always available for you! 24/7 anytime, anywhere online customer service where you can also pay rent, submit service requests or email an associate at the business center. You can also find us at the leasing office Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sunday: 1pm – 5pm even if you just want to say “Hi!” Our location Rocks! Location is everything, and The Retreat at Mountain Brook has all the conveniences you need within minutes from home. We are nestled against the community of Mountain Brook, just off of Montevallo Road which is a quick trip to hip neighborhoods like Avondale, Crestline, Downtown, and Forest Park. Here you will find an abundance of entertainment, restaurants and shopping. We offer tons of space. We talk a lot about large, luxury living for less around here, and for good reason. We’ve done the math and have statistically proven we are, by far, the best value when it comes to apartment living in Birmingham, Alabama. In our recently reimagined 1, 2 & 3- bedroom apartment homes, everything from the closets, to the sunrooms are larger than most people expect them to be. To see for yourself, schedule a tour today. We’ve made it easy to relax. With peaceful, tree-studded surroundings, your resort- like space is great for curling up with a cup of coffee, glass of wine or book, and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. The sunrooms and patios offer residents the opportunity to cultivate a Zen-like space that you’ll never want to leave. We’re outdoor friendly. When residents arrive at The Retreat they will immediately find this luxury community revolves around the enjoyment of the open air with accessible walking trails, outdoor kitchens, playground, Pet Park, community garden and saltwater swimming pools. The Retreat is located adjacent to the Flora Johnston Nature Trail, giving residents even more possibilities for recharging in the rolling, forested hills, adjacent to the Mountain Brook community. Although we can come up with a lot more than 7 reasons to love our apartment villages, this is a pretty realistic snapshot of what life can be like when you choose to make The Retreat at Mountain Brook your home.
Discover Your Gym Life at Our Birmingham Alabama Apartments
Having a state of the art fitness center on site is a really convenient way to save you money on gym membership fees. As our sprawling community continues to receive state of the art expansions, we’ve spared no expense. With 24 hour access to cutting edge equipment such as Inspire Fitness products, you can can’t help but discover the easily accessible “Gym Life” you’ve been looking for. Our team is passionate about offering residents a superior living experience that can be seen in every aspect of our most recent communal upgrade. This is one of two resident lounges (one with a full fitness center) that we are developing to create comfortable community lounges within each of our villages. The newest center is located next to what will soon be the new leasing center and is approximately 2100 sq ft, overlooking pool and outdoor grilling station. The lounge also offers residents gourmet coffee, big screen TV, gathering space and free wifi. Some of the amenities that make apartment living so appealing can be found throughout our villages. These include perks you wouldn’t normally get if you rent house like gyms, pools, BBQ areas, ample parking and wooded grounds. Feel free to stop by to take alook at our developments. Experience the Difference! Contact us today to find your personalized gym life and so much more at, The Retreat at Mountain Brook.
Meet The Retreat at Mountain Brook Team
Meet the faces of The Retreat at Mountain Brook who love to make living fun! We believe that selfless service combined with a jolly disposition are necessary ingredients to create a home, instead of just a place to rest your head. Our mission is to make our residents delighted to brand us “A Place to Call Home.” Natausha Oakes – Property Manager Favorite Quote: “We aren’t in the business of leasing apartments. We are in the business of customer service! We are simply people serving people who just so happen to lease apartments in the process.” Fun Fact: I’ve never broken a bone! Personal Interests: I am obsessed with makeup and hair products! Favorite thing about being on the Retreat team: “There is no greater fulfillment than getting to do what you love daily! Thankfully, I get to see so many wonderful improvements made to an already beautiful community! I am so blessed that I get to be a part of these amazing changes and so lucky to get to share this experience with such a phenomenal team! I have never seen a more cohesive and passionate team than this, and some days it literally takes my breath away! Together we work, we laugh, and we succeed!” Chris Heintz – Assistant Manager Favorite Quote: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill Fun Fact: Has had a lot of random jobs over the years including driving the ice cream truck, construction, and touring the US & Europe with his boy band. Personal Interests: Music, theater, faith, and beating everyone at the card game Skip-Bo. Favorite thing about being on the Retreat team: Every day is a new adventure. But we get the job done, and have fun doing it. Brandon Conaway – Leasing Consultant Favorite Quote: Everyone dies but not everyone lives so live life to the fullest! Fun Fact: I have been around the world twice. Favorite thing about being on the Retreat Team: The daily adventures of providing great service to prospects and tenants. Koty Ray – Leasing Consultant Favorite Quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – Lao Tzu” Fun Fact: I’m a triplet blessed with a second chance at life. Personal Interests: To constantly improve the customer’s experience, by offering the best customer service in the Multifamily Industry. Favorite thing about being on the Retreat team: We are truly the definition of team and we always have each other backs. #family Danielle McClain – Assistant Property Manager Favorite Quote: “Go where you are loved. People who see the best in you bring out the best in you. Lupita Nyong’o Fun Fact: I was a cheerleader in middle, high school and college Personal Interests: I love Zumba did I say LOVE Zumba, I’m also a girly girl so I love shopping, going to get my nails done, and spa days Favorite thing about being on the Retreat team: I love how we are a Team, nothing is never too small or big for one of us to jump in and get the job done. We are one of the most professional and well-polished teams and I love being a part of it.
Our Doggie Date Ideas Are Cuter Than Kittens
If you have a dog you know you’re one of the luckiest people in the world! Dogs give and give waiting for your affection – a rub behind the ears, a pat on the head, and a little praise. They patiently (most of them) wait for you to get dressed and politely let you put their bling (leash) on for a morning potty break. Afterwards they’re eager for some morning “num-nums” and with all the dog-etiquette they can muster, gobble them down. Then, they watch as you dart between rooms getting ready for work while you run 15 minutes behind. Of course they don’t care, they sit there with unjudging eyes of adoration and a sense of joy just to be near you. After you’ve gone they eagerly wait for your return from a long day at work, and there is no question about how much you were missed. They don’t care if you messed up a huge presentation or spilled coffee. No, they want nothing more than to cuddle up with you and let your presence completely delight them. Spending a few weekday hours together can be unfulfilling, that’s why you need a “doggie date!” It’s your way of telling Brute, Pebble, Fifi or Treat that you really love them! We’ve scoured the Birmingham area to bring you the cutest spots to visit in order to truly bond with “man and woman’s best friend.” Start with the Park. Before you even leave the Retreat at Mountain Brook, kick off your date with a quick stop at our very own dog park located right behind our community garden off Sharpsburg Drive. As you head on your way there are quite a few other Birmingham bark parks that are well worth the visit. Close to The Retreat at Mountain Brook you two will find the Grants Mill Station Dog Park in the City of Irondale. This fenced 4-acre dog park, a favorite for area pet owners, is where you’ll enjoy designated areas for small and large pets, picnic tables and dog training equipment. Another great spot is the Loch Haven Dog Park. This well-kept park in Hoover boasts large separate areas for your cuddly buddies. One Yelp reviewer said “we cannot wait to go back….best thing yet: your fur baby is exhausted by the time you return home.” The downtown Railroad Park is a fantastic choice as well, with over 19 acres of open space covered with trails to help you get your exercise on! For extreme bark parkers, according to a forum post on Reddit, there’s a “secret” dog group that meets at Caldwell Park on Highland Ave every evening. This is not an official dog park, but rumor has it the dogs are well behaved and fun to play with. Eat some Treats. Once you’ve finished unleashing all that pent up love it’s time for both of you to grab some “din-din.” Whether you’re in the mood for burgers, tacos or pizza, there are many incredible pet friendly restaurants dotted around the city and ready to serve! Among local pet lovers the top pics are Chez LuLu & Black Market Bar who have both received a rating of 5 out of 5 bones by dog owners on BringFido. Click here to find the full list of eats for any appetite, but don’t forget to bring their kibble and a dish to serve it in. Want to connect with other like-minded dog lovers? Get social & document your “doggie date” by tagging #dogsofbham; a local group created by dog lovers for dog lovers of Birmingham, Alabama! Shop and Sniff. Leashed dogs of all sizes are welcome at The Market at Pepper Place every Saturday from April through December, rain or shine. This farmers market features local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and other edibles along with items from local artisans. The market welcomes dogs of all sizes and several vendors even place complimentary water bowls at their stand. We recommend outdoor enthusiasts bring their pup to The Mountain High Outfitters in Birmingham to scope out your gear for this year. While dog size isn’t a worry, make sure your leashed dog is well behaved before entering. Primp those Paws. Another stop on your doggy date must be to get your bestie groomed! Everyone loves that fresh cut feeling when getting up from the styling chair, dogs do too. A local favorite is Rub-a-Dub Dog Bath House & Spa based on their ability to literally take the stress out of grooming for both you and your dog! Cozy up. Cozy up in the car or on the couch while you watch a heartwarming, pet friendly movie. If you aren’t quite ready to head home, the Coyote Drive-in (located in Leeds) is very dog friendly. Both you and Fido will love the January 27 release of A Dog’s Purpose. Watch the official trailer HERE. For those who are worn out by all the running around, we totally understand that cozying up in your spacious apartment at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, in front of the fire, to classics like Turner and Hooch, Homeward Bound, or Benji may be more up your alley. As a pet friendly apartment community we always welcome you to stop by the leasing office for a treat anytime you and your pup would like!
5 New Year’s Resolutions We Can Help You Keep
Welcome to 2017! We love the New Year, just as much as we love Mondays. It’s the ultimate refresh button that anyone can push for a renewed chance at tackling that list of tasks that have been put off for far too long. In a recent survey BusinessWire discovered the most desirable resolutions in 2016. And its no surprise, but in 2017 the same top 5 are still very high on most people’s list. On the top of that list…”Enjoying life to the fullest!” Once we discovered the survey, we just had to see what else was on America’s list for most desirable resolutions, and we quickly learned that life here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook sets the perfect stage for you to accomplish this year’s most sought after goals. #5. Eating Healthy. It is no secret that healthy eating leads to a healthy life and if you’re looking to make the change, boy do we have a surprise for you! As you enter The Retreat at Mountain Brook on Sharpsburg Drive, you can’t miss our conveniently located large & accommodating community garden. Residents are encouraged to join in on the planting in our raised garden-beds, available year round, encouraging changes to eat more nutritiously. #4. Get Fit. For those planning to lose that pesky winter coat we’d like to point out that we have two community fitness centers equipped with the latest workout gear and machinery to ensure the best results! Want to switch your workout up? Residents also have direct access to two professionally rated tennis courts and three saltwater pools. #3. Spend more time with Family. We’ve got great amenities for your gatherings! Not only do we have the largest apartment homes in town (read SIZE MATTERS for details) with ample room to entertain, we have three resort-style saltwater pools with sundecks and cabanas, outdoor kitchens with stone wrapped grilling stations and a dining terrace available for resident use. Want something a bit more private? No problem. Choose between two clubhouses, each with a resident lounge and accessibility to free Wi-Fi so you can stream all the music you want! For families still growing, a walk over to one of our playgrounds is always a family favorite. #2. Save more, spend less. If you want an urban living experience in a beautifully appointed dwelling, with manicured tree-filled grounds, and a luxurious lifestyle, but want to stay within budget, then you’ll be glad to know there are no “gotcha’s” here! We offer the greatest return on your investment leaving you with more jingle in your pocket. Check out this blog about our sweet deals that include all the following community amenities. Gated Entry Community Garden 3 Saltwater Pools with Sundeck/Cabana Pool Side Outdoor Kitchen Grilling Stations with Dining Terrace 2 Tennis Courts 2 Clubhouses with Resident Lounge, Fitness Center and Balcony with Pool View Wi-Fi Available in Clubhouse and Pool Areas Play Ground Pet Park Electric Vehicle Charging Stations 24/7 Anytime, Anywhere Online Customer Service; Pay Rent, Submit Service Request or Email an Associate in the Business Center. #1. Live Life to the Fullest. As we evaluate time spent over the past year, most of us come to the realization that we are way too busy. We need to look for more ways to develop meaningful connections with those in our circles. To each of us, living life to the fullest looks very different; but it always comes back to improving relations. The best way to do that is by being a part of a community. We are so proud to learn our monthly community meals foster this year’s most desired goals. According to one of our residents: “As a lawyer, I work long hours – so when I come home, I want to enjoy the community. The Retreat at Mountain Brook offers social networking events like Taco Tuesday’s – all I have to do is show up. They do the rest.” We believe if you live here and implement the following resolutions, you will be on your way to enjoying life to the fullest! Contact Us to start fulfilling you 2017 resolutions, today!
see how we’ve been rockin’ around our community Christmas tree
We know how hectic the holidays can be, so we’d like to take a moment to update you on all the joyful festivities we’ve been having at The Retreat at Mountain Brook in celebration of this most beloved season! The month was kicked off when one of our creative residents started his annual tradition of making Alton Brown’s aged eggnog. This decadent nog takes nearly a month to make and from what Lee has told us, it’s well worth the wait! We can’t wait to try it! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get notified when it’s ready to drink! On December 13th we hosted our inaugural Gingerbread House Decorating Contest & Hot Cocoa Bar from 5-7PM at our comfortable community clubhouse. With quite a few community challengers it was a close call, but someone had to win the $25.00 gift card. Shout out to Lee Furnahn for the win! Go ahead and sharpen your decorating skills in 2017 and join us again next year! On December 14th we had another winner, Stephen Moore was the first to answer our holiday movie trivia quiz, bragging rights are all yours! Please stay tuned cinephiles, more trivia on the way! December isn’t the only month we have fun! We pride ourselves in how we spoil our residents with community events, outreach programs and special ways to say thanks all year round. Just check out what 2016 was like! Don’t miss out on all the fun in 2017! Subscribe to our Facebook Page & stay in the know!
12 Reasons You’ll want to live at our Birmingham Alabama Apartments
Although we can pretty much guarantee there are way more than 12 reasons to make our exceptional apartment community in Birmingham, Alabama your home, we decided to narrow it down to the top 12 most notable moments, that we adored experiencing with our residents. Without our residents, we could not have had the incredibly successful 2016 that we had! So, from the bottom of our heart…thank you, and enjoy! January: Putting on the final touches before opening our doors. February: Please join us in Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Newton! Our first lease at The Retreat at Mountain Brook! We can’t wait to hear what you love most about living here! #birminghamliving March: The community garden is underway as we finalize this eco friendly addition to our grounds. We are eternally grateful to the artist, Lydia Randolph Fine Art and Portraiture, who is persistently working on bringing this corner of the Retreat at Mountain Brook to life with a larger than life mural. #homegrown April: Thank you for seizing the day with us: to all our #GardenParty volunteers! Our community garden is well on its way and we are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our labor this summer! May: Many thanks to the UAB School of Optometry students for joining us at the spring apartment fair. The team here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook enjoyed letting our hair down and having some fun with all the incoming students. We hope you have a fabulous school year! June: Lots of time by the pool. What is happiness to you? #SummerIsHere July: Thanks so much to everyone who joined the launch of our newest community amenity, the #BarkPark, last week! We jumped, played and snacked with our new friends thanks to doggie treats from Fetch – A Treat Truck for Dogs #DogDaysOfSummer August: We had a great time at our #TacoTuesday Happy Hour this week! Everyone enjoyed the tacos and conversations while cheering on the USA in the 2016 Olympics! September: Rise & Shine! We were just thinking about how much fun we had when we got the chance to serve our residents breakfast today. October: A proud sponsor of The Greater Irondale Chamber of Commerce National Night Out 2016, with the Irondale Police and Fire Departments in historic downtown Irondale. November: Join us at the Pine Tree Country Club with the Greater Irondale Chamber of Commerce for our monthly networking luncheon. We’d love to see you here! Danielle & Koty. December: Meet The Retreat Leasing Team, looking ultra-professional and ready to conquer another awesome year. These are the friendly faces you’ll be greeted with when you visit our leasing office during your apartment search. Looking forward to seeing you here! If there is anything we can do to make your 2017 fabulous, we’d love to hear your thoughts. A heartfelt Happy Holiday’s, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from Brandon, Natausha, Danielle, Cheryl and Koty!
See why our location ROCKS!
If there is one thing history has taught us about real-estate, it is that location is still just as important now as it’s ever been. “Location, Location, Location” is a term credited to British real estate tycoon Lord Harold Samuel (1912-1987) however, it was used as early as 1926 by real-estate magazines in Chicago. Fast forward to 2017 and as the most beautifully situated apartment development in Birmingham, Alabama we are very proud of our “location, location, location.” We are so delightfully located on the outer edge of the Birmingham that you don’t quite feel like you’re in the city, but still close enough to participate in the town’s modern amenities. Our close proximity makes commute times to local hot spots one of the most compelling considerations for residents who choose to make The Retreat at Mountain Brook their apartment home. “Did you know this coming year the average American will spend 4.4 days commuting to work!” This figure is predicated on a study conducted by IndexMundi back in 2013, which calculated an average commute time of 25.5 minutes for US workers. The IndexMundi has “Sweet Home Alabama” 23rd on the list at 24.2 minutes commute time to work. When polling our current tenants, we discovered the average commute time from The Retreat is 14.7 minutes! That’s a nine & half minute difference lower than the state average, putting us at number 1 on the IndexMundi average commute time compared to national standards. Now it’s becoming clear why location truly is everything! Aside from the work commute times we’ve also charted driving times to some of the most notable destinations around the city. With so many great attractions found in The Magic City, we made an easy to reference infographic depicting the top locations local’s love to frequent based on drive time. Convinced now that The Retreat at Mountain Brook is an outstanding place to live? If so, click below to schedule a tour of the premier “location, location, location” because we know you’ll want to call it home the minute you do. CLICK NOW TO BOOK A TOUR!
In Birmingham Alabama, Apartment Size Matters!
If you’re looking to live in a large, luxurious apartment nestled within the community of Mountain Brook, Alabama; surrounded by beautifully wooded grounds close to exclusive neighborhoods, then our apartment floor plans will impress even the most well informed consumer. You’ll hear us talking a lot about Large, Luxury, Living for Less at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, and we want you to know we’ve done the math and have statistically proven we are by far the best value when it comes to apartment living in Birmingham, Alabama. The largest apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain Brook is The Augustine; a 3 BR/2B, is nearly 2000 sq. ft. That’s 445 sq. ft. more than our closest competitor. Our price per sq. ft. for that apartment home comes in at $0.81 per sq. ft., while our competitor’s average price per sq. ft. for a 3 BR/2B is $1.66 Next, The Lawrence: 2 Bedrooms and Loves to Entertain at roughly 1,448 sq. ft. That’s 297 sq. ft. more than our closest competitor. Our price per sq. ft. for that apartment home comes in at $0.81 per sq. ft., while our competitor’s average price per sq. ft. for a 2BR/2B is $1.53 Last, our economy size apartment, The Kent is 1 BR | 1.5 Baths and loves to get cozy at 1,100 – 1,300 sq. ft. That’s 606 sq. ft. more than our closest competitor; which is almost double the size! Our price per sq. ft. for that apartment home comes in at $0.81 per sq. ft., while our competitor’s average price per sq. ft. for a 1BR/1B is $1.41 You do the math. For a quick snapshot, just take a look at the following competitive analysis to illustrate our value: Of course, that’s not all we have to offer. We have a complimentary latte café, resident lounge with large screen TV, fitness center, gated entry, nearby hiking trails, wooded views, dog park, saltwater pools, outdoor kitchens, tennis courts, playground, valet trash pick-up, community wi-fi, AT & T UVerse, 24/7 online customer & an electric vehicle charging station. That’s quite a list. We also love to entertain our residents with dinners, wine tastings, breakfast to go, tailgate parties and lots, lots more. We’re open late and on weekends – so come let us show you around The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Long story short, the spaciousness of our floor plans are legendary. First time visitors are amazed with the size of our walk in closets, sun rooms, master bedrooms and living areas, so we welcome you to come experience it for yourself.
